LIGHTNING RULES Has Struck Again! Stream Their New “Gnarpeggiator” Single [Exclusive Premiere]

Lightning rules! Oh, and Lightning Rules rules too! We previously featured the Portland, Oregon-based trio via a FREE download of their “Degrees and Separation” single which has already racked up over 1,400 grabs. Now, with the pending March 9th release of their six-song Fossil Fuels EP (which can be pre-ordered here), we’re stoked to be premiering the thundering new single “Gnarpeggiator”!

Launched in late 2014 the heavy rockers — featuring Wess Willis (guitar, vox), Ryan Losli (drums), and Wil Shelton (bass) — know how to write puncy tunes loaded with hooks, meoldy and copious amounts of grit. Get stoked on their tunes below.

Frontman Wess Willis was kind enough to offer an exclusive quote about “Gnarpeggiator’s” backstory… “‘Gnarpeggiator’ was the last track we recorded and almost didn’t make it on the EP. We had not played it live and the only version was a bad practice demo at a too-fast tempo, but our producer was really psyched on it and encouraged us to give it a shot. We slowed it down and had the bass and drums establish a sturdier groove rather than try and chase the guitar. That contrast ultimately became one of the fundamental elements of the entire EP: the big Dave Grohl caveman drums bolstering the guitar frenzy.

“Lyrically, it’s exploring the freedom of giving up. I generally take a goonies-never-say-die, ride it to the bitter end approach to any situation. But a few personal experiences caused me to rethink that; maybe going down with the ship isn’t always all that noble and giving yourself permission to let go can be the better move.

“Musically, the inspiration for ‘Gnarpeggiator’ came about by chance. I accidentally double-timed a riff using a new pedal I’d purchased that day and really liked the sound. It was just so crazy and frenetic. When I started playing over it those first three riffs are what came out, so the core of the song took shape in about 10 minutes. This was actually a few years ago, so it technically predates any other Lightning Rules song. The bridge is supposed to evoke a sort of old-school video game, Sonic the Hedgehog feel. Live we use a looper and two amps to create the harmonized riff on one side then solo on the other. We also use the looper to recreate that opening new riff every time. I was really happy to be able to take a studio-friendly part and still translate it 100% at a show without using any kind of sample or having parts missing.

“All told, it’s a song that came together by a lot of random chances. But now it’s our absolute favorite to play live.”

Since you’re clearly into the band, check out their “Loud” music video.