🎸The Bites, Barroom Chaos, and Songs That Absolutely Don’t Suck
Welcome back, rockers! This week’s Songs That Don’t Suck isn’t just about listening to good music — it’s about meeting the makers. In this second-ever interview episode, host Mark Bradbourne sits down with all four members of The Bites — Jordy, Zach, Jono, and Mark — to talk about how they formed, what keeps their sound so undeniably fun, and why their live shows might be the most electric thing happening in rock today.
Whether you caught them opening for Sebastian Bach or streaming Squeeze on repeat, this is the behind-the-scenes look you didn’t know you needed.
🤘 The Bites Origin Story: From Viper Room to Vinyl
The band’s roots trace back to a serendipitous meeting on stage at the Viper Room in L.A., with Jordy and Jono bonding mid-performance. What followed was a barrage of high-energy gigs, the rise of a signature sound, and a partnership with Earache Records that kicked off a wild ride of touring and viral crowd engagement.
“We want people to hear a song and immediately go, ‘Oh, that’s The Bites.’” – Zach, on not chasing trends
Their debut record Squeeze was recorded in true pandemic-era fashion — DIY, at home, with Mark laying down drums to a click track and the rest layering in afterward. No label polish. No overthinking. Just raw rock with swagger and soul.
🥁 Why Rock Ain’t Dead — It Just Moved to the Stage
While a lot of artists are chasing algorithm-friendly virality, The Bites are laser-focused on creating unforgettable live experiences. From opening for legends to blowing minds at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s garage stage, the band makes every show count.
And their crowd interactions? Let’s just say they’ve autographed third nipples. Seriously.
“Rock and roll should be enjoyed live. It’s an energy.” – Jono
Whether they’re riffing mid-set or messing with tempo changes to surprise each other, the Bites treat every gig like it’s their last — and it shows.
👀 What’s Next: New Music, U.K. Shows, and Monster Madness
The band heads to the U.K. this month for Stone Dead Festival and a tour with Dead Daisies. While across the pond, they’re laying down fresh tracks that will form two upcoming EPs and eventually — fingers crossed — a new full-length release. Target date for the first single? Halloween 🎃 (if not sooner).
“We’ve got powerhouse smashes. They’re gonna be extra juicy.” – Jordy
And as if that weren’t enough, The Bites are booked for 2025’s Monsters of Rock Cruise, where they’ll share the seas with heavyweights and party animals alike.
🔥 Bonus Music Picks This Week
Even with a killer interview in the mix, Mark still delivered fresh tracks from new artists worth cranking:
🎹 “Obsession” – The Sprats
📍 From: UK
🎧 Sound: Bluesy rock, heavy on groove and piano à la The Doors
📝 Why It Slaps: Raw, infectious, and uniquely built without a bassist — the piano does all the heavy lifting. 400 monthly listeners? Criminal.
⚡ “Cave Paintings” – Himalayas
📍 From: Cardiff, Wales
🎧 Sound: Think Muse meets Queens of the Stone Age
📝 Why It Slaps: Chunky guitars, brooding vocals, and massive energy. An alt-rock beast of a track.
🎷 “In Your Eyes” – Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets
📍 From: Limerick, Ireland
🎧 Sound: Soulful, raspy, indie folk-pop with sax
📝 Why It Slaps: Emotional and melodic with subtle Southern rock vibes (seriously), this one hits right in the feels.
🧠 …from the interview…
🎤 “These songs are our action figures — we’re not just gonna put them on a shelf. We’re gonna have some fun.”
— Jono, on The Bites’ live shows
More Bites content is coming soon — both figuratively and literally. 🍽️ Stay tuned, subscribe, and keep searching for songs that don’t suck.
💬 Send recs: You find ‘em, Mark spins ‘em.
