| Matt Drenik | |
| Birth Name: | Matt Drenik |
| Alias: | Battleme |
| Origin: | Greenfield, IN, US |
| Instrument: | Guitar, bass, piano, vocals |
| Genre: | folk, garage, post-grunge, classic rock |
| Occupation: | Musician / Writer |
| Years Active: | 2004–present |
| Label: | El Camino Media, Sony Music Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Records, Get Loud, Trashy Moped Recordings, Maybe Records |
| Associated Acts: | Battleme Lions Matt Vondy |
| Website: | Drenik official website |
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 version of Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My" has over 50 million YouTube hits.
Drenik was also a contributing member to Los Angeles-based group The Forest Rangers, alongside Bob Thiele, Dave Kushner, and Katey Sagal.[1] They served as the house band for Sons of Anarchy. His song "Metal Heavy Lady" was featured in the game Guitar Hero 3.[2] Rolling Stone has written about his music,[3] as well as Billboard, Esquire, MTV,[4] Rock Sound,[5] Classic Rock magazine, Metal Hammer and others. In 2017, Classic Rock picked his song "Testament" as one of the year's best.[6] 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."[7]
Drenik has worked with dozens of acts as a producer, including a solo effort from Louise Post of alternative rock band Veruca Salt.[8] The first Battleme LP was produced by Ghostland Observatory's Thomas Turner. In addition to Post, Drenik has produced two albums by Seattle rock band Acid Tongue (band), as well as Grizzled Mighty, Charlie Hilton Blouse (band), Battleme, Danny Dodge, and others.
As a writer, he's contributed op-ed pieces to American Songwriter,[9] Magnet, Talkhouse,[10] and OPB Music.[11]