True crime aficionados have probably seen an Investigation Discovery (I.D.) network show called Evil Lives Here. This popular show has aired 154 episodes throughout sixteen seasons over the past nine years, telling harrowing tales of people who shared their lives with loved ones who gradually became murderers. Like many documentary shows, interviews and dramatic reenactments are interspersed with occasional moments where the show uses white text displayed on a black background to help forward the narrative. The calling card of Evil Lives Here, however, is the point in each episode when the text sets a foreboding tone with the words, But there had been signs…which then leads to the interviewee recounting the actions that had, in retrospect, indicated that something very dark and dangerous was amiss with their loved one long before they revealed themselves to be an actual killer.

I was reminded of this upon listening to “Lately,” the new single from Dallas based band, Burning Slow. No, the song has nothing to do with anything evil or dark – in fact, it’s as upbeat and feel-good as any tune I’ve ever heard. But if this super catchy reggae track serves as your introduction to this band like it did for me, don’t be fooled; Burning Slow is a reggae-rock band with musical stylings akin to The Expendables, who greatly influenced their sound. Just listening to “Lately,” though, one might not recognize that the group blends reggae with hard rock tones, because the only indication of this element of their music is a 12 second stretch just past the two-minute mark, when the one-drop beat and muted guitar notes are interrupted for heavy, reverb-laden guitar riffs. With that, it feels like the band is about to shift into high gear with a section of fast-paced rock n’ roll. However,  it’s just a tease. Instead, after a brief pause, they return with spirited singing of the chorus before reverting back to the merry, laid-back, roots reggae vibes.

But there had been signs…

Burning Slow consists of Matt Brodeur on lead guitar and vocals, Cody Duggan on guitar and vocals, Renzo Franco on bass, Collin Woodson pounding the kins, the dual threat Jeremy Lee playing keys and sax, and Colton Crews on percussion. The band takes the DIY approach, rehearsing and recording everything themselves at Strong Sound Studio in Waxahachie Texas.

All of the band members participate in composing songs.  “Our writing style usually consists of someone bringing an initial idea or chord progression and we collectively work out the structures in practice,” said drummer Collin Woodson.

That’s exactly what happened with “Lately” and, in fact, it was Woodson who, inspired by listening to early No Doubt albums, came up with a skeleton demo of the chords, bass line, and programmed drums. From that, everyone chimed in with their own personal take on the classic love song, ultimately ending up with lyrics about having a genuine admiration for someone you love.

According to Cody Duggan, “Collin brought a mostly complete demo that we solidified transitions and once that happened, everything took off.  The words just flew through us. We started with the chorus and melody which Matt came up with. Then, it was on to the verses which I wrote about my wife. Collin came up with the pre-chorus and we came up with the chorus lyrics shortly after as a group, which included our producer’s input as well. Some last tweaks here and there from the band that really made it flow. It was the fastest lyric session we ever experienced.”

The sun hits your eyes in the morning
We’re always pack and loaded
I’ll keep the heat on if you want
Cause I really don’t want to lose a single moment

It’s lost in tides in the ocean
Stuck in perpetual motion
I’m a star crashing out of the nights sky
No need to ask why, it’s all for you

So listen close ain’t no need to fuss
When life is tough you gotta open up
You got me feeling some type of way

I’ve been digging that look you been giving me lately
Like a sweet red wine
Toss around in the sheets we keeping it blazey
Just passing time

It don’t matter what we do
I just wanna keep on chasing the light
There is no wave I rather ride
As long as I ride with you

(Props to the band for using the term “blazey,” which I may have to adopt as a slang term of my own.)

The producer mentioned is the band’s friend, Mark LeBlanc. Matt Brodeur added, “Mark is the go-to engineer for reggae/rock and has played many shows with us over the years, also working with me at Strong Sound for the past year. So, it was a perfect fit!”

Looking ahead, the band has another 8 songs already recorded and plans to release an as-of-yet untitled album with “a lot of twists and turns” with each song “riding its own wave” early in 2025.