Southern rock fury meets sludge desert rock on The Georgia Thunderbolts‘ new single ‘Overlord’. Yet, high and mighty as that sounds, the guys from Rome, Georgia, USA are sticking a pin in their own activities while also casting their eye on the world at large.
“Throughout history, we’ve seen people in power try to achieve their goals, and often it’s done in the wrong way,” noted vocalist TJ Lyle. “This song sheds some light on that subject. There is no need to belittle or harm anyone. We were put on this earth to love and support each other as brothers and sisters. Recently, it seems we’ve gone our separate ways from that. Let’s get back to love, respect and care. Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
Former school friends TJ Lyle (vocals), Riley Couzzourt and Logan Tolbert (guitars), Zach Everett (bass, guitar) and Bristol Perry (drums) debuted with a self-titled EP in 2020. The albums Can We Get A Witness (2021) and Rise Above It All (2024) followed, all on the Mascot Records label.
Accolades from the likes of Rolling Stone and Classic Rock magazine ensued, as did extensive touring across the USA and Europe. The band shared stages with Black Stone Cherry, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Betts Band, Blackberry Smoke, The Outlaws, The Kentucky Headhunters and more.
“I’ve always said and always will say: ‘If it all ended tomorrow, boys, we can’t complain one bit,'” Lyle reflected. “We have been blessed beyond measure and have done more and seen more than 90% of your average humans with this band.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other four guys in the world. I, along with the other four guys, am honoured to have met many people in the music industry, but Richard [Young] has got to be number one. Meeting Richard was one of my favourite parts of playing music professionally.”
The Georgia Thunderbolts‘ manager, Richard Young of The Kentucky Headhunters, has also served as the band’s mentor.
“He did amazing things for us in the industry, but as a person, friend, family member… I wouldn’t mind sitting around listening to him tell stories and hanging out with him all day,” Lyle continued. “That was one of my favourite parts of our journey. My other favourite part was the fans. You meet people far and wide, some that you have similarities with and some that you do not. It was always fun getting out and mingling after the shows, and it’s amazing how many down-to-earth people are out there.”
Looking back over the last ten years, drummer Perry said, “What a ride it’s been! Different countries, different states, and all the fans who have stood by us the whole way! We will never be able to thank them enough for sticking with us. The Strykers are the best!
“Touring has its challenges for all of us; the world around you still revolves, and real life and its demands take their toll. We’ve loved every minute being on stage and playing our music for you; we will miss it for sure.
“Please understand this was a very hard decision for us to take a break from touring. We want to thank all the bands and crews we met that are now our brothers from the road. We appreciate all the help and support from our manager, Richard Young, and our label, Mascot Records. My bandmates and I never knew how this journey would go, and it certainly exceeded the expectations of five guys from rural Georgia. We have been blessed. We love you all!”
In a nutshell, here are the facts: touring is something a band may love with all their heart, but it’s also a necessity, and it can become overwhelming, both financially with costs ever rising and personally. Not least with Lyle suffering a mild stroke just before they were due to embark on the band’s first UK tour. While he has fully recovered, at the time his health ultimately had to come first.
For now, The Georgia Thunderbolts as a band are taking a hiatus. Not from a lack of passion, but aware that ambition alone can’t outweigh the importance of family and its responsibilities. Despite this, in a short time they’ve collected a lifetime of memories and touched a million hearts.
“Though our futures may be uncertain, as we know life’s changes can bring, it’s wonderful to see that Mascot Records’ belief in our music is still upheld with the release of our single ‘Overlord’,” the band shared. “We’d like to express our undying love, appreciation and affection to all who have ridden along on this wonderful journey. God bless you all. Thanks for the memories.”
And that’s the story for now from The Georgia Thunderbolts, and a lesson for all young musicians.
