The Cold Stares, a powerful trio hailing from Indiana, fuse blues rock, hard rock, and Americana into a raw and energetic sound, driven by heavy guitar riffs and soulful vocals. With a discography that showcases their evolution and a reputation for captivating live performances, they explore themes of resilience and Southern heritage through Chris Tapp's evocative songwriting.
The Cold Stares emerged as a dynamic power duo in 2010 from Indiana, later expanding into a trio. Founded by Chris Tapp (guitarist/vocalist) and Brian Mullins (drummer), they later welcomed bassist Bryce Klueh in 2022. Originating from Madisonville, Western Kentucky, Tapp and Mullins had been musical collaborators since their early 20s.
The Cold Stares are known for their distinctive blend of blues rock, hard rock, and southern rock, laced with elements of classic rock, stoner rock, and Americana. Their sound is characterized by heavy, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, bluesy vocals, and hard-driving drums, drawing comparisons to renowned acts like The Black Keys, The White Stripes, and Led Zeppelin. Despite starting as a duo, Tapp's guitar setup ingeniously delivers bass tones, enriching their sound with a robustness usually reserved for fuller bands.
The band's career highlights include winning the Hard Rock Cafe's "Ambassador's of Rock" contest in Nashville and achieving notable commercial success with their 2012 release, A Cold Wet Night and a Howling Wind, which topped Amazon Music's Blues Rock albums chart. Their music was widely featured in commercials for brands like Dodge and Monster Energy and in TV shows such as TNT's Animal Kingdom. Particularly notable was their track "Mojo Hand," used in the trailer for the video game Cyberpunk 2077, amassing over 10 million streams on YouTube.
Chris Tapp, the primary songwriter, crafts lyrics that reflect personal experiences and family history, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and Southern heritage. His songwriting is noted for its cinematic quality and dark, multi-layered narratives.
In 2022, The Cold Stares expanded into a trio, releasing their first album as a three-piece, Voices, in 2023. Their subsequent 2024 album, The Southern, delves deeper into their Southern roots and heritage.
The Cold Stares have solidified their reputation through raw, energetic live performances and a gritty blues-rock sound. They have gained a loyal fanbase through continuous touring, strategic sync placements, and a series of critically acclaimed albums.
