AE Honick: The Grit and Groove of Modern Blues Rock
AE Honick is an American blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter known for his raw, soulful sound and electrifying live performances. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, his 2018 album Rusted Steel became a staple on independent rock radio and charted on the Billboard Blues Albums chart for over twelve consecutive weeks.
Early career
Born in 1985, Alexei "AE" Honick grew up immersed in the rich musical heritage of Chicago's South Side. He began playing guitar at age fourteen, drawing early inspiration from the city's blues legends before forming his first power trio, The Honick Effect, in 2006. The band self-released the EP South Side Grease in 2008, which caught the attention of the small but influential label Delta Groove Productions.
Breakthrough
AE Honick's national breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the single Mojo Wire, released through Delta Groove. The song's fusion of traditional blues shuffle with heavy rock distortion earned immediate rotation on satellite radio blues channels and led to a licensing deal for a major automotive advertising campaign. This momentum propelled his subsequent album, 2018's Rusted Steel, to sell over 50,000 copies in its first year, nearing gold certification status in several European markets.
Key tracks
Mojo Wire — This 2015 single defined his signature sound and became his first nationally recognized track.
Rusted Steel — The title track from his breakthrough album is a concert staple showcasing his searing guitar solos.
Black Cat Bone — A collaboration with veteran singer Lila D. Ray that expanded his audience within the traditional blues community.
Motor City Burn — This high-energy track is frequently used as the opener for his live sets.
Gravity's Pull — A slower, more introspective song that demonstrated his growth as a lyricist on his 2021 album Iron River.
Following the success of Rusted Steel, AE Honick toured extensively, sharing stages with acts like Gov't Mule and The Record Company. His 2021 follow-up, Iron River, was co-produced with engineer Sylvia Marks and debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. He has since collaborated on tracks with slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and contributed to the 2023 charity compilation Blues for the Brave.
Fans of AE Honick's gritty, guitar-driven style also frequently enjoy the work of similar American blues rock artists. Gary Clark Jr shares a similar approach to modernizing blues idioms with rock intensity. The Black Keys echo his use of raw, minimalist production and groove-centric songwriting. Joe Bonamassa represents another contemporary guitarist carrying the blues rock torch with technical prowess. The Record Company operates in a similar space of revitalizing classic blues rock for a modern audience.
AE Honick's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on classic rock FM stations that feature dedicated blues programs and on independent music radio stations focused on Americana and roots rock. His tracks are regularly included in the rotations of online rock radio streams that champion guitar-driven music, ensuring his work reaches both dedicated blues enthusiasts and broader rock audiences.
The music of AE Honick can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or listen to this compelling blues rock artist through the variety of radio stations available on onairium.com.
