Blues/Rock Band Teskey Debut LP Review, White Wolf
Review by Roc Boyum
Introducing White Wolf, A New Take On Blues Rock
Passionate and distinctive, White Wolf — the debut CD from Teskey — expertly fuses elements of Blues, Alternative Rock, Pink Floyd-inspired Psychedelia, and Jazz. This album breathes new life into the Blues Rock genre, marking an impressive beginning for this captivating new blues rock band from Phoenix, Arizona.
Teskey are an riveting new blues rock band hailing from Phoenix, AZ. Formed in 2024 by guitarist and vocalist Brandon Teskey and drummer Brandon Gaddy, the band grew later that year with the addition of bassist Matt Baldwin and keyboardist Peter Murphy. Together, they released their debut album, White Wolf, on May 30, 2025.
This CD beautifully captures the spirit of Blues and Blues/Rock music by conveying the authentic emotions of the artist through a live studio recording that mirrors the experience of a live performance. This unrefined raw quality is precisely what Teskey aimed to express in their debut CD, accomplished without relying on multiple layered tracks or a “click track”—a rarity in today’s music scene.
Frank Zappa once remarked that blues music is a genre that should resonate with the natural ebb and flow of the musicians’ emotions. He believed that recording blues music with a metronomic click would contradict its very essence.
Brandon Teskey expressed his desire to record a CD that would capture the same raw sound on record as the legendary rock and blues musicians who paved the way to this organic way of recording on some of their records. Artists such as: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn and the early Delta and Chicago blues artists. These musicians often recorded their bands live to capture the band’s true essence, that is exactly the type of sound Teskey aimed to create a recording that celebrates the raw nature of music, which has nearly vanished in today’s modern recordings. As a result, the band has crafted a CD that allows listeners to relax and appreciate the music as if they were attending a live concert, without getting overly focused on the recording itself; letting the music take center stage.
Throughout the album, guitarist/vocalist Brandon Teskey showcases raw, powerful vocals that capture the essence of each story he conveys. The instrumentation and solos throughout the LP adopt a refreshing narrative style, focusing on conveying emotion rather than overwhelming the listener with technical prowess for its own sake. This musical philosophy aligns perfectly with the band’s recording and songwriting approach, offering the audience a cohesive experience that’s a perfect balance of something authentic and something new.
The CD features something for everyone with each listener arriving at the discovery of their own favorites, as each song will resonate on a personal level. The CD opens with the blues rocker White Wolf that immediately grabs you with the “in your face” approach. Some of my other favorites are gems tucked within the CD, tracks such as: “Shadow Side “and “Under the Sun“, which embody a genuine and straightforward blues rock vibe. Meanwhile, “Don’t Take My Angel” is an emotionally heavy, dark blues rocker that opens with dark and haunting guitar riffs that are followed by equally haunting vocals. Lyrically, the song is a gut wrenching plea to the powers that be – to not take his loved one away, while hinting that things have taken a turn for the worse. Teskey’s guitar solo is a tear jerker, expressing his pain within. The song concludes with his final plea and then ends, leaving one to wonder if his prayers were ever answered or did nature deal its final hand. The CD’s sole instrumental track, “Digital Window,” is a funky blues/rocker that would make a perfect opener for their live show. The song showcases each member presenting their melodic solos that will entertain and get the attention of any audience.
Teskey’s debut CD White Wolf is a solid blues/rocker that offers a modern edge while acknowledging the tradition from which blues music originated.
Check out Teskey on their website at https://teskeyband.com/ and get a copy of this rockin’ blues CD.
Ceck out Teskey’s upcoming shows here!
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