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Highway Terrier is a rising new band out of Davis, California, and they are ready to make big waves with the release of their new track Covid Blues. The song carries the grit of early blues-influenced classic rock, fueled by raw energy and an authentic sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic. We had the chance to chat with Ben Sherstinsky and what you to get to know your new favorite band!

Founder/Guitarist Ben Sherstinsky shares how Highway Terrier came about,

In the fall of 2024, I had recorded four songs where I played all or most instruments on each track, and did the lead vocals on two of them. The time came to form a live band, so I brought together some people I had played and performed with in the past, as well as some new people, most of whom I knew from UC Davis. I knew I wanted a singer with a raspy, gritty timbre, and once I heard Christian Bush sing I knew he was the guy. One Sunday night, both Christian and Jonah Kalmar—who has the grooviest basslines–were at this party so I was able to ask them right then and there which was neat. And that morning I had gotten on a call with Andy Nathan, who had played with Red Voodoo for some time. Even though it was just for one show, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to play with him. So the band essentially formed in one day! Come early 2025, we got practicing in full force and I’m grateful that in February we were student openers for Luna Li at the UC Davis Brainfreeze concert. In late March I had called up drummer Johnny Moeller whose precision is insane, and on some songs we got Kelly May on vocals and CJ Borges on flute. I asked Kelly to join when running into her on campus, by the UC Davis Music Building of all places; she can go straight from jazz to metal! And I’ve loved seeing CJ perform around Davis and his studio knowledge knows no bounds, so when he agreed via text I was thrilled.

The band has quickly established themselves in the Davis music scene, delivering performances that capture the spirit of rock’s golden era while adding their own modern edge. Their momentum recently landed them a spot at UC Davis’s Brain Freeze concert, where they opened for Juno-nominated artist Luna Li, a huge step for a rising band.

With their mix of passion, throwback style, and undeniable stage presence, Highway Terrier is proving they’re a name to watch as they bring rock revival roaring back into the spotlight.

Check out the new track on Spotify here:

The song brings to life that high energy and classic rock sound that we need more of! We asked Ben What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from the track?

Thank you so much, it makes me so happy to hear that as that’s what I was going for! I want anybody listening to this song to just rage, dance, and experience a lot of energy in that moment. Classic rock is meant to invigorate the soul so that’s what I’m hoping my music can do. I’m also hoping it’s a relatively timely song, since this Covid has completely changed our lives in the last few years. This song is about getting Covid all the time.

Who are your biggest musical influences, and how do they show up in your sound?

A lot of ‘60s and ‘70s blues-influenced and folk-influenced classic rock, as well as some prog and psychedelic rock from that time too. Led Zeppelin, Rush, Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, and Cream are influences for sure. As well as the modern age; Greta Van Fleet is a big influence and for some of my most recently written stuff that’s still in the demo stage, Mirador. I think that the rage of Blue Cheer (who more people should listen to, by the way!) has definitely inspired songs like Covid Blues, and Rush and Greta have this mystical and spiritual element that I really like and try to emulate.

I understand Ben you wrote all the music and lyrics as well as played every instrument in the studio. What was your songwriting process in that? Also the sound captures a true vintage feel, did you use any specific gear to get that come across in the song?

I started coming up with the riff, and as the guitar part developed, the drums, vocals, and bass started taking shape in my head. For a bit of time, the song was just called “I Lost My Baby”, about a significant other leaving you and moving away. But then I got Covid a third time–which was the second time in 3 months, and so I knew I had to write Covid Blues. Originally it was a slow, acoustic blues inspired by 1930s bluesman Roosevelt Sykes, and then I thought, I could combine that with the music from “I Lost My Baby”! In the recording process I used a Gibson SG for the main body of the song, and my Gibson Les Paul for the solo and overdubs, with a Marshall DSL-40C. I feel that I’m better able to bring out the grit and character of my solos with the Les Paul. At the same time, for the main body of the song the SG has got a bit of a warmer sound which ended up being necessary for the song. The Gibson-Marshall symbiosis is such an essential aspect to rock n’ roll dating back decades; it had to be taken advantage of.

What is next for Highway Terrier? I can only imagine the live performances that you guys deliver. Is there any shows coming up in the Bay Area?

What’s next is more shows in the upcoming year! Right now we’re playing in Davis as we’re still UC Davis students, but we definitely hope to branch out in due time, including the Bay Area! When I was in high school I was in a band called Charge and we did a show at Pier 39, it’d be so sick to get to play there again.

If you could jump on a tour as an opener, which band would you want to tour with?

Mirador would be amazing to open for. Ever since that first set in St. Louis on April 27, 2024 when they opened for Greta Van Fleet, I’ve been hooked on their music. I was fortunate to get to see them at the Troubadour recently and they brought the house DOWN. Not only is their music filled with such art and passion, the show felt like such a PARTY. Ever since that show I’ve already been trying to learn from their energy and trying to understand how they structured that incredible setlist.

Ben can you share a bit about your rig rundown?

In the live setting, I mainly use a 2014 Gibson Les Paul Standard with a Marshall DSL 40C. On the floor I use a BOSS ME-80 pedalboard sometimes. Occasionally I’ll pull out my strat for a song or two, but I’m also hoping to bring out my newly given acoustic and Fender Squier Tele. In the studio it’s been about the same, but with my SG too. I love the ME-80 because it’s got everything on it—chorus, wah, boost, you name it. I’m also starting to experiment more with this Fender amp I was given recently.

If the band members of Highway Terrier were dog breeds (other than terrier) what would that be and why?

Christian: “I’d be a Golden Doodle because I’ve had two and I love them, but also because they’ve got curls like me and they are the sweetest energetic dogs.”

Johnny: “I’m a Jack Russel Terrier cause I’m very protective of my drum set.”

I’d be a Border Collie. I look like one, I love their energy, and just like collies, I bring people together.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans and our audience?

I really hope you all enjoy Covid Blues, and stay tuned on our Instagram for more shows and releases!

Their new track COVID Blues is the perfect introduction to what Highway Terrier is all about and now’s the time to check them out. Give it a listen, share it with everyone you know, and experience the revival of rock through a band that’s young, hungry, and overflowing with passion. It’s refreshing to see a group deliver such a bigger-than-life sound that not only tips its hat to classic rock but also breathes new fire into today’s music. Their sound is bound to win over long-time and seasoned rock fans and also ignite a new generation of young rockers. Highway Terrier is one band you don’t want to miss. We can’t wait to catch them live, because one thing’s for certain, this talented crew is ready to unleash fierce energy every time they hit the stage.