July 23rd, 2022 (Nashville, TN): The latest moody grunge rock track from Justin Payne & Co. is set to stun music enthusiasts everywhere. “You’re So Subversive” is out now!
“You’re So Subversive” couples high energy guitar riffs and a driving drum beat with lyrics that are a clever indictment of vapid and over-important scenesters that one can find populating rock bars. Payne’s here to roll his eyes at these pretentious people and their overinflated egos. Even without that context, the song is still super catchy and a treat to listen to. The instrumental engenders feelings of running through busy city streets and poking fun at people who take themselves too seriously without anything to back up their assertions. Join that with Payne’s rich vocal tone and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an underground hit with the potential to strike the mainstream.
YOU’RE SO SUBVERSIVE
Produced by: Jeremy Bernstein and Justin Alan Payne
Recording Engineer: Jeremy Bernstein
Mixing: Jeremy Bernstein
Mastering: Bobbi Giel
Recorded, mixed, mastered, and plated at: Welcome to 1979 Studios
Justin Payne is best described as a musician, composer and performer, although he would describe himself as a “natural born underdog.” With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Payne has a wealth of musical and life experience that contributes to his depth and complexity as an artist. He studied music composition and classical violin at Bowling Green State University and graduated with degrees in History and Philosophy with both disciplines heavily influencing his lyrical and thematic style. Much of his discography has been centered around themes of devotion, love, community, angst towards corrupt institutions and people, as well as various flavors of social commentary all wrapped up in instrumentals typically pulling from the rock tradition.
His first self-released and self-produced EP, “Interstellar Vagabond,” released in 2014. It was a solo acoustic EP that led to his first major signing with a booking agent, two regional tours and two national routes. With the first incarnation of his band, Justin Payne & Co, a six song self-released and self-produced EP was released in 2016, titled “High Water”. This led to a regional solo tour and a co-tour with songwriter Zach Wilson. Payne started the next incarnation of his band in 2018; during this run, the band performed as headliners at the Black Swamp Arts Festival and recorded a full-length vinyl LP, “Season of Loss”, as well as securing a writeup in American Songwriter Magazine and a regional major-city band tour.
The latest incarnation of the band is stationed in Nashville and includes Payne on vocals and guitar, Marshall Fassino on second guitar, Dave Cerelli on bass guitar, and Eli Simon on drums. Their newest full-length LP, “underrated/overstimulated,” is currently in the works. Payne has performed all over the United States over the years; some of his favorite venues include 5 Spot in Nashville and Space in Evanston, IL. Live shows are fun and high energy, with a constant momentum and little time between tracks to keep that vibe going.
