When you think of rock stars, what comes to mind? The wild lifestyle, the late nights, and the notorious reputation often dominate the narrative. Yet, the Californian band Rival Sons flips this stereotype on its head. This four-piece ensemble is made up of individuals with unique backgrounds, including a devout Christian, a Hindu priest, and a follower of the Native American Red Road religion. They reject the traditional behaviors associated with rock music, deeming them "corny."
Guitarist Scott Holiday, speaking from his home studio in Huntington Beach, California, shares his own journey. “I went 12 years without even eating chocolate or drinking coffee,” he states with a hint of pride. Despite his rock star appearance, he embraces his identity as a Hare Krishna priest, a path he chose long before his rise to fame. Holiday acknowledges that the band's newfound success has influenced his lifestyle, but he insists that they often return to a clean, sober state.
Rival Sons’ music, however, is anything but clean-cut. Their sound is raw, funky, and powerful, reminiscent of legends like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. “Rock’n’roll forgot about blues and soul music,” says Holiday. “Those are its origins, and they’re going away at such a rapid rate. We want to be something that people don’t have to go through their old records to get.” As they carve their own path, Rival Sons are not just a band; they are a testament to the evolution of rock music.
