Ain't No Rock and Roll

The song "Ain't No Rock and Roll" by Five Times August from their 2023 single release of the same name is a fiery pop-rock anthem that resonates with the Zoo Crew’s rebellious, truth-seeking vibe, striking a chord with Zoo Freaks who crave music with a message. The track, released by Baste Records, exploded online, racking up over 1.5 million views on X and 100,000 on YouTube, as noted in a post by the artist on X. In an interview with Highwire, songwriter Bradley James Skistimas shared that the song was inspired by his frustration with the music industry’s shift toward corporate conformity, especially during 2020 when he felt his rock heroes stayed silent amid rising “tyranny.” Lyrics like “all the punks gave the man control” call out mainstream artists, with fans on Reddit praising its bold critique of a genre they feel has “lost its soul.” An acoustic version also dropped, showcasing the song’s raw emotion.

Five Times August, the musical project of Bradley James Skistimas, began in Austin, Texas, where Skistimas started writing and performing as a teenager. His big break came when an MTV producer discovered his song “Better with You” on CD Baby, leading to its use on the show Laguna Beach. This exposure prompted Skistimas to release his debut album, Fry Street, in 2005 as a digital download, with every track landing on national TV channels like MTV, Oxygen, and CW. By 2007, an expanded version titled The Independent became the first album by an unsigned artist sold at Wal-Mart, a major milestone. Skistimas, a self-taught singer-songwriter, built his career on DIY hustle, blending introspective lyrics with pop-rock sensibilities, as detailed on his Facebook bio.

Fans can follow Five Times August on their official website, fivetimesaugust.com, for music, tour updates, and limited-edition vinyl like the 45rpm of “Ain’t No Rock and Roll.” Their Facebook page shares performance clips and fan interactions, while Instagram offers behind-the-scenes looks at Skistimas’s studio work and live shows. On X, the artist engages directly, celebrating milestones like the song’s chart return on Apple’s singer/songwriter list. While no dedicated fan websites or Facebook groups specifically for Five Times August fans are widely noted, communities on Reddit, like r/Wallstreetsilver and r/BobDylanCircleJerk, actively discuss and share the song, reflecting a growing, passionate fanbase vibing with its anti-establishment energy.