The Van Halen News Desk has featured the young players Jacob Deraps, Josh Gallagher and William Lachance performing their excellent Van Halen covers over a dozen times. Our readers have watched them grow and mature into the solid power trio, entitled ‘Deraps’.
Well, their 11-song, self-titled debut album is released worldwide today! And as you might expect, its got a vibe and sound that channels early Van Halen, and fits right into your ’70s and ’80s good-time rock ‘n’ roll playlists.
And even though Deraps isn’t endorsed by, or affiliated with Van Halen, we at the Van Halen News Desk are happy to spread the word about their new album, and VanHalenStore.com is even selling their album for a limited time!
A lot of our readers have been rooting for them, so we’re happy to support them upon the release of this great album.
The Band:
Deraps is a young, up-and-coming rock’n’roll band consisting of Canadian guitarist and lead singer Jacob Deraps (winner of the 2016 Dweezil & Frank Zappa Fellowship Award), Canadian bassist William Lachance and Australian drummer Josh Gallagher. The band brings a breath of fresh air to the scene, with a sound, vibe and style that can be described as exceptional in this form.
Although Deraps always approach their music and performances seriously, they still always capture the sound and essence of rock ‘n’ roll. Deraps’ sound takes you right back to California’s Sunset Strip of the late 70s, when a new generation of bands rocked the global scene, led by Van Halen, who heavily influenced the musicians of Deraps.
The Album:
The self-titled explosive hard rock debut album was produced, recorded & mixed by Jacob Deraps & Josh Gallagher and mastered by Richard Addison at Ithaca Mastering, Montreal.
It combines 11 songs full of energetic rock’n’roll riffs, polished guitar solos and perfectly tuned harmony vocals.
From the opening salvo “Invasion” to the energetic debut single “Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll” (winner of Classic Rock Magazine Tracks of the Week), the stomping “Make Ya Groove”, the epic “Veins of my Heart”, the mellow Californian summer mood of “On My Mind” to a cover version of The Sweet’s world hit “Ballroom Blitz”, this first album already has what it takes to become a classic!
Tracklist
1) Invasion
2) Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll
3) My Side of Town
4) Live Fast Die Slow
5) Veins of My Heart
6) Elizabeth
7) Make Ya Groove
8) Wild to the Woman
9) On My Mind
10) Fuck Off
11) Ballroom Blitz
The Music Videos:
Four official music videos were released before the album’s launch. They will be followed by more this Summer. All four are embedded below:
Deraps – Live Fast Die Slow
Deraps – My Side of Town
Deraps – Veins of My Heart
Deraps – Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll
In this video, Deraps remind us of a young Van Halen. As they perform a live set in a bar, young girls and boys are dancing and going wild, while the band is delivering an intense performance of their new single, dressed like rockstars, fueled by blistering guitar licks, monstrous tones, Jack Daniel shots and badass attitude.
Jacob explains, ‘The song ‘’Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll’’ brings you into the atmosphere of what it’s like to be at one of our shows. It’s very loud, the energy is high, there’s sexual tension, there’s drugs and alcohol, we rock our asses off and it’s one big party. The entire video was done from parts of our live shows, from summer 2019. It was written about one particular night we did at a bar called Jack Saloon… except that it was written before it actually happened, and then it happened and we filmed it.’
The Album Reviews:
Reviews:
”From the first track “Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll” right through to the last, this album has excellent production values, superb performances, and really catchy tunes that will keep any Hard Rock fan smiling and stomping their feet. The guitar playing is great on every track, the vocals have lots of character and great harmonies to be the perfect frosting on the pound cake of a solid rhythm section. With such a strong debut album. It gives Hard Rock fans a lot to look forward to from these fantastic young musicians. Fans of guitar, Hard Rock and everything Rock 1970s-1990s, Deraps has it all! Be sure to check them out, and add this gem to your album collection. 8.8/10’’
(Metal Express Radio / U.S.A.)
‘’The big one this month is the unashamed seventies rock homage that is the debut album by Canadian hotshots Deraps… it’s plainly obvious that their main influence is Van Halen, but throw in a bit of Montrose, a dash of Extreme style harmonies and a whole dollop of guitar histrionics and you’ve a recipe for one of the tastiest new bands around at this moment…The results are superb, a real breath of fresh air…Check them out, you will not be disappointed.’’
(Powerplay Magazine / U.K.)
”(Deraps) may well be the hottest new band out there.”
‘’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…Deraps is one of the few bands that has gotten me excited about the future in a while.’’
(Sleaze Roxx / USA)
‘’If you want to relive the sensation you had from listening to those 70s classics you constantly have on rotation for the first time, look no further, because this record delivers, hard’’. Rating: 5 stars!.
( Sea of Tranquility / USA)
‘’They are able to perfectly embody the feel and spirit of rock n’ roll. The music of DERAPS transports listeners to the late 70s on California’s Sunset Strip.’’
(Infrared Magazine / USA)
‘’I highly recommend this for fans of the late 70s and 80s or who appreciate amazing guitarists”.
(Rock You Radio / USA)
”The young, explosive Canadian/Australian power-trio Deraps is already considered a small sensation in the hard rock scene.”
(Brave Words / Canada)
‘’ This first album already has what it takes to become a classic!’’
(Metal Shock Finland / Finland)
“A power-trio from Canada who’s clearly eaten Van Halen’s Hot for Teacher for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for the last year and had the best time ever…If you’re having half as much fun as these guys are right now, you’re doing something right – so keep doing it. Track of the week.’’
(Classic Rock Magazine / U.K.)
‘’One of the most promising rock bands in the world’’
(Metal Devastation Radio / Germany)
” Guitarist Jacob Deraps is already drawing the attention of rock stars around the globe”
(Lartis / Canada)
‘The first time I saw a video of Jacob Deraps my jaw dropped! He is one of the most natural players I have seen in a long time. He makes some of the most complex solos look effortless! I see Jacob as being one of the best young players out there that will for sure be around for a very long time.’‘
(Robert M. Knight, Photographer for the first Led Zeppelin world tour, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Slash, and many more…)
‘’These guys came to our soundcheck last year and we had them get up and play with us and they kicked ass. Great bunch of guys as well. Make sure to come check them out!”
(Steve Lukather: Guitarist for Toto, Ringo Starr, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, etc.)
Buy the Album!
You can pick up the new Deraps album directly from Van Halen Store for a limited time. Order it here.
Purchase the DERAPS album at VanHalenStore.com! (For a limited time).
Could these guys be one of the best rock bands to come? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
By the way, their 1st European Tour is coming up this Fall!
Connect with Deraps on their various platforms:Deraps Official Website
YouTube Channel
Facebook
Instagram
Spotify
Apple Music
