Whisky Stain’s ‘Do What You Came For’: A Blues-Punk Explosion Worth the Hype. Single Review.

27 December 2023 Andrew Ellis

The Facebook Intro of Nottingham-based duo Whisky Stain promises “Blues drenched riffs, hymn crushing hooks, and a mean blast of bloody punch drums”, and that’s exactly what you get on new single ‘Do What You Came For’.

The cover depicts two comedy dinosaurs, but this is very much up to date, vibrant music filled with punk rock energy, blues sensibility and sounding fresh and new.

Guitarist / vocalist Robert Lavington and drummer Luke Grainger have been making music since 2011 and have grown in stature with a strong fanbase.

The guitar- bass / drum sound is not new (see the White Stripes or Royal Blood) but this duo have a sound all of their own. The crunchy, angular guitar of Lavington to cuts through – it is both rhythmic and melodic.

The riff that starts ‘Do What You Came For ’sounds urgent, bluesy and punky all at the same time and sets the scene perfectly for just under 4 minutes of great hooks, driving drums and superb vocals. His voice sounds slightly distorted, and this only adds to the uniqueness of their sound.