With his new single “Piece of the Action,” American singer-songwriter Rusty Reid proves that pure, unfiltered rock and roll still has the power to make you move. The track — the second single from his long-awaited “new/old” double album The Unreasonables — is exactly what Reid promises it to be: raw, primal, lustful, and unapologetically alive. It’s a throwback to the golden age of guitar-driven rock, yet it carries a timeless pulse that feels right at home in today’s indie scene.
Originally from Texas and now based in the Pacific Northwest, Rusty Reid has long been known for his thoughtful, genre-blending approach — weaving elements of folk, pop, country, and rock into songs that often explore philosophical or political themes. But The Unreasonables takes a detour from that reflective side. Instead, Reid strips things back to the essential thrill of rock itself: passion, rhythm, and instinct. There’s no overthinking here — just raw emotion and a desire to reconnect with the primal spark that first made rock music so irresistible.
“Piece of the Action” bursts out of the gate with driving guitars, a tight rhythm section, and Reid’s confident, slightly gritty vocals leading the charge. The song’s energy feels urgent but controlled — like a car revving just before it hits the highway. You can sense the joy of rediscovery in every riff and chord. It’s not just nostalgia for rock’s glory days; it’s a celebration of its staying power.
A big part of what makes this track shine is the musicianship. The Houston-based band behind Reid — described as a “crack group of musicians” — injects real fire into the recording. The standout here is guitarist Rick Poss, whose lead work elevates the track from solid rock to something truly electric. His solos slice through the mix with the kind of flair and emotion that recalls classic rock legends, yet it never feels dated. Instead, it feels earned — the sound of musicians who have lived and breathed this music for decades.
The story behind The Unreasonables adds another layer of intrigue. As Reid tells it, this collection of songs was recorded over 40 years ago, then left unreleased — a musical time capsule waiting to be opened. Now, decades later, he’s bringing it into the light, giving both old and new fans the chance to hear a band at its creative peak. That history gives “Piece of the Action” a sense of authenticity that you can’t fake. It’s not just a recreation of vintage rock — it is vintage rock, reborn.
Lyrically, the song embraces the classic rock ethos: romance, desire, and a little bit of danger. There’s swagger in the delivery but also sincerity — the kind of charm that comes from a songwriter who knows that the best rock and roll is about feeling first and foremost. Reid doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel here; instead, he polishes it, tunes it, and lets it spin freely.
In an era when much of rock has gone polished or pop-infused, “Piece of the Action” reminds us that sometimes the simplest formula — great guitars, driving drums, and unfiltered emotion — is still the most powerful. Rusty Reid has captured lightning in a bottle here: a timeless slice of rock energy that proves that passion never ages.
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