Look out San Antone, there’s a new rock n’ roll band in town.
The fresh project that is alt-rockers Jet Lag Motel have recently released their debut EP, No Vacancy. Stylistically, you might hear hints of Third Eye Blind, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Blue October and Fuel along with more pop-punk elements.
The rad sounds you’re hearing are courtesy of Brian Salmon (vocals, bass), Steven Jasik (guitars) and a revolving cast of friends and collaborators. Production, drums, and engineering on No Vacancy were done by Jason Murgo.
Kicking off the EP is “Better Place,” which immediately injects the listener with good vibes with its bubbly indie rock n’ roll instrumentation and catchy chorus. The organ used in the song is a great touch — along with the sharp tone of the lead guitar — making this a feel-good number that just screams summer fun in a song. For some reason it makes me think of the classic 90s movie Dazed and Confused (maybe it’s their Texas roots).
Following up the opening number is their December single, “Mexico,” which switches gears, leaning more into a mysterious kind of alt-rock energy, along with the delightfully unusual effects on Salmon’s vocals. Its chorus offers an anthemic vibe, especially as the song comes to a close.
Another song of note on the EP is the final track, “One,” which initially gave me diet B-Side Queens of the Stone Age vibes in the introductory instrumentation (but not so much vocally). Again the organ here is a nice touch, and the anthemic modern rock vibes stand out here. This song I found to have particularly impressive production qualities to it.
Jet Lag Motel formed in early 2024 when Salmon and Jasik got in a room together and realized they’d been chasing the same sound for years without knowing it. Songs came fast, and the band came faster. The sound is built on driving guitars, hooks that don’t let go, and vocals that cut through the noise.
No Vacancy is a killer introduction to these San Antonio rockers, and it offers a gut-punch cocktail of modern rock and alt-rock for those who — you guessed it — like to rock. The band has no plans of slowing down, already eager to share their follow up album, Baythorne Days, (produced by Taylor Carrol from Lit), which will release later this summer.
