“I ain’t got time for a revolution,” Brian K. Pagels sings at the beginning of the song “American Pharoah” like a man on a mission to make up for lost time.

After more than a decade as a working musician in the DC area, Pagels officially launched the Americana Rock & Roll band Brian K & The Parkway with fellow longtime drummer and producer Stephen Russ in 2024 – marking the first time he would front and tour his own full band project. Following the release of their debut album Killing The Bear, which features “Wind the Clock” – streamed over 10,000 times on Spotify – they recruited Washington Area Music Association award-winning lead guitarist Mike Shade and immediately hit the road, clocking more than 50 shows across 13 states + DC at venues including Jammin' Java (VA), Rumba Café (OH), The Pinhook (NC), Spruce Peak Arts Center (VT), Club Cafe (PA), Pearl Street Warehouse (DC), and as part of a Hopscotch Day Party in Raleigh, NC.

The band has shared stages with Wheatus, Steve Poltz, Nicki Bluhm, and Cat Popper (who also sings a duet on their song “Straight Through”), appeared on three major market TV shows including a live performance on "Today in Nashville," and gotten radio play on more than 30 radio stations across the US and Canada including WBJB (NJ), WGDR (VT), and WSCA (NH).

Brian K & The Parkway play earnest and expressive Rock & Roll that’s drawn comparisons to Tom Petty, ‘70s Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon, and The Replacements. Their sound blends ragged Americana grit with memorable hooks – think storytelling and swagger of Drive-By Truckers and singalong choruses of Dawes. Their debut album is a musical and lyrical journey from the Gulf Shores of the American South to the Green Mountains of Vermont; from a crowded bazaar in the Middle East to drought-stricken California; from the Rock & Soul of the Jersey Shore to heartbreak in the American heartland.

In April 2025, Brian K & The Parkway released the acoustic EP Kill It Again!, which features the new single “Lifeboat,” a song about what it feels like to be tossed overboard in a storm of political retribution. They are continuing to tour and will be releasing even more new music before the year is through.

Love for Brian K & The Parkway

“This is a rock band you’re gonna want to know about.”
-WSMV-TV Today In Nashville

“To play rock ‘n’ roll live is a gift granted to those who can channel the spirit that hovered over their own adolescence and provide it form with words and phrases, chords and rhythms, flanging and tremolo, chorus and delay. <Brian K & The Parkway> possess this gift.”
Americana Highways

“From upbeat anthems that had the crowd dancing to more introspective pieces that highlighted their lyrical prowess, Brian K and the Parkway proved why they are a force to be reckoned with in the music scene. Their music was delivered with precision and passion, showcasing the band’s tight musicianship and undeniable chemistry.”
Eat, Sleep, Breathe Music

“…the themes he touches on–problems and how to cope with them, detailed in striking lyrical vignettes set to expansive tunes–lend themselves to his emphatic, unhurried delivery. “Is The Grass Really Greener (In the Green Mountain State)” comes across like a lost Drive-By Truckers track circa Southern Rock Opera while invoking biblical plagues in a tale of getting the hell out of town, for better or worse.”
Jasper Magazine

“In its entirety, ‘Killing The Bear‘ serves as a testament to Brian K & The Parkway’s adeptness at seamlessly melding vintage influences with contemporary sensibilities. The result is a compelling and cohesive debut album that resonates with both nostalgia and relevance.”
Last Day Deaf

“I really hope there will be more ears on Brian Pagels and this project eventually because he is so talented, he can do so many things, and he just sounds so damn good when doing those things.”
JK Music Reviews

Love for “Wind the Clock”

Named a “Best New Track” by Unrecorded

“…a refreshing departure from the norm… this track doesn’t tiptoe into the music scene—it bursts in with a guitar riff that’s more like a siren call and a drum groove that refuses to play by the rules. Beyond the beats, it’s a social commentary on the tribal chaos we’re drowning in. It’s not just music; it’s a rebellion wrapped in hope, a middle finger to the mundane, a soundtrack for those carving paths through the noise.”
Last Day Deaf

“...really highlights this focus on songwriting and storytelling while embracing an energetic and uplifting musicality that is guitar driven, rooted in rock and roll...”
Alchemical Records

“...a light, infectious composition. The steady bass line and disco-esque 2/4 time keeping on the drums form the foundation of the arrangement. The vocals and guitar build on that foundation, blending vintage pop and disco influence with more modern pop leaning for a unique whole that is certain to keep listeners engaged and entertained.”
Mayhem Rockstar Magazine

“The biggest highlight, however, is the album’s first single, Wind the Clock. Lyrics are really solid, the sonics are full of personality, and Pagels’s singing commands you to listen.”
JK Music Reviews

Love for “Straight Through” feat. Cat Popper

“Reminiscent of The Band with a spunky roots rock meets art pop vibe, the song finds the band leaning into a sound that is reflective yet forward-thinking and fun. Popper provides playful harmonies and there is an airy vibe of positivity that permeates throughout the song.”
Glide Magazine

“A captivating indie-pop/rock song with lovely harmonies soaring effortlessly over soaring guitar riffs seamlessly intertwined with punchy drums and a bluesy vibe that together create quite a memorable listening experience packed with energy and emotion.”
Caeser Live N Loud