Deraps: ‘Deraps’

DERAPS
DERAPS
To be released on June 17, 2022 (Metalville Records)

Review:
Recently, Sleaze Roxx‘s own editor-in-chief Olivier caught up with guitarist/lead singer Jacob Deraps from the band Deraps. The three piece also includes bassist William Lachance, and drummer Josh Gallagher. The band is a throwback to 70’s and 80’s hard rock. I have to admit that the press release for the band turned me off. It was a bit over the top, filled with arrogance for a band that hasn’t paid their dues. The Sleaze Roxx interview inspired me to listen to the self-titled album and that ultimately led to this review.

It’s hard for me at times to embrace bands that could be the grandchildren of some of the musicians that created some of my favorite 80’s glam or hard rock records. The truth is those musicians are a dying breed and they are now legacy acts that release more often than not lackluster music or just stick to performing live these days. The future is in the youth. I’m aware of that. Deraps is one of the few bands that has gotten me excited about the future in a while. It’s like they’ve time traveled to the days of the 70’s and 80’s days of the Sunset Strip and took notes of all the strengths of the best of the best from those eras. They are disciples of Van Halen, much like Roxy Blue on their debut album. Wolfgang Van Halen isn’t continuing the tradition so why not Deraps?

Here’s what we learned from Deraps from the Sleaze Roxx interview, which is a great primer before you jump into the record. Jacob was asked about the moniker and whether it was influenced by Van Halen. “It’s similar to the Van Halen story as well. It was David Lee Roth who suggested the brothers to call the band Van Halen, because it has a nice unique sound to it. It was also Josh who suggested me to call the band Deraps, because it sounded cool and unique. So when Josh suggested that, I thought it was perfect.” Formed in 2017, Deraps is ready to take the world by storm. Now, I’m not going to compare Deraps to let’s say Van Halen, but it’s a damn fine effort nonetheless.

This debut album is jam packed with melodic riffs, solos executed to precision, and superb background vocals throughout. Deraps has all the trappings of a career defining debut album. Whether it’s the shredding guitar on “Invasion,” or the catchy debut single “Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll,” or the bombastic “Make Ya Groove,” the memorable “Veins of My Heart,” or the Van Halen-esque “Wild To The Woman,” or the slightly restrained “On My Mind”, the album has variety that’s so subtle that you don’t notice it at first because everything flows so well throughout. As an added bonus, Deraps has included a brilliant rendition of The Sweet‘s hit “Ballroom Blitz.” The song has been done to death, but Deraps‘ version is so fun, loose and refreshing that it’s noteworthy.

Track List:
01. Invasion
02. Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll
03. My Side of Town
04. Live Fast Die Slow
05. Veins of My Heart
06. Élizabeth
07. Make Ya Groove
08. Wild To The Woman
09. On My Mind
10. Fuck Off
11. Ballroom Blitz

Band Members:
Jacob Deraps – guitar, lead vocals
Josh Gallagher – drums, backing vocals, co-lead vocals
William Lachance – bass

Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook

Reviewed by Ruben Mosqueda for Sleaze Roxx, June 2022

Deraps‘ “Live Fast Die Slow” video:

Deraps‘ “My Side of Town” video:

Deraps‘ “Veins of My Heart” video: