Sunday Drunk

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the gritty Southern rock anthem "Sunday Drunk" by Them Dirty Roses for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, a fan favorite, captures the raw, unpolished energy of a weekend bender with its driving guitars and soulful vocals. In a 2022 interview with Rock and Blues Muse, lead singer James Ford shared that "Sunday Drunk" was inspired by real-life moments of cutting loose with friends, reflecting the band’s love for storytelling through music. He described it as a song about "living hard and loving harder," embodying the band’s ethos of authenticity and rebellion.

On social media, Them Dirty Roses’ Instagram has showcased behind-the-scenes glimpses of the song’s creation, including a post from 2021 where they shared a clip of an impromptu jam session that shaped the song’s iconic riff. Fans on their Facebook page have chimed in with stories of blasting "Sunday Drunk" during road trips or backyard barbecues, cementing its status as a modern Southern rock staple. One fan on X even called it “the ultimate hangover anthem,” noting how the song’s raw energy feels like a shot of whiskey on a rough morning. The band has also mentioned in a American Songwriter interview that the track’s gritty vibe was influenced by their Alabama roots, where small-town bars and late-night bonfires set the scene for its lyrics.

Them Dirty Roses got their start in Gadsden, Alabama, where brothers James Ford (vocals) and Frank Ford (drums), along with childhood friends Andrew Davis (guitar) and Ben Crain (bass), began jamming together as teenagers. According to their bio on their official website, the band was born out of a shared love for classic Southern rock acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, blended with a modern edge inspired by bands like Blackberry Smoke. They started playing local gigs at dive bars and biker rallies, honing their sound and building a loyal following through relentless touring. By 2012, they were a full-fledged band, self-releasing their debut EP and earning a reputation for high-energy live shows that blend Southern swagger with raw emotion.

The band’s rise wasn’t without struggle; their Facebook bio recounts how they funded early tours by scraping together cash from day jobs and small gigs. Their breakthrough came with the 2017 album Lost in the Valley of Hate & Love Vol. 1, which caught the attention of fans and critics alike for its unapologetic Southern rock revivalism. Today, they’re a staple in the Southern rock scene, with a growing fanbase that connects through platforms like the Them Dirty Roses Fans Facebook group, where supporters share concert photos, setlist predictions, and stories of meeting the band. Another fan hub, the unofficial Dirty Roses Fan Club website, offers tour updates and a forum for fans to swap merch and memories.

For the latest on Them Dirty Roses, check out their official website for tour dates and merch, follow their rowdy updates on Facebook, catch their gritty photo and video posts on Instagram, or join the conversation with Zoo Freaks and other fans on X. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new listener tuning in at THE ZOO, “Sunday Drunk” is a perfect introduction to the band’s unfiltered, Southern-fried sound.