Modern blues-rock trio The Cold Stares have released their highly anticipated seventh album “The Southern” via Mascot Records. Delving deep into their Southern roots for the first time on record, the album embodies a true reflection of their heritage. “Being Southern, for me, is more than an accent,” shares singer-guitarist Chris Tapp. “It’s about family and tradition.” Coinciding with the album release, the band has dropped a lyric video for their powerful new single, “Looking For A Fight,” a gritty anthem that channels the frustrations of the working class. The song taps into the current climate of societal unrest, where it seems every word spoken becomes a point of contention.
“This one sonically speaks to the lyrics of the song, so we knew we wanted something that really rocked, and to have a back section of the song that shifted and spoke to the lyrics,” says Tapp. “In an age where it seems everyone is offended by everything, this song is about speaking your mind and not being suppressed by the world around you. If you can’t win, you might as well be yourself. The back section of the song is directed at the politicians and greedy in our society that prey upon the working class.”
In “Looking For A Fight,” Tapp sings about the struggles of the everyday man, with lyrics that hit home for anyone feeling the pressures of today’s divided world. “Living ain’t easy when you’re trying to tow the line, this old world wants to leave you behind,” Tapp declares. Featuring raw in-studio footage of The Cold Stares, the lyric video for the song captures the intensity of the recording process and the genuine passion the band poured into this song.
Known for their explosive live shows and southern-bred authenticity, The Cold Stares continue to push the boundaries of blues-rock on “The Southern.” The album embodies themes of resilience, redemption, and heritage, all while retaining the band’s signature blend of fuzzed-out guitars, Zep-style riffs, and Delta blues nods. Formed in 2012 by Chris Tapp (guitar/vocals) and Brian Mullins (drums), the trio expanded their sonic scope by adding bassist Bryce Klueh in 2022. The group has earned critical acclaim from Classic Rock Magazine, No Depression, and American Songwriter while amassing a dedicated following through their unique sound and storytelling.
“Our version of the South is different,” says Tapp. “When Brian and I were young, we would sit in with these old guys at the local lodge, at the time they were still playing the old hits by Bad Company, Robin Trower, and AC/DC mixed in with country and southern rock – artists like the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. When I heard Free’s ‘All Right Now’ I thought they were from Georgia!”
“The Southern” has already been hailed as one of the band’s most personal works to date, with tracks like “Coming Home” and “Mortality Blues” drawing from Tapp’s own life experiences, including his survival from cancer. The album’s southern influence also pays homage to the band’s Western Kentucky roots, embracing the cultural and musical legacy that continues to shape them.
The Cold Stares have just finished a UK tour and on September 8th, the band will head back to the U.S. to kick off an extensive fall tour, starting with a performance at the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival in Pennsylvania on September 28th. The U.S. leg will take them across the country, including stops in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, before culminating in a special performance aboard the Legends of Rock Cruise in February 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit thecoldstares.com/.
