A Dirty Dozen with DREW CAGLE from DREW CAGLE & THE REPUTATION – February 2025

According to a recent press release: “Hard rock band Drew Cagle & The Reputation come out swinging with their new full-length album, entitled Bad Attitude. This eight-song collection comes three years after the band’s debut release, Haunted. Featuring a guest appearance on the title track from the legendary guitarist Tracii Guns (Guns N Roses and LA Guns), Bad Attitude combines passionate modern songwriting with the bold sound and swagger of the hard rock superstars from the 80’s. Drew Cagle & The Reputation is a high energy, no apologies, national touring rock band from Central Illinois. The band got its name The Reputation after Cagle decided to lean into the considerable ridicule he received in the beginning while attempting to perform his original music in a market primarily dominated by cover bands.” We get Drew to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our new album Bad Attitude is a pull no punches, in your face, straight up rock n roll record. It was inspired by the roadblocks & resistance I faced while trying to play original music in a market dominated by cover bands. It tells a story of the struggles of chasing your dreams, dealing with the trials of lost love, and learning how to move forward in the aftermath. Each song introduces a new theme & perspective throughout the album to tell a story of heartbreak & rebellion. Something you may not know is Bad Attitude was actually the name of a local band that my dad co-founded and played guitar for in the 90’s. Not only did his band inspire the name of the album & title track, but I also pay tribute to them by reimagining one of their old songs, “So Cold” as track 4 on the record!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My dad got me into music at a young age, he was always playing guitar around the house. He took me to go see Guns N Roses on one of the first shows of their Not In This Lifetime reunion tour in 2016, and that night changed my life.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

When I started out I was heavily influenced by a lot of the live bands I had seen at the time like: Guns N Roses, Cheap Trick, Styx, Def Leppard, The Struts, The Glorious Sons, The Rolling Stones, and many more. The more that these bands inspired me, the more I started to listen to all types of music with the intention to be inspired.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Guns N Roses, Don Henley, Garth Brooks, Avicii, and Billy Joel.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would’ve loved to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Warren Zevon, I think he had one of the greatest songwriting minds of all time.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d probably describe my music as songs written from the heart with really cool guitar solos. The comparison that always feels a little off to me is being called a Hair Metal or Glam Rock band. I’ve always felt that the music I make isn’t reserved for a specific sub-genre, it’s just rock n roll. While it’s definitely influenced by those bands, I see my songs as the music of tomorrow, not the music of yesterday.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

It honestly depends on who’s in the lineup of my backing band at the time, but in my experience on the road, Domino’s Cooks, Rhythm Section Drinks, and guitarists will always be the first to start an acoustic jam session.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Probably Tracii Guns, the first time we played with L.A. Guns. He’s one of the last guitar heroes out there, and to see our friendship go from being starstruck the first time I met him, to Tracii playing guitar on the title track of my new album has been one of the coolest experiences of my entire career!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is seeing my songs impact someone’s life the way my favorite bands did for me. There is no other dream job for me. But if I couldn’t be a musician, I would still try to have a job where I could create memories for people.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Yes, the Ray-Bans are real haha. Ironically, the question that I get tired of answering is the “what would you do if you weren’t a musician?” question only because I don’t have an answer. My whole life it has been musician or nothing. I’ve never wanted to be anything else.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

There are plenty of regrettable moments & mistakes that I’ve made in my life & career, but without them I wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn. So I don’t think I would re-do anything. With that being said, it probably would’ve been a good idea to get the transmission checked on our van before the All Figured Out Tour started though.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie. I think that record is one of the greatest albums of all time, and an absolute masterclass in storytelling and emotional expression. I don’t know if I could’ve really added much, but it would’ve been awesome to be a part of.

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Category: Interviews