From Craigslist to TikTok, from pop-punk to metalcore, the members of Pistols At Dawn have found themselves thrown together through the most unexpected twists of fate. But as frontman John puts it, that’s how the best things happen—by coincidence.

“We just all found our way into this band through the most unlikely of methods, but here we are,” John tells The Concert Chronicles. The band, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, has undergone transformations over the years, with each member entering the fold through their serendipitous route. “They found me on TikTok,” John shares. Will, the guitarist, jokes that he found his way into the group via Craigslist, while bassist Gabe laughs as he recalls how he tagged along as John’s plus one and ended up playing bass.

Despite their disparate origins, the group has forged a distinctive sound—one that defies easy categorization. “The current band, I would describe it as just a ball of energy,” John explains. “If you’ve ever seen us perform live, that’s what we are.”

Their sound is hard to pin down, blending influences that range from early 2000s metal to pop-punk anthems. “It’s all over the place, honestly,” says Will. “With this album that we wrote and recorded last year, it’s kind of all across the board,” John elaborates, referencing the diversity in their discography. “‘Not Sorry’ has a very pop chorus, while ‘You Forver’ is just a straight-up romantic ballad.”

Gabe chimes in, noting how genre-bending has become an essential part of modern music. “Nowadays, we see genre-bending being such a big thing, and the biggest bands are the ones who can really take from different styles, like Falling In Reverse. Artists aren’t confined to their genres anymore, and that’s something we embrace.”

While their sonic palette is broad, Pistols At Dawn knows their roots, “We like a good rock song, but we like to just mess it up in as many ways as possible,” Gabe says with a grin.

This fearless approach has landed them nearly 10 million streams globally and tours with some of the biggest names in rock. But the road hasn’t always been smooth. When asked how they maintain momentum despite the demands of tour and burnout, John is candid. “It’s not a hundred percent fair for us to be answering that question because Gabe and I have only been in the band for two years, and Will’s been in it for three,” he says. “You gotta love what you do.”

The band’s dream collaborations reflect their eclectic tastes. “If I had to pick one, I’d say Sleep Token,” John muses. “But a crazy Van Halen solo would definitely tickle Will’s fancy.” Will, an unabashed 80s rock devotee, nods enthusiastically. “My heart lies in the 80s still.” But if there’s one act that unites them all, it’s Linkin Park. “They’re a titan in the industry,” Gabe says. “It would be so cool to work with them.”

Pistols At Dawn’s journey is proof that music thrives on unpredictability—on the right Craigslist ad, the right TikTok scroll, and the right plus one at the right time. As they continue to forget their own path, one this is clear: they’re hear to bend the rules, and they’re having a blasting doing it.