Tag: Grant Curless

Last weekend I posted Muddy Waters and found this band looking for High John de Conqueror… an African-American folk hero who is name-checked in some blues songs. I played this song and when he started to sing…I knew I liked them. “Johnny Conqueroo” is this band’s name.

Their first EP was released in 2015, with a full-length album right after titled “Washed Up” in 2016. The album consists of 10 songs that travel through a variety of sounds that are both catchy and organic. The lead singer’s name is Grant Curless and what a rock voice he has. Shawn Reynolds plays bass and Wils Quinn plays the drums.

At first, Johnny Conqueroo played at private parties and house concerts. But by their second year as a band, they began to play in clubs and other venues. In recent years, they have branched out to perform in places like Chicago, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, Alabama, and the Tri-State.  “Rock and Roll” is the second single from Johnny Conqueroo’s EP, “Taking it Easy.” I like this one a lot…it has a Kink’s like guitar riff and a terrific rock and roll voice.

Johnny Conqueroo is based out of Lexington Kentucky. He has a garage band type of sound. They were influenced by The Stooges, The Vines, and The Detroit Cobras. He is signed to Soul Step Records. According to Soul Step Records…this song was released in 2019. I’ve listened to his other songs…if you are a rock fan…you will like them. I’m excited to hear about this new band…or newer band who plays gritty rock and roll.

Grant Curless: “Some kid played a guitar recital at my school and that was when I decided that was where I needed to be, I started taking lessons at a guitar shop here in Lexington for a little bit and I was hooked. As we progressed, it was just Wils and me for a while, trying to feel out what we wanted to do musically and where we wanted to go. Later on we brought in Shawn, who didn’t play a lick of bass at the time. But we slowly showed him what to do and where to put his fingers and eventually it all worked out and we grew with each other. We have stayed together for these five years because of good friendships and it works because of dedication. We decided that we would meet every Saturday to practice and to not let it get away from us. Plus, it is fun, so it is hard for us not to do it.”

I couldn’t find the lyrics…but just enjoy it.

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