7-26-2024
Editorial
Although the glory days of bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, 38 Special, and the Allman Brothers Band may be in the past, southern rock remains a cornerstone of American music. One of the bands keeping the guitar-driven flame burning in the genre is Ducain, a four-man wall of sound that could rival the intensity of Molly Hatchet.
Ducain was originally formed in the back half of the 2010s, and the band members clearly take their personal roots and infuse them into their individual playing styles, thoughtful songwriting, and energetic live performances. The down-home nature of Ducain’s members conveys the warm feeling of southern hospitality, much like the groups that preceded them in the genre. Ultimately, they are four hard-working individuals united by their love of jamming together.
The band is led by front man Jeremy Sargent, who hails from a long line of musicians. Sargent, a third-generation artist, learned music largely from his father. The song ‘Last Lonely Ride,’ featured on Ducain’s first EP in 2018, was re-released on their latest EP, ‘Bones,’ in 2024. The family ties to the song made it a fitting closing track on ‘Bones’ and a piece that will stay with the Sargent family forever.
Sargent’s voice isn’t the only one a listener may hear on a Ducain track, as drummer Jared Holley pulls double duty behind the kit. Often seen pounding the drums with Hulk-like aggression and power, Holley plays the Jerry Cantrell to Sargent’s Layne Staley, if Cantrell swapped his pick for drumsticks and spent some time in Appalachia. Holley rounds out vocal harmonies with his front man, while keeping the rhythm section in check. To no one’s surprise, making those contributions simultaneously takes some serious work. For Holley, the process is straightforward, but requires constant practice and mastering the art of multitasking.
Rich Mills, a longtime musician versed in various genres, anchors the rhythm section on bass. Mills infuses his background in gospel and worship music into his Ducain repertoire, serving as a crucial piece in the band’s southern rock puzzle. The diverse backgrounds of each band member, including Mills, contribute to a unique sound in the genre.
The musical influences of Ducain’s members are evident simply by listening to their catalog. The ‘Bones’ EP is a prominent example of Ducain paying homage to their inspirations. The record openly pays homage to the ‘MTV Unplugged’ specials that dominated the musical media landscape of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Ducain has crafted an established sound since powering onto the scene in 2018, but lead guitarist Austin Lewis is constantly trying to push the envelope with his preferred tone and approach to shredding the strings for the band. While Lewis is the only current member of Ducain that wasn’t a founding member, his youthful energy and drive make him a perfect addition to the group. While Lewis may never be completely satisfied with his sound, he seems to have found a comfortable balance.
In summary, Ducain keeps the ‘dirty south’ sound alive with soaring guitar arrangements, creative rhythms, and captivating raspy vocals. This four-man ensemble is another strong branch attached to the hefty oak tree that is known as southern rock. Ducain’s next performance takes place at The Loud in Huntington, West Virginia on July 31st. The band will take the stage in support of two national acts, Nonpoint and Black Stone Cherry. Not bad company, if you ask me.
For more music-related content, be sure to check out the “Music Posts” section of the website, which you can access here.
You can listen to the audio version of this story here.