Original Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch left his famous former band in 1994, and now, three decades later, Lynch has returned with a new group called The Speaker Wars.
Videos by American Songwriter
Co-founded by Lynch and Texas singer/songwriter Jon Christopher Davis, The Speaker Wars released their self-titled debut album on Friday, May 30.
After his departure from The Heartbreakers, Stan launched a long and successful career as an in-demand songwriter and producer. When Lynch first was introduced to Davis, the two men were in Nashville writing songs, and they began collaborating on material for what initially was intended to be a solo album by Jon.
In an exclusive interview with American Songwriter, Lynch reflected on what drew him to collaborate with Davis. “Jon was full energy and fire, and we had the same references, musically,” he explained. “Jon and I dug everything from gospel to early country to Steppenwolf.”
Lynch noted that Davis soon began bugging him to start playing drums behind him, and also suggested that instead of working on a solo album, they form a band.
“[H]e finally wore me out,” Stan said. “I just said, ‘Well, sure. Why not? What do we got to lose?’”
In putting together The Speaker Wars, Lynch said he and Davis “went through a few people to find the cream of the crop.” Stan noted that Jon also already had some musicians he played with in Texas. Rounding out the band’s lineup are guitarist Jay Michael Smith, bassist Brian Patterson, percussionist Steve Ritter, and keyboardist Jay Brown. The album, meanwhile, also featured contributions from a number of session musicians, including guitarist Andy Timmons and bassist Chuck Rainey.
How the Band Got Its Name and What It Means
Lynch told American Songwriter that his friend and sometimes collaborator Don Henley of the Eagles was partly responsible for naming the band. Stan explained that several years ago, he and Don were driving together on the road when they “came upon a trailer [that] said ‘The Speaker Wars’ on it.”
Henley looked up the term, but couldn’t find a meaning for it. Lynch apparently banked the weird name for future use. Stan explained that the moniker wound up being an appropriate one for his new band because it partially reflects the group’s dynamic. That is, the main focus and shared priority of the band members is to make the best-sounding music they can.
“[W]e realized the only war worth fighting is what’s coming out of the speakers,” he maintained. “I won’t fight about anything else. I don’t give a rat’s a– what we’re gonna eat. … I don’t want to talk about your politics, how you raise your kids, how you spend your money, you know. … But I do care about what comes out of the speakers. And I’m very passionate about that.”
He added, “I’ve learned from some great people over the years to try to get your best. And it’s gonna be painful, and it’s gonna hurt people’s feelings, you know. That does happen. It’s a full-contact sport when you’re in a band.”
More About the Band’s Influences, Lynch’s Collaboration with Davis
The Speaker Wars’ songs feature such influences as country, gospel, blues, folk, and roots rock. Perhaps not surprisingly, a hint of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers can be heard in some tunes.
Lynch explained that Davis likely was more responsible than he was for Petty’s influence making its way into The Speaker Wars’ sound.
“Jon was actually a fan of The Heartbreakers. You know, he loved that band,” Stan shared. “And … after my tenure with the group, I sort of, I won’t say dismissed that part of my life, but I really had moved on. … I mean, man, it was like I knew that that was a good moment in my life, and not to … try to repeat it.”
Having said that, Lynch explained, “Jon would allow me to access some of that toolbox.”
Regarding on how the two write songs together, Lynch noted, “Every collaboration is its own defined set of circumstances. Jon and I … work on the principle, sort of, of who has the hot hand. Like, if Jon walks in [and] he’s got a pair of kings? Man, my job is to just say, ‘That’s really good,’ and I’m a good collaborator just by letting him roll. And he’s done the same for me.”
He added, “[T]he collaborative effect with us is we just trust each other, and we enjoy being in the room. We make each other laugh, and we do it for, I think, all the right reasons.”
The Speaker Wars’ Release Details and Advance Tracks
The Speaker Wars is available now on CD, as a vinyl LP, and via digital formats. Three of the album’s 10 songs were issued as advance tracks, along with companion music videos.
“You Make Every Lie Come True” is an upbeat, catchy roots-rock tune with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that’s reminiscent of some of Petty’s classic songs.
“It Ain’t Easy” is a darker roots-rock tune with lyrics about the difficult path many of us sometimes lead through life as we grow older.
“The Forgiveness Tree” is heartfelt, melodic ballad about two people finding common ground and reconciliation.
Lynch’s Hopes for The Speaker Wars’ Future
So far, The Speaker Wars have only played one concert, on during the Tom Petty Weekend celebration on November 9, 2024, in Petty’s hometown, Gainesville, Florida. The event is organized annually by the Tom Petty Nation fan community.
“That was fun, man. That was a great coming-out party,” Lynch said of the show. “And everybody was really nice to us. … It was very humble and very humorous, and it felt very appropriate. … And the audience suffered through 15 songs they’d never heard before, which is amazing to me.”
Stan said he’d love to tour with the band and to record another album, but that likely will depend on how much interest the debut record garners.
“I would love to be able to get this music heard, and then we could exploit it in grand fashion,” he told American Songwriter. “I would love to go out and play. That would be the ultimate way to exploit this music. … [T]hat’s what’s been missing in my life. … Like, it’s cool having my old job back, you know? … But yeah, in order to make another record or go out and play on the road, we need to be heard.”
Lynch added that he also hoped the album will help introduce Davis’ songwriting talents to the world.
“[M]y hope is that they’ll get to know Jon and … they’ll know him through what he’s singing about,” Stan shared. “That’s kind of who he is. He’s a very soft-hearted … Texas knucklehead, you know, who’s … not one-dimensional. And I really enjoy my time with him. And I’m hopeful that we can get to work and just keep making music, ’cause I love having an outlet.”
(Photo by Michelle Ganeles)
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