“Don’t Tell John plays original indie rock and blues inspired songs plus the occasional cover. We love the groove with guitar riffs all as a platform to showcase Veronica’s powerful vocals. Our energy is hard and loud with a sultry, groove oriented backbone.”
Don’t Tell John
Don’t Tell John’s new single ‘Again’ is full of charm & character, an array of emotional lyricism and heavier sounds blend perfectly to make a soulful rush in the form of a rock ballad.
Other favourites include ‘Hard Luck’ with the impressive instrumental solo alongside ringing hi hats creating a lively yet captivatingly and playful track.
The cover of ‘Spell on You’ gives a unique staccato take on the song, the vocals elevate the track into a more confrontational but empowering take of the original.
ABOUT THE BAND.
Multi-generational and family-formed, Don’t Tell John channel raw soul and swagger into every performance. Brothers Mark and Jack Larkin first cut their teeth in the 90s band Nathan’s Hand and now they’ve reignited that fire, joined by the next generation of Larkins. Veronica’s powerhouse vocals and William’s guitar work sit at the heart of the band, rounded out by Jon Protass on percussion and Eric Cretarolo on lead guitar.
Their sound has been described as a female-fronted Soundgarden: heavy, groove-driven, and haunting. Veronica’s voice, already compared to Janis Joplin and Beth Hart, rides over vintage tones and blues-soaked riffs, while the band delivers explosive live sets that leave no doubt about their modern edge.
With recent singles ‘Jake’, ‘Grandad’, and ‘Hard Luck’, Don’t Tell John have been building serious momentum on streaming platforms and social media. The release of ‘Again’ marks the next chapter.
BAND TIMELINE.
- 2021 – The band is formed during Covid when Mark started sending Veronica songs he thought she would like to sing. She was in New York at the time and the Summer of 2021 our first rehearsals happened.
- 2022 – Veronica decides to leave NYC to come back to the Bay Area and the band starts really work shopping songs and feeling their vibe – and we had our first smaller shows.
- 2023 – The release of our first three songs on Spotify and other platforms and more shows!
- 2024 – We released some new songs like Watching you and Grandad. We played some great shows like The MakeOut Room in San Francisco and Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Good stuff and good times. More coming from us, new tracks and more gigs in 2025. Keep an eye out!
- 2025– Building on the momentum of their 2023 Bay Area shows and growing fanbase, Don’t Tell John spent 2024 and early 2025 focused on both studio and stage. The band recorded a second full-length release, blending soulful indie‑rock with blues territory, and debuted singles like the fan‑favorite “I’m Done.” They continued to sharpen their live identity with sold‑out gigs at intimate local venues, festivals across Northern California. Behind the scenes, Don’t Tell John doubled down on songwriting and visuals—partnering with local videographers and animators to bring music videos to life. As they move toward late 2025, the band is preparing for a wider West Coast tour and further exhilarating releases that reflect both roots‑grown authenticity and their evolving artistic ambition.