Dexter and The Moonrocks

The country-rock band Dexter and the Moonrocks formed in 2021 in Abilene, Texas. Lead vocalist James Tuffs, drummer Ryan Fox, guitarist Ryan Anderson, and bassist Ty Anderson spent their earliest rehearsals honoring their roots as small-town West Texas natives, performing a style of country music that was emblematic of their homeland. They began widening their sound considerably by incorporating elements of grunge and alternative rock, too, taking inspiration from acts like Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, and Radiohead. The resulting combination of sonic influences proved to be popular on TikTok and Spotify, where the band amassed a wide following throughout the early 2020s. After signing with Big Loud Rock, a Nashville-based record label imprint, Dexter and the Moonrocks unveiled their sound with the debut EP Western Space Grunge. The EP's name referenced the band's unique sonic approach. It also included the band's first radio single, "Sad In Carolina," which debuted at number 37 on the Top 40 Radio Alternative Songs chart in the US. Released during the summer of 2024, the song later peaked at number 30.