Boston-bred, San Diego-based guitar slinger Jimi Zolo is done being the best-kept secret in the sideman world. The self-proclaimed “Dirty Rock ‘N’ Roller For Life” has stepped out front with a swaggering new single called “R U Rock?” — and he brought some serious muscle along for the ride.

The track features a heavyweight drum performance from none other than AC/DC’s Matt Laug, tracked by producer Marc DeSisto at Mix LA Studio D in Tarzana, California. If that lineup doesn’t already have your boots tapping, the accompanying video ropes in Dan McNay on bass and Andy Galeon behind the kit, with Zolo handling guitar and lead vocals like a man who’s been waiting a long time to say his piece. The clip, produced by Brent Turner and WayRad Media, keeps things refreshingly no-frills.

“I thought it was high time to record some tunes I’ve been writing,” Zolo says. “I hope the fans love it like we do.” Of the video, he adds, “We kept it organic and straightforward like the tune.” Translation: no green screens, no gimmicks, just rock and roll doing what rock and roll does best.

Watch the official video for “R U Rock?” here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Jimi+Zolo+R+U+Rock

Zolo’s résumé reads like a who’s-who of gritty rock credits — writing and recording sessions with Joe Wood (T.S.O.L.) on “Change Today,” Oni Logan (Lynch Mob, Dio Disciples) on the “Cosmic Trust Sessions,” and Joel Ellis (Cats & Boots, Heavy Bones) on “Ellis Island,” plus his own bands The Red Lotus Revue and The Holla Pointe. The dude has been putting in the work, and it shows.

Now he’s about to level up again. Zolo has been tapped to join metal O.G.s Circus of Power on guitar for a run of East Coast dates this summer, with UK shows rumored to follow. If you like your rock loud, lived-in, and unapologetically dirty, mark your calendar.

Circus of Power Summer Dates (Featuring Jimi Zolo on Guitar):
– August 6 — Salem, MA
– August 7 — Hamden, CT
– August 8 — Philadelphia, PA
– August 9 — Brooklyn, NY
– UK dates TBA

Raised by a cool mom who put Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence, Aerosmith, The Cars, J. Geils Band, and Boston in heavy rotation, Jimi Zolo comes by his sound honestly. “R U Rock?” is proof that the old-school gospel is alive and well — and it’s asking you a very direct question.

So? R U Rock? Stream the single, catch him on tour with Circus of Power, and keep tabs on Zolo at jimizolo.com.