Tyler Read (Final Blog Posted)

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Before listening to Tyler Read’s new album, Hallelujiaville, one should look up the earliest chapters in rock history, specifically, the story of a young bluesman from Mississippi named Robert Johnson. Legend has it, in his teenage years, Robert found his way to the “Crossroads” where he met the Devil and made a deal, trading his mortal soul for the ability to play the blues.

It’s a theme that seems to appear, every now again, in Tyler Read’s newest opus, and for obvious reasons. Take the band’s story: young men raised in the traditional fashion of the ultra-conservative, Bible-belt south.

“MTV was banned at our house when we were growing up -- maybe it’s why we were drawn so strongly to music.” says Josh Johnson, lead singer. “When we started playing, people actually told me things like, ‘God is going to strike you boys down until you fail.’ I sort of feel like, early on, we went down to the Crossroads and begged the Devil to show up.”

Almost three years to the day that the band played its first show in 2003, it signed a deal with Immortal Records, but don’t assume that there’s an analogy there. Immortal Records closed its doors three months after Tyler Read released their debut album, Only Rock And Roll Can Save Us.

“I remember getting the call from our marketing director,” recalls Johnson, “he said that Immortal would be closing soon and wished the best of luck.”

This sort of thing is an occupational hazard, but for Tyler Read it meant finding themselves, through no fault of their own, without a record deal. But change is sometimes a good thing. The band decided to press on and were soon invited to open for multiplatinum acts like Chevelle, Shinedown, and Puddle Of Mudd. These were unlikely touring partners, but Tyler Read made the most of the opportunities, connecting with audiences old and young alike.

It was on the road, where the band started painting the broad strokes that eventually became “Hallelujiaville.” However, they’re hesitant about calling it a concept album, referring to it as mostly sketches drawn from the highways of Middle America.

“That’s actually where the name comes from,” says Josh, “We spent a huge amount of time in the Midwest, Texas, the Ohio river valley; it’s basically just a patchwork of songs written on the road, in the heart of America.”

After wrapping up their time on the road, the band decided to record their new material much closer to home, sitting on a swamp in South Louisiana. “The studio was perfect, it had a lot of old ghosts that I’m sure made their way onto the record,” laughs Brent Skinner. This studio (Dockside Studios in Maurice, LA) has achieved local notoriety for hosting a score of famous blues artists like B.B. King, as well as playing home to Scarlet Johansson’s recent album.

“You couldn’t ask for a better experience, it just got a little creepy at night.“ states lead guitarist, Chris Rimmer.

In its relatively short history, Tyler Read has managed to do some incredible things: touring most of the US (with two stops in Canada) and playing in front of massive audiences, but will Hallelujiaville be the catalyst that converts mainstream audiences?

Drummer, Jordan Johnson follows that question with this, “We think it’s the best thing we have ever done, period. We set out to make something we’re proud of, and we accomplished every bit of that goal.”

Hallelujiaville is out right now at Amazonmp3.com and Itunes now. It will also be available physically in Dec ‘09.

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Member Since:

August 31, 2004

Members:

Josh Johnson - vocals/guitar
Jordan Johnson - vocals/drums
Brent Skinner - guitar/keys
Chris Rimmer - guitar
Brandon(Nacho)Johnson - bass
....Videos Tyler Read - Baby's Got A Temper

Influences:

Queen, The Black Crowes, Zep, Sir Paul, St. John, Our great grandfather Robert Johnson, Pirates, and all sorts of beasts, tamed and untamed.