by Stewart Mason Metal-edged indie rock quintet Tyler Read formed in Shreveport, LA, in 2003, out of the merging of two defunct local bands. Singer Josh Johnson and his brother, drummer Jordan Johnson, formed the band along with lead guitarist Chris McPeters, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Brent Skinner, and bassist Chris Rimmer, taking cues not only from their alt-rock contemporaries but also from vintage classic rock acts like Queen and the Rolling Stones. Heavy regional touring led to major-label interest by 2005, and the band chose to sign with the Sony BMG imprint Immortal Records (where bands like Korn and Incubus had gotten their starts) later that year. Paired with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Iggy Pop, Chevelle), Tyler Read recorded their debut album in 2006, while touring as an opening act for various established bands. Immortal released Only Rock and Roll Can Save Us Now in April 2007