Review of Parker Barrow’s “Novocaine” Delivers a Southern Rock Rush That’s Impossible to Ignore

July 18, 2025 rocknews

Just what the doctor ordered—Parker Barrow’s latest single “Novocaine” lands with the force of a Southern storm, a blues-infused rock anthem that’s equal parts soul and swagger. Released July 18th to coincide with their UK tour, the Nashville-based outfit has once again proven why they’re one of the most electrifying new voices in Southern rock.

“Novocaine” follows April’s “Make It,” both of which will feature on the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album. If “Make It” was a promise, “Novocaine” is the payoff—a track that doesn’t just hit hard, it lingers.

“Novocaine is a masterclass in modern Southern rock—seductive, soulful, and unapologetically powerful.”

The song’s origins are as organic as its groove. Guitarist Alex Bender had the riff tucked away from a jam session years ago—a swung, chromatic lick that oozed bluesy tension. When drummer Dylan Turner paired it with lyrics he’d written without a melody, the chemistry was instant. “The soft minor intro to the exploding guitars was the perfect combination of soul and heavy,” Turner explains.

Producer Stephen McKnight added a Rhodes-style piano to the intro, giving the track a smoky, vintage vibe before the full band kicks in. The result is a dynamic, textured piece that breathes and bites. Acoustic guitars add rhythmic grit, while the solo—played on a Gibson Les Paul through a Wah pedal—injects expressive fire. Bender’s favorite moment? The pre-chorus chords, where augmented harmonies and a descending bass line flirt with dissonance before resolving in a chorus that hits like a freight train.

“Parker Barrow don’t just play Southern rock—they redefine it with every riff, every lyric, every live show.”

Vocally, Megan Kane delivers a performance that’s both raw and refined, soaring above the instrumentation with a power that recalls Janis Joplin and Susan Tedeschi. Turner’s drumming is thunderous yet precise, and Bender’s guitar work is both fiery and sophisticated. The full lineup—Bo Howard (bass), Will Tipton (guitar), and Eric Safka (keyboards)—rounds out a band that’s as tight as it is explosive.

“Once you witness the power in Megan Kane’s voice, there’s no turning back—then the sonic boom of the guitars hits, and you’re dragged deeper into Parker Barrow’s Southern rock storm.” – Rock News

“Novocaine allowed us to explore new songwriting territories,” says Bender. “It satisfies all the desires we love, without any of the guilt.” It’s a track that builds, breathes, and erupts—just like the legends Parker Barrow channel.

“With ‘Novocaine,’ Parker Barrow prove they’re not just torchbearers of Southern rock—they’re its future.”

The single arrives as Parker Barrow kick off their July UK tour, including a slot at Maid of Stone Festival and co-headline shows with Xander & The Peace Pirates. Their live shows are legendary—extended jams, emotional crescendos, and a stage presence that’s pure rock ’n’ roll. They’ve toured the US with Robert Jon & the Wreck, Them Dirty Roses, and the Kentucky Headhunters, earning a reputation as one of the most compelling live acts on the circuit.

July 2025 UK Tour Dates:

Thursday 17 July – Chester, The Live Rooms (co-headline with Xander & The Peace Pirates)
Friday 18 July – Nottingham, The Bodega (co-headline with Xander & The Peace Pirates)
Saturday 19 July – London, The Grace (special guest: Ashley Sherlock)
Sunday 20 July – Maid of Stone Festival, Kent

Tickets available at weareparkerbarrow.com/tour

And that’s just the beginning. Parker Barrow will return to the UK in November as special guests on The Damn Truth’s Winter tour, hitting venues from Norwich to Cardiff.

November 2025 UK Tour Dates:

Wednesday 12 November – Norwich, Waterfront Studio
Thursday 13 November – Leek, Foxlowe Arts Centre
Friday 14 November – Manchester, Academy
Saturday 15 November – Sheffield, Corporation
Sunday 16 November – Galashiels, Mac Arts
Monday 17 November – Glasgow, Oran Mor
Tuesday 18 November – Newcastle, The Cluny
Wednesday 19 November – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Thursday 20 November – Bedford, Esquires
Friday 21 November – London, Underworld
Saturday 22 November – Bridgwater, Cobblestones
Sunday 23 November – Cardiff, Globe

Tickets available at thegigcartel.com

Whether you’re a die-hard Southern rock fan or a newcomer to the genre, Parker Barrow’s “Novocaine” is a track that demands your attention. It’s not just a song—it’s a shot of adrenaline, a rush of emotion, and a promise of what’s to come.

Catch them live. Feel the energy. And let “Novocaine” remind you what rock ’n’ roll is supposed to feel like.