Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 07/26/2023
Photo by Javi Perez
NYC native Des Rocs has released “I Am The Lightning,” the third song to be pulled from his forthcoming sophomore album Dream Machine out August 25 via Sumerian Records. Produced by Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, PJ Harvey), Matt Wallace (Faith No More, Maroon 5) and Des Rocs mastermind Danny Rocco, Dream Machine plays like a bolt of energy coursing through the glory days of rock, metal, and grunge, united within his signature “bedroom arena rock” sound.
About the new song, Danny Rocco explains: “‘I Am The Lightning’ was born from a desire to perform music that is both bone-shattering & instilled with a deeper message. I live on tour driving from one city to another, and I’ve come to view the journey of life as one long road trip – a series of winding roads connected by important events. ‘I Am The Lightning’ is the soundtrack to this chaotic journey down the highway of life.”
Recently, Des Rocs released the official video for “Nowhere Kid,” which followed the release of his “thrilling new single” (Consequence of Sound) “Never Ending Moment,” which has been streamed more than 1.5 million times on Spotify alone and just hit #27 at Active Rock Radio and #35 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Guitar World called the song an “essential rock anthem” and raved, “Windmilling acoustic guitars and wailing Flying V solos are the order of the day, and they sound colossal.”
After wrapping a national tour with Badflower earlier this year, Des Rocs is currently in the midst of a headline tour that wraps tomorrow night in Omaha, NE. Reviewing his performance at Sonic Temple festival earlier this year, Metal Injection proclaimed, “Des Rocs opened the main stage with the same energy and zeal as a headliner…This is the kind of music that is meant to be played live in an arena, and vocalist/guitarist Daniel Rocco is the kind of person who is meant to do it.”
Dream Machine follows Des Rocs’ 2021 debut full length album A Real Good Person In A Real Bad Place. The album received wide-ranging praise from outlets like Loudwire (“addictive”), Guitar World (“fierce”), Rolling Stone, SPIN, American Songwriter and Alternative Press, who describes Des Rocs’ sound as “a whirlwind of classic-rock-influenced alternative rock that will leave your heart racing.” Currently, Des Rocs boasts more than 1.25 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with more than 227 million global streams to date.
7) Natural Born Thriller
8) In The Night
9) Up To You
Tour Dates:
7/27 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room Lounge
9/23 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
COLUMNS
BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.
MORE NEWS
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday
"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier
The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday
Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday
UPCOMING SHOWS
2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.
MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview
West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series
Jersey Arts Podcast: Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna Bring New Tour to New Jersey
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The Penguin Rocks
© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]
Presented by New Jersey Stage
