With the news over the weekend that Legendary duo The White Stripes have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for this week’s Matchday Playlist we feature American Rock bands that came before and after the Duo’s time in Music. We feature songs from the likes of Mondo Cozmo, The Black Keys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Saint Motel, The Heavy, The Record Company, Pixies, Nirvana, Beck and more!
This week’s featured artists:
I betcha by Archawah
Archawah is the solo project of Philadelphia-area musician Chris Archibald, who originally came to note as the frontman and primary songwriter for the indie-rock band Illinois. In 2015, Archibald launched Archawah as a space to explore a more intimate and stylistically diverse sound, drawing from retro-soul, alternative rock of the late ’90s/2000s, and off-kilter pop sensibilities. The music of Archawah blends soulful grooves (think Stax/Motown influences) with indie-pop and alternative rock references: synth touches, beat-driven arrangements, and a melodic sensibility married to emotional lyricism. In 2025, Archawah released his most ambitious and cohesive album to date The Great Big Beat, a 13-track odyssey of rhythm, reflection, and reinvention. The album opens with the single “I Betcha” which is a shimmering, heart-on-sleeve anthem written “when I was crushed,” as Archawah revealed on Instagram. “It’s for every crush I’ve ever had.”
Rebel Heart by The Shelters
Formed in Los Angeles in 2014, The Shelters quickly emerged as one of the most buzzed-about rock bands of the mid-2010s, thanks to a sound that tapped into classic rock roots while infusing modern swagger. A significant early boost came when legendary rock icon Tom Petty took an interest in the band. He gave The Shelters access to his home studio and acted as mentor and collaborator, offering them a rare endorsement and helping shape their sonic direction. The band’s music is a blend of indie rock, alternative rock, rootsy heartland rock, and blues-rock. Their style evokes the timeless feel of ’70s and ’80s rock while keeping things fresh and contemporary.Their self-description and early Myspace biography highlighted a mix of “fuzzed-out garage and swaggering glam rock with a tinge of melodic blues. “Rebel Heart” was the breakout single that put The Shelters on the map with an energetic, hook-filled rock anthem that channeled the spirit of classic rock through a distinctly modern lens. It served as the band’s calling card, blending jangling guitars, soaring harmonies, and that unmistakable California edge.
Dark Angel by Robert Jon and The Wreck
Hailing from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck formed in February 2011 in Orange County. Frontman and guitarist Robert Jon Burrison assembled the band with drummer Andrew Espantman and other passionate musicians to carve out a sound that fused blues-rock, Southern rock, and Americana. Robert Jon & The Wreck specialize in a potent blend of blues-rock and Southern rock which is characterized by soaring twin-guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, driving rhythm sections, and an unapologetic rock-and-roll attitude. They sustained heavy touring in the U.S. and Europe, building a reputation as a powerful live act. They have shared stages with stalwarts like Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton, and Rival Sons. “Dark Angel” is one of the lead singles from the band’s recent album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, which was released on 22 August 2025. The album builds on the band’s roots in Southern rock, blues-rock and Americana, but with a heightened sense of emotional depth, craft and modern production.
