Nasty Passion returns with new music

Few musical eras have left quite such a recognisable mark on rock as the late 80s and early 90s Sunset Strip, where volume, attitude and dramatic performances helped define a powerful sound. Formed in Baltimore in 1985 by rhythm guitarist Vince McLean, Nasty Passion made its way to the heart of Hollywood in 1989, determined to make its mark on a scene built around unapologetic hard rock and high octane live music. Over time, the band earned a reputation through its memorable performances and the advnturous spirit that belonged to an era when rock was made to be experienced at full volume.

Now, after years apart, Nasty Passion are back, bringing that original chemistry into a new chapter; the reunion is built around a desire to recapture the fire that first defined the group while giving its signature sound a new perspective. With a long-awaited album on the way, the band are returning not merely to revisit an earlier moment but to put their music in front of a modern audience. Classic hard rock swagger now collides with modern production, with the experience of musicians who’ve spent years living with the music they play.

The current line-up brings together DJ Beatty on drums, Vince on rhythm guitar, Shawn Strachan on bass, Brian Coleman on lead guitar and Jsin Lynch on lead vocals. Each has a clear role in the band’s robust, guitar-led sound, with Brian’s commanding lead work cutting through Vince’s rhythm energy, while Shawn provides the low-end weight and DJ supplies the driving force. At the centre, Jsin delivers exhilarating vocal performances that gives the music its attitude and instantly memorable tone.

The first transmission of this return arrives with “Nasty,” the opening single from the band’s forthcoming eponymous studio album, set to land next month. It’s a gripping introduction to what Nasty Passion have come back to do: make loud, physical and melodic rock with the stage firmly in mind. The track carries the reckless charge associated with the group’s Sunset Strip origins, balancing gritty rock energy with infectious hooks and slick flashes of lead guitar.

The track is propelled by heavy, organic drums, recorded acoustically and given the space to deliver their full impact, creating a sense of momentum that recalls the scale and force of arena rock. Opened by the bite of a crunching guitar riff, the punch of drums injects a driving energy to form a lively hair metal-inflected aesthetic as Jsin’s rousing vocal leads enter to spin expressive melodic leads above the charing rock arrangement.

Packed full of twanging guitar rhythms and intricate lead licks, the track rolls with invigorating energy and timeless rock sound while gliding through a hazy breakdown driven by pulsing bass and dashed with airy harmonic notes. With Jsin building the energy back up, the track surges towards an anthemic finale to leave a lasting imrepession of the epic new single from Nasty Passion.

Marking their long awaited return in spectacular fashion, “Nasty” opens an exciting new chapter in the ongoing story of Nasty Passion and we can’t wait to see what else they’ve got in store. The band may have been away for years but “Nasty” arrives with the conviction of a group eager to bring its music to the world again. Thirty-five years on from the era that helped form their identity, they’re still reaching for the same combination of melody, volume and attitude.

With their highly anticipated debut full-length record on the way, the band is sure to continue winning over new listeners around the world with their captivating musical output. Mixed at the legendary Cherokee Studios with acclaimed engineer Bruce Robb and mastered by renowned mastering engineer Chris Bellman, the record aims to combine the band’s classic sound with a modern finish. It’s a meeting of past and present, presrving the grit and chemistry of the original musical identity while presenting it in a thrilling new setting.

Listen to Nasty below

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