Founded over 40 years ago by founding member Mike Matney, the White Boy and the Average Rant Band has lasted the test of time since the release of their debut self-titled album.  Several hiatuses and breaks later, the band is back on the scene with “Holy Cow,” a single and video that was released on February 3, 2022.

This comeback is the latest in a long list of breaks in “transmission” for the band who saw itself disappear from the mainstream after their debut album. They would reappear in 2017 with a record deal with Heaven and Hell Records to reissue their first album. The next two years saw the band make strategic partnerships, tours, and projects, which culminated in the band’s sophomore effort, titled “Love my Ride.” 

The band was well on its way to embarking on a series of tours when the pandemic struck, which shattered their plans. 

Directly from Mike Matney, founder of the band:

“Being stuck on the farm and getting to spend time in my home studio was not necessarily a bad thing for me. However, I could not have anticipated the devastating personal loss of my mother. That loss, combined with the bombardment of images on the nightly news of the pandemic, riots in the streets, chaos and political unrest forced me to do some real soul searching. Raised a Southern Baptist in a small town, many a Sunday was spent listening to my mom playing the piano in church. It was comforting. Growing up a musician in the ’70s and ’80s I was greatly influenced by the hard rock music of the day. My Christian upbringing, the gospel music, my faith and my love of hard rock are all things I lean on during the lowest of times. These things were an inspiration to me and when I’m inspired I write. Writing and recording can be both catharsis and an obsession. Each song was painstakingly crafted over the course of the last two years. ‘Holy Cow’ represents 52 years of faith, musicianship and two years of total bs!!”

“While I am a Christian, my dad said it best, ‘Ya gotta live in this world.’ That philosophy impressed me greatly and shows upon my song-writing, from walking that fine line to fighting the demons we all face. I have always been one to hold my peace, so to speak, but ‘Holy Cow’ allows me to speak both artistically and spiritually, from my soul. And now, I’m praying for a louder voice.” 

“The title track ‘Holy Cow’ was recorded at my home studio in Southwest Virginia. I built it after I graduated from MTSU’s recording industry program in ’97. I was searching for a raw and bare-bones sound that is the band’s trademark. I also like that slight element of funk in it. I laid down the guitar riff first and the lyrics came over the next couple of weeks. After it all came together, I decided to try something new. Instead of mixing the songs myself or sending them off to one of my buddies in Nashville, I got on Fiverr and found a guy. After a lot of research, I landed on Oliver Wagner…in Taiwan of all places. I threw the stuff up on DropBox and Oliver worked his magic. I was impressed.”

“I brought Rambo (Darrell Gibson, Bass Player) and Hog (Jerry Hogeston, drummer) in on the video. Jerry was one of the original drummers for the band and Darrell has been with the band since 2017.” 

“For the video, I decided I would get on Fiverr again (I love Fiverr) and see what some of those guys could come up with. I would tell each one what I wanted and got video after video, then combined them. Afterwards, I brought in the guys and we did our parts. As for the main character (White Boy) well…I’d always toyed with the idea. It just seemed like the right time. I admit, having grown up in the shadow of Kiss and Alice Cooper, it was kind of fun doing the grease-paint thing. Lastly, I went looking for Cody Reid. This guy is a great filmmaker and editor. Cody and I became friends when Bluesdog, a harmonica player from the Canadian band Zed Head (which we both played in), introduced us. Bluesdog and Cody had worked on the set of the television show “Nashville” together. He and I had lost touch, so it was awesome that we were able to reconnect over this project. Cody was able to take what I had done and refine it even more.”

“Forty years building up to this point. Locked and loaded. Here we come!”