Review by Manny Manson for MPM
There’s something undeniably rebellious about Parker Barrow, even before you’ve heard a note of ‘Make It’, their latest single. Named after the infamous criminal duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the bank robbing couple who plied their trade during the 1930’s Great Depression across the pond.
This Southern rock outfit not only borrow their names, they borrow the attitude, the danger, and the magnetic outlaw energy of this pair of gangster scoundrels. But instead of Tommy guns and getaway cars, they come armed with fuzz pedals, thunderous drums, and a swaggering, blues-drenched sound that stomps across glam, grit, and groove like it owns the place.
Right then who are Parker Barrow? They’re a Nashville based,6-piece, fronted by the commanding Megan Kane, whose voice is a heady mix of honey and gravel, equal parts soulful seductress and barnstorming banshee. She’s joined by her partner, Dylan Turner on drums, whose Bonham-esque pound keeps the engine roaring, and Alex Bender on guitar, who fills the air with sleazy licks, molten blues bends, and snarling, attitude-soaked riffs, along with Will Tipton (guitar), bassist, Bo Howard and keyboardist, Eric Safka. Together, they’ve crafted a sound that lands somewhere between Blackberry Smoke and Halestorm, with the flamboyance of Mötley Crüe and the bluesy dirt-under-the-fingernails authenticity of the Allman Brothers Band.
The bands debut album ‘Juke box Gypsies’ received rave reviews on its release in 2023, the lead single from the album, ‘Count Your Dollars’’ and the follow up single ‘Back to Birmingham’ racking up over a million views on YouTube
And ‘Make It?’ the outstanding new single from these Nashville based blues-infused Southern Rockers, has been released to the hungry world on April 11th, already, it has been added to Planet Rocks play list, and is going down a storm with listeners.
Well so what of it?
Well ‘Make It’ struts into the room like it’s already got the deal signed and the crowd screaming. From the opening crunch of guitar, it oozes glam-soaked confidence. The verses simmer with a tension that feels ready to snap, Megan riding a low-slung groove with effortless cool, until the chorus kicks in with a full-throttle, fist-in-the-air payoff that could blow the roof off a dive bar or a festival tent.
There’s a killer breakdown about two-thirds in, all swampy rhythm and guitar curls that tease and tempt before the band comes slamming back in. It’s the kind of moment that feels built for the stage, an “are you with us?” call to arms that the audience can’t help but answer. The solo that follows is pure blues sleaze: gritty, dirty, and absolutely perfect.
But what truly makes ‘Make It’ shine is the attitude. This isn’t a song begging for success; it’s daring it to catch up. It’s a rallying cry for the underdogs, the dreamers, the ones hustling through the haze of uncertainty with a shot of whiskey in one hand and a middle finger in the other. If you’ve ever screamed along to a Joan Jett record, lived for the dive-bar scene, or found salvation in a six-string riff, this one’s got your name all over it.
Parker Barrow’s appeal lies not just in their throwback roots, but in the way they rewire those influences into something now. There’s a southern soul at the heart of their music, but it’s dressed in black leather and draped in fringe, swaying somewhere between Muscle Shoals and the Sunset Strip.
Fans of gritty rock ‘n’ roll with a blues backbone and a glam sheen, think The Dead Daisies, Larkin Poe, or even a rawer Greta Van Fleet, will find ‘Make It’ an absolute jam. And for those new to Parker Barrow, this track is the perfect ignition point.
In short: ‘Make It’ doesn’t ask for permission. It kicks the door down, plugs in, and dares you not to move. One hell of a track from a band you’ll want to get on board with now,because if this single’s anything to go by, Parker Barrow isn’t just making it… they’re coming to take it.
Parker Barrow a dynamic Southern rock band led by the husband-and-wife duo of Megan Kane and Dylan Turner. Their music blends elements of rock, blues, soul, and country, creating a distinctive sound that has captivated audiences across the country. Since their formation in 2019, Parker Barrow has performed over 600 shows, earning a reputation for electrifying live performances and a dedicated fanbase.
This Year, the band are on the road in the U.S. performing concerts with Robert John & the Wreck, Them Dirty Roses, and The Kentucky Headhunters, and Feel. Their legendary shows are a well-oiled rock ‘n’ roll machine, captivating the crowds with their live presence and infectious energy. July this year they embark on their first ever U.K. tour…
Don’t miss your chance to see them live!
Parker Barrow’s ‘first-ever’ UK tour kicks off in July with dates including:
PARKER BARROW
JULY 2025 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
WWW.WEAREPARKERBARROW.COM/TOUR
CHESTER, THE LIVE ROOMS
THURSDAY 17 JULY 2025
CO-HEADLINE WITH XANDER & THE PEACE PIRATES
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1 Station Rd, Chester, CH1 3DR
NOTTINGHAM, THE BODEGA
FRIDAY 18 JULY 2025
CO-HEADLINE WITH XANDER & THE PEACE PIRATES
23 Pelham St, Nottingham, NG1 2ED
LONDON, THE GRACE
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025
SPECIAL GUEST – ASHLEY SHERLOCK
20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD
MAID OF STONE FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 20 JULY 2025
Tickets: www.maidofstonefestival.com
Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7RN
PARKER BARROW
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