Atomic Junkshot’s music has been called everything from alt-country to southern rock, honky-tonk to red dirt, rock 'n' roll to Americana. But the band is less concerned about labels and more interested in telling authentic, Midwest-inspired stories atop a gritty Americana blend of rock, outlaw county and blues.

Born in St. Louis by rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Aaron Perlut, Atomic Junkshot draws inspiration from a diverse cross-section of artists ranging from The Band to Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steve Earle to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Waylon Jennings, The Velvet Underground, Social Distortion and more. 

“There is something pretty retro about the way they’re getting to the hook ... and yet I’m quite hesitant to call any part of their framework steeped in old-school cues,” critic Chadwick Easton wrote in Melody Maker Magazine about the band. “The approach is as classic as it gets … exclusive and original in every department.”

Often compared to the Drive-By Truckers, Atomic Junkshot’s approach reflects the broad range of influences of its members which include Markus Everblus on lead guitar and harmonica, Clay Mudd on bass guitar, percussionist Brian McCary and Perlut.

“We're kind of an island of misfit toys who take our love of rock, country, and blues and pair it with a very personal lyrical edge,” said Perlut. “Some people say we have a little punk rock in us. I have no idea if that's true. What I do know is that our songs speak to our lives here in the Midwest—about things that interest us or piss us off, the experiences that have both damaged and raised us up, and the dysfunction we see every day.” 

Perlut’s songwriting is offbeat, admittedly wordy and the band’s straight forward rock- and country-inspired rhythms are designed to blend seamlessly with more complex rock and blues-derived leads. 

As one fan noted, the band's music is simple, pure and merely “perfect for family road trips and getaway cars alike.” 

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Read reviews about the band here on GigSalad.