TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN Having learned a few things from the big boys, they’re back with a blend of old-school and modern rock.

Tyler Bryant is fired up. But then so would you be if you’d recorded an album that never came out. That’s what happened to the Texan hotshot and his band The Shakedown last year. But they not letting it get them down.

What exactly happened with the album you finished but wasn’t released?

Tyler Bryant: Our record label at the time, Republic, wouldn’t put it out. It was the same old bullshit: “You guys don’t have a radio single, so therefore we’re not going to do anything.” So we decided to write another full-length album and put it out on a different label.

What does the new album sound like?

TB: A lot of the songs were developed after we toured with AC/DC. That gave us a better understanding of what works in bigger venues. Noah Denney (bass): After the AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses tours, you go: “How do you write a song to get the crowd really rabid?” I think it’s the best blend of old-school rock and modern rock we’ve done.

TB: We’re going to call it Tyler Bryant And The Shakedown – for us it’s a defining record.

What’s the biggest tune on the record?

ND: There’s a song called Don’t Mind The Blood. That song’s basically: if it takes me bleeding to achieve something for the greater good of humanity, then don’t mind the blood if it gets the job done.

TB: Jealous Me is maybe my favourite song on the record. It was written at a time when I was feeling protective of my girl: “Who’s that asshole hanging out with her while I was away?” But then I’m the asshole for thinking that.

Will we ever get to hear the unreleased record?

TB: I think we’ll work things out. My plan is to start a revolution. I want to get enough people together going: “We demand this music!” DE