“Ain’t got no fancy job // But I got a guitar // I just wanna be on top // I just wanna be a rock ‘n roll star” (from opening track Rock ‘N Roll Star). Clearly, Rex Tycoon is on a mission. We’re talking about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based rockers Austin Reesman (guitar, vocals), Joey Tiberio (guitar), Keith Tucker (bass/vocals), and Jared Stalker (drums). Over the past five years, they’ve released a series of demos, singles, and EPs, but No Limit 2 Luv is their official debut album—ten vigorous songs that we should probably file under garage rock, but that could just as easily have been indie rock, power pop, or (post-)punk. Expect straightforward, grooving rhythms and energetic, effective guitar licks, along with insistent, potent vocals and quirky, clever lyrics. “Nine lives of black cats // Now tell me how lucky is that?” (from Bad News (Home To You)). Tough on the outside, but the underlying stories reveal a huge heart.

No Limit 2 Luv is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Smartpunk Records.

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