University leadership would likely argue that one of Clemson’s greatest assets is the welcoming environment that blankets campus, downtown, and the world through thousands of alumni. It is that welcoming feeling that draws to Clemson the best faculty, brightest students, and the most entertaining bands. Only 74 miles separate the little town of Clemson from the hustle and bustle of Athens, Georgia, home to UGA, but that distance could not prevent one band from sharing their music with an on-again-off-again rival.
Jameson Tank first played in downtown Clemson on July 16 at the famed TD’s, located directly across Walter T. Cox Blvd. “When you travel to a new city where [you] know absolutely no-one, it’s easy to worry if you will be playing to crickets for three hours,” said Jameson Tankersley, founder, and lead vocalist of the band. He added, “We started playing at 11 p.m. and by 11:30 p.m. the stage area was absolutely packed with students bouncing and sweating to rock music, all decked out in Clemson orange and white.”
But before the band could rock the streets of Clemson, they first had to find the way out of Tankersley’s bedroom. He had been writing songs in his room for years, and in 2018 released his first single, “Heavy Dependence,” which received an overwhelming response. 15,000 downloads later, Tankersley began to piece together a band. “Rock Singer Looking for drummer, bassist, and guitarist,” read the Craigslist ad. Enter Conner Ankerich, the drummer; Bryce Burnette, lead guitar; and Javier Solorzado on bass and backing vocals.
Six months and more than 15 shows later, Jameson Tank took the drive up to dear old Clemson. “Clemson seemed to be an exciting, youthful town to come rock,” said Tankersley. The response was so great, TD’s immediately booked Jameson Tank for an additional show during the first week of classes on Aug. 19 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The band plays a variety of rock songs that people will recognize and want to hear, while also performing original music. “There is no better feeling than watching a crowd turn from skeptic strangers into seemingly friends all in the matter of one set,” said Tankersley. “We look forward to returning to Clemson time and time again in the future, after all how else are we going to take over the world?”
Jameson Tank begins their “Too Hot to Hold” tour on Aug. 6 with additional shows in Clemson on Sept. 2 and 23-24 at Loose Change in downtown Clemson from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
