Ride the heat wherever it goes

"Red Eyes" by The War On Drugs, new summer menswear and cold beer

Join your Brooklyn tour guide (that’s me, Beau!) as we navigate the worlds of menswear, music and craft beer in today’s newsletter. Now, in my last newsletter on Tuesday, we talked about the new single from The War On Drugs, so I reckon it’s only fitting we dive into even more from this acclaimed, Philly-born band, one of the finest rock bands out there. I’ve been on something of a kick listening to them since the Adam Granduciel-led band (that’s him at the top of the page!) announced they were releasing a new record this October and mounting an extensive world tour next year. It’s only fitting that I immediately cranked the volume on a modern rock classic, the immortal “Red Eyes,” which sounds even better live, if you can believe it (from my experience seeing the band in Brooklyn in 2018!).

Picking up tickets for said tour (I’ll see you at Madison Square Garden next January!) has only heightened my excitement for the (hopeful) return of live music.

What about you? What concerts are on your list, and where are you excited to travel to this fall and next year? Better still, if you’re wondering what you’re going to wear or what you should be sipping on as you crisscross the country in search of the next great rock band, I can help you out with two of those pursuits. That’s what we do here at The Style Guide In Brief, after all. On the menswear front, you’d also do well to check out my daily style blog — The Style Guide — and my writing for sites like Maxim. With all that being said, let’s plug in, kick back and start the weekend right.

What To Listen To This Weekend: “Red Eyes” By The War On Drugs

If you ask me, there’s never a bad time to listen to a classic modern rock track like this one from The War On Drugs. But back to this track: It’s become the band’s signature song, arguably, since its release on the incredible and genre-defining “Lost in the Dream,” a favorite album of mine since it dropped back in 2014. It’s always special to revisit songs that, quite literally, strike a deep chord within your soul. Check out the live video above by this stellar band, and I’m sure you’ll agree. This song, as I said before, is an excellent motivator as far as the power of live music is concerned, and I can’t wait to hear it full-throttle again. I already have an idea of what I’ll be wearing when I do hit the road, so how about a quick preview below for your weekend shopping list, yes? Sounds like a plan to me.

What To Shop This Weekend: Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt

The soulful “heartland rock” of The War On Drugs, with its thundering drums and wide-open guitars, calls to mind other similarly American, rough-and-tumble rockers at times, guys like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. And to me, it also epitomizes the sort of hard-working, hard-wearing style that goes along with that kind of music, if you will. That’s probably why I think the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt is such a fitting pick to pair with this weekend’s featured track. And of course, it’s the kind of perfectly rugged shirt you can wear all summer, to festivals and breweries and beyond. That’s a major winner in my book.

What To Sip This Weekend: Yards Loyal Lager via Drizly

Here’s another fine pairing alongside the suitably epic rock of today’s Philly-born band. I’ve had the chance on two occasions to visit Yards Brewing in Philadelphia, and I’ve come away impressed each time. The nicely named Loyal Lager reflects the city itself, who seems to me to be quick to champion stalwarts like Adam Granduciel’s band. In that sense, it’s a perfect pick if you want to get beer delivered today to complement this Pennsylvania band. That’s worthy of a toast to the weekend, if you ask me.

The Final Pick: Rhodes Footwear Blake Boots

In past newsletters talking about The War On Drugs, I’ve included some essential, rugged leather boots to wear to a rock show or, well, just about anywhere. It’s with that same spirit in mind that I’m closing out today’s post, and I hope you’ll join me in lacing up your new favorite boots from Huckberry (where else?). They’ll serve you well for months to come, and it also helps that they’re a durable pair of lightweight boots for summer, too. Some things just work perfectly together, don’t you agree?

As I said, some things just work incredibly well together, like an ice-cold Yards Brewing, the music of Philly heroes The War On Drugs and of course, let’s say, a pair of rugged leather boots. It all works in harmony — these picks today really are as good as it gets for me. So go on, enjoy that throwback rock track and add some new gear to your cart. It’s the weekend, after all. Thanks for reading — cheers!