Photo Credit: Blacktop Mojo
In the heart of East Texas, where the lines between Southern rock, metal, and grunge blur into something raw and untamed, Blacktop Mojo has carved out a sound that refuses to fit neatly into any one box. With whiskey-soaked vocals, thunderous grooves, and an uncompromising live presence, they’ve become a band that doesn’t just play rock and roll; they live it.
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From Whiskey to a Band of Brothers
Blacktop Mojo’s story began in 2012 when vocalist Matt James and drummer Nathan Gillis met at a concert. That night, fueled by a fair amount of whiskey, James invited Gillis to watch him perform at a local coffee shop. A few drinks later, the two found themselves jamming together, and James quickly realized Gillis was a powerhouse behind the kit. The foundation of the band was set.
With the addition of bassist Matt Curtis, lead guitarist Ryan Kiefer, and rhythm guitarist Kenneth Irwin, Blacktop Mojo took their first steps onto the Texas live circuit. But breaking through wasn’t easy. Playing heavy rock in a state dominated by country music meant winning over audiences who weren’t always interested in distorted guitars and grunge-inspired vocals. “Converting an audience that wants to hear country, that’ll help any band cut their teeth,” James recalls. “You’d get drunk rednecks throwing things at you.”
Rather than backing down, they dug in, refining their sound and sharpening their stage presence. By the time they released their debut album, I Am, in 2014, they were already known for their no-frills, high-energy performances.
No Way Home, No Plan B
The defining moment for the band came in 2017 while recording their second album, Burn The Ships. They made the bold decision to quit their day jobs and move into a house together, committing themselves fully to the music. The album title wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was a declaration of intent.
“We’d read about Hernán Cortés, the conquistador,” James explains. “He burned his ships so his soldiers had no way to retreat. The only choice was to move forward. At that point, we were all quitting our jobs and going all-in, so that theme really struck us.”
Their gamble paid off. That same year, Burn The Ships put them on the rock charts, with the single “Where The Wind Blows” climbing to No. 27 on Billboard and Mediabase. It was the first of many charting songs, including “Dream On” (No. 31, 2018) and “Can’t Sleep” (No. 27, 2019).
Surviving the Bon Jovi Test
One of their biggest career moments came in 2016 when they opened for Bon Jovi at the American Airlines Center. Before the show, Jon Bon Jovi himself shared a story with them.
“Their first big gig was with ZZ Top at Madison Square Garden,” James recalls. “Richie Sambora’s guitar didn’t make a sound when he started playing, and the crowd started chanting ‘ZZ Top! ZZ Top!’ Jon told us, ‘If we could make it through that, you guys can do this.’”
That moment was a turning point, proving they could hold their own in an arena setting. Since then, they’ve played hundreds of shows, steadily building a reputation for delivering explosive performances that feel like a throwback to rock’s golden era.
Texas Grit, No Backing Tracks
Blacktop Mojo doesn’t rely on fancy production or digital tricks. What fans hear on stage is exactly what the band plays, with no prerecorded tracks filling in the gaps. “When you come see us, you’re seeing rock and roll the way it used to be,” James says.
Their influences are clear—Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, ZZ Top—but their music carries its own identity. Southern blues, metal riffs, and grunge textures collide in a way that feels natural, not forced. While their sound is heavy, they don’t shy away from ballads, a nod to the hair metal bands James grew up with.
With 230,000 YouTube subscribers and 350,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the band continues to grow the old-fashioned way, through touring, sweating it out on stage, and earning fans one electrifying performance at a time. Currently on tour in the UK for March 2025, Blacktop Mojo is proving that rock and roll isn’t dead. It just needs a little whiskey, a lot of grit, and a band willing to burn the ships.
For those looking to experience Blacktop Mojo’s sound, their music is available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, and fans can stay connected through Instagram.
