Bobby Mahoney returns with a new single, “Smoke and Drive”, paired with a cover of Social Distortion’s “Machine Gun Blues”. The release finds the Asbury Park songwriter and his band channeling nostalgia, grit and heart through a rock and roll lens that’s both timeless and unmistakably Jersey. “‘Smoke and Drive’ was the title of a demo recording that producer and songwriter Matty Carlock sent me last year,” Mahoney says. “It was drums and guitars, and he had me write a melody and lyrics to the track. The song just screamed nostalgia to me, driving around with friends in high school or college on highways and single lane back roads. We had a great time ironing the song and production out with Matty and with Geoff Sanoff in NYC. Mark Masefield plays keys on the track and adds a beautiful dimension. We hope it reminds you of that time when…”
On the B-side, Mahoney and his band tackle Social Distortion’s “Machine Gun Blues”, a fan favorite live cover that finally found its way into the studio. “We love Social Distortion and have had fun covering ‘Machine Gun Blues’ live for a few years now,” Mahoney explains. “I think I first saw them play it on Conan a few years ago. It felt like the right time to pull the trigger on it, along with ‘Smoke and Drive’. Shout out to Social D!” The recordings feature Mahoney’s core lineup of James McIntosh on drums, Andrew Saul on guitars and backing vocals, Jon Chang-Soon on bass and backing vocals, and Mark Masefield on keys, with Matty Carlock and Geoff Sanoff contributing backing vocals. A fixture in the Asbury Park music scene, Mahoney has shared stages with Frank Turner, Against Me!, Steve Earle and Dave Hause, opened for Bon Jovi, and even jammed with Bruce Springsteen during multiple Light of Day Music Festivals benefiting Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP research.