Fresh off the success of their acclaimed debut album Straight To It, the Zac Schulze Gang return with their explosive new single, “Hellhounds On My Trail,” arriving July 24. Recorded live with longtime producer Ian Sadler, the track captures everything that has made the Kent power trio one of the UK’s fastest-rising rock acts—blistering guitars, relentless energy, and the chemistry of a band that’s built its reputation the old-fashioned way: onstage.

 

Frontman Zac Schulze is one of the most exciting young guitarists to emerge from the UK in years. A fearless player with world-class chops, he attacks the guitar with punk-rock attitude, blues soul, and classic rock swagger. But the magic of the Zac Schulze Gang isn’t about flashy solos—it’s the undeniable chemistry between Zac, drummer (and brother) Ben Schulze, and bassist Ant Greenwell. Together, they deliver a massive, high-octane sound that’s equal parts melody and muscle, channeling the spirit of Rory Gallagher and Dr. Feelgood while sounding unmistakably modern.

 

Written by Tony Dowler and the Hellhounds and inspired by the legend of Robert Johnson, “Hellhounds On My Trail” first entered the band’s orbit when they were invited to perform it at the Rory Gallagher Festival in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

 

“We were first introduced to the song when our friend Petra Burns asked us to perform it at the Rory Gallagher Festival in Holland,” says Zac Schulze. “We’d never even rehearsed it before, but from the first time we played it, we knew it had to stay in the set. Every time we perform it, it evolves—we stretch it out, improvise, and discover something new. The version we’ve recorded is our best attempt to capture that live energy while paying tribute to Tony Dowler, who wrote such a brilliant song. It really sums up where we are as a band right now.”

 

Hailing from Gillingham, Kent, the trio cut their teeth on the UK’s DIY punk circuit before breaking through with a standout performance at the Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival in 2022. Since then, they’ve become true road warriors, performing more than 250 shows a year, appearing at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and building a loyal following throughout Europe and the UK.

 

That relentless work ethic has earned the band Best Emerging Blues Band at the UK Blues Awards (2024), followed by Young Artist of the Year (2025). Alongside Straight To It, their acclaimed releases Made of Three (2023) and Live and Loud (2024) have established the Zac Schulze Gang as one of the most exciting young bands carrying blues-infused rock into the future.

 

Critical praise has followed the Zac Schulze Gang's rapid ascent. Classic Rock hailed the trio's "upbeat, '70s-ified blues rock with a few enticing twists and a roughened Rory Gallagher-esque edge," while Vintage Guitar observed, "The roar of these British lads is described as blues-rock, but their vibe is too uproarious to be pigeonholed." Rock & Blues Muse wrote that the band "doesn't mess around with niceties, preferring to play the kind of blues-infused rock'n'roll that grabs your throat and doesn't let go," while Blues Matters declared they're "destined for blues rock glory." Blues Rock Review described the trio as "wired with the nervous energy of youth," and Tinnitist  summed them up as "fierce, dynamic and very much of the now."

 

This fall, the band will bring their electrifying live show to U.S. audiences on tour with Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit, further cementing their status as one of the UK’s most compelling new rock exports.