The Absurd’s Desert Double: “Told Ya So” and “Buddha Lizard” Serve Grunge with a Groovy Twist

Music Blog created by Grok X-AI:

Nashville’s hard rock scene has a new pack of misfits in The Absurd, a trio—Ben Foerg, Josh Loney, and Colin Jensen—who traded LA’s smog for Music City’s twang after the lockdown. With Michigan grit in their veins and a 2015 founding in their rearview, these self-styled “desert grunge for lovers” are kicking up dust with two standout tracks: “Told Ya So” and “Buddha Lizard.” Their visualizers are as warped as their sound, and with a Miley Cyrus cover video looming for July 4th, this duo of tunes proves they’re a band to watch. Buckle up for a wild ride through their sonic sandbox.

First up, “Told Ya So” hits like a sun-bleached brawl in the dunes. It’s a snarling, riff-heavy beast, all jagged edges and Foerg’s raspy howl, backed by Loney’s bass thump and Jensen’s relentless skins. The visualizer sets the scene: an old analog watch with Roman numerals, frozen at 12:12, half-submerged in shallow beach waves that lap over it lazily. It’s a hypnotic, sun-faded vibe—time stalled, grunge unbound—pairing their raw punch with a visual that’s as haunting as it is heavy. Released in late 2024, it’s a middle finger to doubt, a gritty “we’re here, deal with it” anthem that’s already rattling Nashville’s live cages.

Then there’s “Buddha Lizard,” a psychedelic curveball that slinks in with a mellow haze before exploding into a groovy, trippy bridge that’ll melt your mind. Imagine a stoner jam session crash-landing in a Zen garden—Foerg’s vocals weave through Loney’s bass rumble while Jensen’s drums keep it loose yet lethal. The visualizer seals the deal: a lizard posed Buddha-style, chill as hell, radiating cosmic calm amid swirling colors. It’s a track that’s equal parts heavy and heady, showcasing The Absurd’s knack for blending sludge with swagger.

What’s the glue here? These transplants don’t just play hard rock—they twist it, warp it, and make it their own. Formed in a rundown LA apartment with a laptop and a dream, they’ve hauled their “psychedelic, heavy, melodic” ethos cross-country, landing in Nashville’s underbelly. Fun fact: their name’s a nod to Albert Camus, but don’t expect existential lectures—they’d rather blast your eardrums than bore you with philosophy. Another tidbit? Josh Loney once busked on Hollywood Boulevard with a broken amp, earning enough for a burger and a bus ticket. Grit’s their currency.

And heads up: The Absurd’s got a treat brewing this summer. Come July 4th, they’re dropping a new video to complement their hard rock cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA”—think fireworks, distortion, and a whole lotta attitude. For now, “Told Ya So” and “Buddha Lizard” are your gateway to their world—two slices of desert-drenched defiance that prove this trio’s on the rise. Catch ’em live in Nashville before the secret gets out.

First up: Told Ya So

Desert Double Feature Bonus: Buddha Lizard

About The Author

Blake Walley

Blake Walley is a writer, reporter and producer. An idealist and truth-seeker obsessed with the future. A new media trailblazer and outside-the box-thinker. Former Las Vegas bartender influenced by Gonzo journalism. Inspired, eccentric, and always up for a challenge. Blake has been making waves for over 10 years with his original analysis and creative style.

See author's posts