Lick Quarters: The Gritty Heart of American Garage Rock

Lick Quarters is a dynamic American garage rock band known for their raw, high-energy sound and relentless touring schedule. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, the group carved out a dedicated following in the 2010s, culminating in their breakthrough album Streetlight Buzz cracking the Billboard 200 chart.

Early career

Formed in 2008, Lick Quarters emerged from the same fertile Detroit rock scene that birthed legendary acts like The Stooges and The White Stripes. The founding trio—vocalist/guitarist Marla Vance, bassist Leo Chen, and drummer Kris "Hutch" Hutchinson—honed their explosive live show in local dive bars, self-releasing their debut EP, Asphalt Anthems, in 2010.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2015 with their second full-length album, Streetlight Buzz, released on the independent label Rust Belt Records. Fueled by relentless touring and critical acclaim from rock press, the album's lead single gained traction on alternative radio, propelling the LP to a debut at number 187 on the Billboard 200 and solidifying their national reputation.

Key tracks

Neon Shakes — This lead single from Streetlight Buzz became the band's signature track, receiving heavy rotation on college and alternative rock radio stations.

Motor City Burn — A gritty homage to their Detroit roots, this song is a staple of their incendiary live performances and a fan favorite.

Paper Crown — Showcasing a more melodic, blues-influenced side, this track demonstrated the band's songwriting depth beyond pure garage rock fury.

Static Queen — Featured in several television sports broadcasts, this high-octane song expanded their audience beyond the traditional rock circuit.

Following their breakthrough, Lick Quarters maintained a steady output, releasing the albums Copperhead Roadshow in 2018 and Gutter Stars in 2022. They have collaborated with notable producers like Al Sutton (Kid Rock, Greta Van Fleet) and shared stages with acts like The Von Bondies and Radio Moscow, further cementing their place in the modern rock landscape. Their music often draws comparisons to fellow raw, energetic acts from the American rock scene. For fans of Lick Quarters, check out The Stooges for the foundational Detroit garage punk sound. The blues-rock swagger of The White Stripes is another clear touchstone in their work. Explore Ty Segall for a similar devotion to prolific, fuzzed-out rock production. The driving rhythms of Queens Of The Stone Age also echo in their heavier riffs.

The band's catalog receives regular airplay on a variety of rock-focused radio stations, particularly on independent music radio stations and alternative rock radio stations that champion guitar-driven, authentic rock and roll. Their anthems are perfectly suited for the raw energy of classic rock FM stations and dedicated online rock radio streams.

Listeners can discover the powerful garage rock of Lick Quarters by tuning into the radio stations featured on our website. Their essential tracks are in regular rotation on the rock stations available on onairium.com, offering the perfect gateway to their high-voltage sound.