Warren Commission likes to define themselves as alt-rock adjacent– mixing the romance and nostalgia of early 2000s NYC rock with the girth and edge of desert rock. Think Interpol, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Strokes. After several missed connections over the last half-decade, the Pittsburgh duo of Tanay Kumta and Evan Lawrence finally began working together in late 2023 on what would become Warren Commission. After sifting through Tanay’s collection of 2 am post server shift demos, they drew a through-line that hit all of their biggest influences. ‘What if Queens of the Stone Age were from New York?’ After that realization, the two were full speed ahead.
Warren Commission combines their heavy rock tendencies with sleek melodies on their latest single, “Like I’m Driving.” The track brings an infectious energy that nods toward indie rock without falling victim to the tropes via their refreshing perspective and blistering tempos. On the surface, Warren Commission created a solid alt-rock tune perfect for solo walks and long car rides with friends, but the lyrics separate “Like I’m Driving” from its peers. The song evokes the warmth of familiarity while the spurts of fierce guitar work allow the vivid imagery of the lyrics to be emphasized and stand on their own. “Like I’m Driving” is an electrifying performance from a band that can pull influences from the world around them and filter them through their restless creativity for an unforgettable outing.
“If you really listen, you’ll realize we ask the same kind of question as our debut,” explains the band. “But this one really hones in on the story we vaguely hinted at in ‘Insane.’”
