Matt Drenik | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matt Drenik |
| Also known as | Battleme |
| Origin | Greenfield, IN, US |
| Genres | folk, garage, post-grunge, classic rock |
| Occupation | Musician / Writer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, bass, piano, vocals |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | El Camino Media, Sony Music Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Records, Get Loud, Trashy Moped Recordings, Maybe Records |
| Website | Drenik official website |
Matt Drenik (born June 18, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Drenik was the lead singer of Lions, a hard rock, post-grunge band from Austin, Texas. He also performs under the moniker Battleme, a folk rock project that he formed when he moved to Portland, Oregon in 2010. His songs have been featured in numerous American television shows and commercials, including dozens in FX's hit show Sons of Anarchy. His version of Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My" has over 50 million YouTube hits.
Drenik was also a contributing member to Los Angeles-based group The Forest Rangers, alongside Bob Thiele, Dave Kushner, and Katey Sagal.[1] They served as the house band for Sons of Anarchy. His song "Metal Heavy Lady" was featured in the game Guitar Hero 3.[2] Rolling Stone has written about his music,[3] as well as Billboard, Esquire, MTV,[4] Rock Sound,[5] Classic Rock magazine, Metal Hammer and others. In 2017, Classic Rock picked his song "Testament" as one of the year's best.[6] His most recent recording, "Cult Psychotica", received an 8 out of 10 on All Music with reviewer Matt Collar noting, "the album is a red-eyed collection of fuzzy rock anthems, all centered on Drenik's throaty, nasal-pitched sneer. What he lacks in outright vocal resonance, he makes up for with strutting rock attitude and literate, philosophical lyrics that are equal parts Lou Reed and Elliott Smith."[7]
Drenik has worked with dozens of acts as a producer, including a solo effort from Louise Post of alternative rock band Veruca Salt.[8] In addition to Post, Drenik has produced two albums by Seattle rock band Acid Tongue (band), as well as Grizzled Mighty, Charlie Hilton Blouse (band), Battleme, Danny Dodge, and Miller Campbell. His most recent work with Miller Campbell was featured in Spin's August 2024 print issue, as well as a world premiere for the single, All Night in SPIN,[9]
In 2018, Drenik took a role as Creative Director at Los Angeles-based music company, South Music.[10] Since joining the company, he has worked and overseen music campaigns for Nike, Google, Activision, Cadillac, Jeep, and AT&T.[11]
As a writer, he's contributed op-ed pieces to American Songwriter,[12] Magnet, Talkhouse,[13] and OPB Music.[14]
- ^ Daunt, Leslie (June 8, 2014). "Former Lions frontman Matt Drenik turns his personal battle into Battleme". AXS. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (February 24, 2009). "Lions". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
- ^ Gentile, Josh (January 24, 2014). "Battleme takes a mind-trip on "Nights on the Strand"". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Greenwald, David (March 18, 2012). "Video Premiere : Battleme, 'Touch'". MTV Buzzworthy. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012.
- ^ Newbound, Tim. "Lions – Let No One Fall". Rock Sound.
- ^ "Classic Rock Magazine (UK) includes "Testament" on 2017 Best of Playlist." BATTLEME. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ "Cult Psychotica, Battleme". All Music. October 27, 2017.
- ^ "Veruca Salt's Louise Post comes home". Chicago Reader. July 14, 2023.
- ^ "Song Premiere". Spin. June 20, 2024.
- ^ "South Music and Design". Adland. November 30, 2018.
- ^ "High-Stakes Match Play". Little Black Book. April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Us Vs. Them". American Songwriter. July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Trolling Is Over If You Want It". Talkhouse. August 1, 2018.
- ^ "Neko Vs. The Volcano". OPB Music. April 29, 2015.