ROCK SPRINGS – From “Tennessippi” to stages around the world, a national act will be meeting fans this Monday.

Saving Abel is currently rolling through the west and on Monday will have a day off from their schedule. They will be stopping and have a meet-and-greet for fans in Rock Springs at the Bareback Saloon Monday night.

Saving Abel has been through all the ups and downs the music business brings and despite a lineup change last year, are still bringing it. In November of 2014, the band released a brand new album Blood Stained Revolution.

The sound of the band comes from many different influences and places but remains Saving Abel’s vision.

“We are really a southern rock band and damn proud of it,” guitarist Scott Bartlett exclaimed.

 

Early Beginnings 

Two roads converged in 2004 when the band officially got its start. For Scott Bartlett, he was doing session work in Memphis, Tennessee. He had just landed a gig writing jingles in Maryland when his long-time producer said there was a group of guys in Mississippi  looking for a guitarist.

“He said it would be perfect for me,” Scott explained. “We met and have rolled it into 10 years now.”

The new band named Saving Abel started playing small gigs and developed a fan base over MySpace, when that was the trend around the internet world. The manager started shopping the band and Saving Abel was pitched to Virgin/Capitol.

While it was not instantaneous, Bartlett recalled how they found a home at Virgin/Capitol. The band had just written and recorded their chart-topping hit addicted. The label got a hold of the recording and called the president of the label. The recording was played over the phone while he happened to be finishing a round of golf. Bartlett said the President told the label to sign the band while still on the golf course.

After hearing the song, the band was immediately signed. Four years of hard work, small clubs and paying dues paid off in 2008 when Saving Abel’s self-titled debut was released. Addicted became the song which would launch the band as it hit No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs Charts. On June 15, 2009, the CD peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200.

The success led to a slot on Nickelback’s Dark Horse Tour along with bands Papa Roach and Hinder. They also played several shows with bands like Buckcherry, Hellyeah, 12 Stones and Creed.

Despite a busy touring schedule, the band worked on its second album Miss America. It was released in 2010 and the first single, Stupid Girl (Only In Hollywood), went to No. 7 on the Mainstream Rock Song chart. The song The Sex Is Good was later issued as the second single reaching the No. 1 spot on the same chart in January 2011.

In 2012, the band’s third album Bringing Down the Giant was released.

 

Line-up Change

In late 2013, the band embarked on a new journey. Bartlett explained like many bands recently, they faced life without a lead singer as Jared Weeks departed to pursue a solo career. Drummer Michael McManus also left the band at the same time leaving Bartlett, guitarist Jason Null and bassist Eric Taylor to decide what to do.

Music fans can think of several bands which split and all the drama which surrounded it. Bartlett said there was no animosity or drama surrounding the split of the band and everyone still remained friends.

The three left decided to carry on and soon Scotty Austin and Steven Pulley joined the band. Austin was also from the “sticks” in Tennessee and Bartlett said he fit right in with them.

“He is a like-minded redneck just like us,” Bartlett said.

Pulley also was from the same area as the other band members. He grew up in Memphis Tenn., and developed a love for music very early. His father was a session drummer in Memphis who played and recorded with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis.

It was a baptism by fire for the two new members as Bartlett said the band played 300 shows in 2014 with the new lineup.

 

New Record

While the band was blazing new trails in 2014, they also started work on a new record. Late in 2014, the band released its first album with the new lineup, Blood Stained Revolution. Bartlett said being “closet metal heads” they made the new record heavier than the first releases. Bartlett also explained while Weeks had one of those perfect pitch type voices, Austin’s is much more rough and raw which also added to the heavier sound.

The songwriting for the album was inspired by several things. Saving Abel has always had a love for the troops and have performed for them overseas several times. They also wrote songs about issues facing the world. Bartlett said by no means is the negative but has a much more positive message. Bartlett added he is “very proud” of the new album.

Even with the heavier sound, Bartlett said it still sounds like Saving Abel. He said one of the coolest ways he had the new album described to him was it sounds like Saving Abel is pissed off.

One of the things Bartlett said he is most proud of through it all is they have never comprised the music and always have stayed true to their vision.

 

Meet the Band

Currently, the band is touring the states and on Monday have a night off. Instead of hiding in hotel rooms, the band wants to meet you. One thing Bartlett said he absolutely does not understand or like is the rock star persona.

So on Monday, the band will stop in Rock Springs and will meet with fans at the Bare Back Saloon. They should arrive around eight but will be there the majority of the night. They will be talking with fans as well as selling merchandise.

Fans can wait at the Saloon as happy hour – which is buy one get one free – runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Remember you must be 21 to enter. Bartlett urged fans to keep watching the band’s Facebook page and they will keep fans posted on their stop in Rock Springs.

“We are not untouchable and want to share this with our fans,” Bartlett said. “Come down and party with Saving Abel until we can’t see.”