Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

Restavrant

Restavrant is an American country punk band. The band was founded by guitarist and vocalist Troy Murrah, who later recruited drummer Tyler Whiteside. The band's musical style is eclectic; Whiteside does not use a standard drum kit. In 2015, the band briefly changed their name to Snakearm, before changing it back to Restavrant by 2016.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Restavrant!
Also known asSnakearm
GenresCountry punk,1 punk2
MembersTroy Murrah
Tyler Whiteside
Past membersJ. State
Websiterestavrant.com

Restavrant (stylized as REST^vRANT) is an American country punk band. The band was founded by guitarist and vocalist Troy Murrah, who later recruited drummer Tyler Whiteside. The band's musical style is eclectic; Whiteside does not use a standard drum kit. In 2015, the band briefly changed their name to Snakearm, before changing it back to Restavrant by 2016.

History

Restavrant was founded by Troy Murrah as a one-man band.2 Murrah was inspired by a Bob Log III concert.3 Initially a one-piece band, Murrah would later bring on drummer J. State,4 and then current drummer Tyler Whiteside.5 In 2008, the band released their first album, Returns to the Tomb of Guiliano Medidici, on Narnack Records.6 2015, the band was briefly renamed as Snakearm; Murrah said the name came from the nickname of a friend who was killed in a drive-by shooting, and that the goal of the band following the rebrand would be to "create music with integrity";2 the band continued to play their old songs under the new name.7 By 2016, the band had changed its name back to Restavrant.8 The band composed the theme song for the Adult Swim show Momma Named Me Sheriff.9

Musical style

Restavrant is composed of Troy Murrah, the guitarist and vocalist, and drummer Tyler Whiteside;2 Whiteside does not use a traditional drum kit,10 instead using a kit consisting of things like a hubcap and license plate.11 The band's style has been described as country punk,1 "blues-punk",12 and "electro roots rock".13 Daniel Willis of Riff Magazine described the band as "punk, if not exactly in sound, then definitely in ethos", noting drummer Tyler Whiteside's use of a DIY drum kit made of "trash".2 Adam Joseph of Monterey County NOW described the band's sound as "techno beats humping old folky-sounding guitar, plus a hell of a lot of bottleneck slide.".3 Jonathan Kardasz of Bristol24/7 called them "a thoroughly modern rock band", and praised their live performances as being better than their studio recordings.14 LA Weekly writer Paul Bradley described the band's musical style as "punkabilly" and a "grimy blend of hillbilly hootenanny and relentless beats".11 Murrah regards the band's influences as punk, country, and blues.5

Discography

  • 2008: Returns to the Tomb of Guiliano Medidici (2008)6
  • 2012: Yeah, I Carve Cheetahs
  • 2013: Sawdust & Seathorns (EP)15
  • 2015: Concrete (EP)15
  • 2017: Staring at Lint (EP)15
  • 2021: 4 For Being Physical (EP)15
References

References

  1. Feuer, Daiana (July 23, 2015). "Ears Wide Open: Snakearm, 'This Is It'". Buzz Bands LA. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  2. Willis, Daniel J. (May 24, 2018). "Black Rebel Motorcycle Club bends genres at SF homecoming show". RIFF Magazine. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  3. Joseph, Adam (January 31, 2013). "Restavrant draws from early rock influences and dirty old blues sensibility to churn out unique flavor". Monterey County NOW. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  4. Returns to the Tomb of Guiliano Medidici (Media notes). Restavrant. Narnack Records. 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. "Local Folk Fest to bring Rest^vRant to Campus". Long Beach Current. September 10, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  6. "Returns to the Tomb of Guiliano Medidici". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  7. Weekly, Fort Worth (September 15, 2016). "Top 5 Shows". Fort Worth Weekly. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  8. Feuer, Daiana (December 12, 2016). "Video premiere: Restavrant, 'Concrete'". Buzz Bands LA. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  9. Momma Named Me Sheriff (Television show). 2019.
  10. Bennett, Sarah (April 1, 2014). "United By Electronics: Bella Novela, Restavrant and Fartbarf at Alex's Bar March 28". Long Beach Post. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  11. Bradley, Paul T. (September 6, 2012). "The Best Punk Shows to See in L.A. This Month". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  12. Bennett, Sarah (January 31, 2014). "Punk-Blues Pioneers The Blasters to Play MADhaus Saturday". Long Beach Post. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  13. Bracelin, Jason (June 22, 2012). "Las Vegas for Less: Restavrant, Graffiti6, Red Eye Radio, jazz". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  14. Kardasz, Jonathon (November 4, 2017). "Review: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, O2 Academy". Bristol24/7. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  15. "Restavrant on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 10, 2025.