Southern Outlaw

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the gritty anthem Southern Outlaw by Stone Machine from their album Rock Ain’t Dead for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track is a standout, packed with crunchy, southern-fried riffs that stick in your head all day, as noted in a Metal Shock Finland review. The song’s raw energy channels a blend of classic rock influences, with lead guitarist Dirk Blevins delivering a “dirty-sweet Malcolm tone” reminiscent of AC/DC’s Malcolm Young, but played on a Les Paul, giving it a unique edge. The review also praises the song’s infectious quality, with riffs that linger long after the track ends, making it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s high-energy setlist.

Digging into the trivia, Southern Outlaw embodies the band’s unapologetic stance on keeping rock alive, a theme echoed in the album’s title track. According to Louder, the song’s straightforward, no-frills approach, paired with Jason Mays’ soulful, Paul Rodgers-style vocals, makes it a bourbon-soaked anthem for rock purists. While specific interviews about the song are scarce, the band’s Facebook page has shared fan comments calling it a “road-trip essential,” with one post highlighting a fan’s story of blasting it during a late-night drive through the Smoky Mountains, feeling like a true outlaw. The song’s rebellious spirit also aligns with the band’s ethos, as they’ve described their music as a middle finger to anyone claiming rock is dead.

Stone Machine hails from Huntington, West Virginia, a town known for its steel and oil industries, which seems to infuse their music with a gritty, working-class soul. Formed by Dirk Blevins (guitars, bass), Jason Mays (vocals), and Jeremy Hall (drums), with touring members Jamie Hall (bass, backing vocals) and Matt Parkins (guitar), the band started as a group of friends jamming in local bars. Their bio on Grooveyard Records details how they honed their sound in West Virginia’s dive bars, drawing inspiration from ‘70s rock giants like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Whitesnake. Blevins, the driving force, began playing guitar as a teen, teaching himself riffs from classic rock records. Mays, with his powerful voice, joined after singing in local cover bands, and the chemistry clicked, leading to their debut album and eventual signing with Grooveyard Records.

The band’s journey from bar gigs to releasing Rock Ain’t Dead in 2014 wasn’t without hurdles. According to a Metal Shock Finland review, their third album marked a culmination of years refining their sound, blending southern rock with British blues and funk. Social media posts on their Instagram show early photos of the band playing to small crowds in Huntington, with captions reflecting on late nights and “spilling beer on the amps.” Their persistence paid off, as Southern Outlaw and the album gained traction among rock fans, with Amazon listing it as a digital favorite for southern rock enthusiasts.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Stone Machine, their official website is www.stonemachineband.com, where you can find tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook for live updates and fan interactions, or check their Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots and throwback gig photos. Their X account shares quick updates and retweets from fans. For fan communities, the Stone Machine Fans Facebook Group is a solid spot for Zoo Freaks to join discussions, share concert stories, and swap playlists. While no major fan websites stand out, the band’s Last.fm page has a community section where fans post about tracks like Southern Outlaw, keeping the rock spirit alive.