MARIETTA — TRUCKSTOP is more than just a band; it’s a statement. This rising heavy metal group formed during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic and now commands stages across Ohio and beyond.
The band consists of Dylan Hibberd and Jerry Larew Jr. on guitars, Justin Ewing on bass, Austin Erb on drums and vocals, and Nash Morris as lead singer.
Their music blends classic heavy metal with elements of nu-metal, hardcore, punk, thrash, and even 80s glam. They call it a “cornucopia of sounds.” TRUCKSTOP plays live with no backing tracks and no gimmicks — just pure energy, distortion, and sweat.
The band started in 2020 during the pandemic. Larew, Ewing, and Morris were hanging out at a lake when they began brainstorming band names. “Jerry suddenly said ‘Truckstop,’ and it just stuck,” Ewing recalled.
With venues closed due to COVID, the band used the downtime to write and record a full album before ever playing live. “By the time the world opened up, we were ready to go full force,” Larew said.
They soon added Austin Erb on drums. “He came over to jam, and within an hour we knew he was the one. We told him, ‘don’t leave,’” Larew said.
Dylan Hibberd, originally a fan from Cincinnati, joined as a full member after his previous band ended. “It just felt right,” he said.
Each band member has a favorite song. Ewing likes “Grape Season” for its softer tone. Larew prefers “Blood Witch” for its energy and guitar solo. Erb points to “Call of the Void” for its old-school vibe and the outro of “Nightstalker.” Hibberd enjoys “Space Games” for its bounce and energy, but also mentions “Poor Decisions,” an unreleased track that already gets fans singing along at live shows.
Their music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Pandora. They have released music videos for “Call of the Void,” “Toe Tag,” and their newest single, “You Better Run.” On social media, find them at @truckstopmusic on Instagram and “TRUCKSTOP” (all caps, one word) on other platforms.
Over the past year, TRUCKSTOP has gained momentum with packed shows locally and in cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Now, they are preparing for their first full tour. “Many bands do mini tours before they’re ready. We didn’t want to be that band playing for two people,” said Larew. “Now we’re ready.”
Recently, they shared the stage in their hometown with Indiana’s Damage and Detroit’s Riding with Killers. The lineup also featured a member of 90s rock band Sponge. TRUCKSTOP has a connection with Riding with Killers’ frontman and Taproot’s guitarist, Taylor Roberts, whom they met at a previous show and have kept in touch with.
“He remembered us and gave me a hug saying, ‘Hey man, how’s it going?’ That’s rare,” Larew said.
Upcoming shows include Cleveland’s Grog Shop, the Point Park Festival in Parkersburg on August 8, Discovery World on September 6, and Columbus’ Spacebar on July 19.
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