Shotgun Sawyer: California's Gritty Rock 'n' Roll Outfit

Shotgun Sawyer is a hard-rocking power trio from the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. The band has carved a distinct niche with their raw, blues-infused rock sound, earning a dedicated following through relentless touring and a series of well-received independent releases.

Early career

Formed in 2012 in the gold country town of Auburn, California, the band's foundation is the partnership of guitarist/vocalist Brett "Sawyer" Dolan and drummer Dylan Jarman. Drawing from the deep well of 1970s rock and electric blues, they honed a loud and energetic live show. Their debut, the self-released Shotgun Sawyer EP, arrived in 2013, immediately establishing their gritty, riff-forward approach.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough moment arrived with their 2017 full-length album, Thunder & Truth, released on the independent label Kozmik Artifactz. The album captured the visceral energy of their live performances and received strong reviews within the rock and stoner rock communities. This release solidified their reputation as a formidable act in the modern rock scene, leading to tours across the United States and Europe.

Key tracks

Bury The Hatchet — This driving single from Thunder & Truth exemplifies their signature blend of catchy hooks and heavy guitar work.

Once A Time — A track showcasing their dynamic range, moving from a bluesy shuffle to a powerful, anthemic chorus.

Gold — A fan favorite from their early catalog, this song's swampy groove and lyrical nods to their California roots became a live staple.

The River — Featured on their 2020 album Bury The Hatchet, this track demonstrates their evolved songwriting with its expansive structure and melodic sensibility.

Following their breakthrough, Shotgun Sawyer continued to build momentum. They released the Bury The Hatchet LP in 2020, further refining their sound. The band has shared stages and developed a musical kinship with fellow rock acts like The Muggs and Mothership, reinforcing their place in the contemporary rock circuit. Their music prioritizes analog warmth and live energy, a conscious choice that connects them directly to rock's foundational eras.

Fans of the raw, riff-centric style of Radio Moscow will appreciate Shotgun Sawyer's psychedelic blues explorations. The boogie-rock drive of Nashville Pussy finds a cousin in their unapologetic stage energy. Listeners who enjoy the desert rock fuzz of Kyuss will recognize a similar tonal weight in their guitar sound. The classic rock swagger of AC/DC is also a clear touchstone in their direct, no-frills songwriting.

The music of Shotgun Sawyer is a regular feature on independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams that champion guitar-driven music. Their albums receive consistent airplay on specialty shows dedicated to stoner rock, blues rock, and classic hard rock formats, introducing their sound to new audiences daily.

You can hear the powerful rock 'n' roll of Shotgun Sawyer on radio stations featured right here. Listeners can discover and enjoy their catalog through the classic rock FM stations and alternative rock radio stations available on onairium.com.