Introduction
Matt Drenik (born June 18, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Drenik was the lead singer of Lions, a hard rock, post-grunge band from Austin, Texas. He also performs under the moniker Battleme, a folk rock project that he formed when he moved to Portland, Oregon in 2010. His songs have been featured in numerous American television shows and commercials, including dozens in FX's hit show Sons of Anarchy. His haunting version of Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My" has over 30 million YouTube hits.
Drenik was also a contributing member to Los Angeles-based group The Forest Rangers, alongside Bob Thiele, Dave Kushner, and Katy Sagal. They served as the house band for Sons of Anarchy. His song "Metal Heavy Lady" was featured in the game Guitar Hero 3. Rolling Stone has written about his music, as well as Billboard, Esquire, MTV, Rock Sound, Classic Rock magazine, Metal Hammer and many others. In 2017, Classic Rock picked his song "Testament" as one of the year's best. His most recent recording, "Cult Psychotica", received an 8 out of 10 on All Music with reviewer Matt Collar noting, "the album is a red-eyed collection of fuzzy rock anthems, all centered on Drenik's throaty, nasal-pitched sneer. What he lacks in outright vocal resonance, he makes up for with strutting rock attitude and literate, philosophical lyrics that are equal parts Lou Reed and Elliott Smith." He's toured with Monster Magnet, Blue Cheer, Metric, Veruca Salt, Toadies and many more.
Drenik has worked with dozens of acts as a producer, including a solo effort from Aaron Behrens of Austin-based band Ghostland Observatory. The first Battleme LP was produced by Ghostland Observatory's Thomas Turner.
As a writer, he's contributed op-ed pieces to American Songwriter, Magnet, Talkhouse, and OPB Music.
He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He is founder and co-owner of the Portland, OR record label and recording studio, Get Loud.
With Lions
- Volume 1 (2006 EP)
- No Generation (2007 LP)
- Let No One Fall (2009 EP)
With Battleme
- Big Score (2009 EP)
- Battleme (2012 LP)
- Touch (2012 single)
- Weight on the Brain (2013 EP)
- Future Runs Magnetic (2014 LP)
- Habitual Love Songs (2016)
- Cult Psychotia (2017)
Production
- Battleme
- Acid Tongue
- Chief White Lightning
- El Madre (Louise Post of Veruca Salt)
- Danny Dodge
- Aaron Behrens (Ghostland Observatory)
- Charlie Hilton (Blouse)
- Grizzled Mighty
- The Furies
- Jesse Vain
- Far Lands
- Felix Rose
- Hairy Patt Band
- Moon Darling