Ayron Jones performs at The Warfield in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2022. Nate McKinley/STAFF.

SACRAMENTO — There’s no quit in singer-guitarist Ayron Jones. The Seattle-born six string tactician’s success was a slow burn in an effort to bring his blues-soaked grunge rock and roll to the masses. That work is paying dividends, as seen by Jones twice opening for The Rolling Stones, including in front of 50,000 in Paris.

Jones is on the road in support of his latest album, Chronicles of the Kid, which fuses modern grunge with classic blues into compelling music. He’ll kick off his third straight year of touring in 2024 with headlining dates across Europe, festival appearances and a slot on fellow rockers Dayseeker’s U.S. tour.

“It’s been a long run. It definitely gets a little tiring at times, but I can’t ask for a better life,” Jones said at Sacramento’s Aftershock Festival recently. “I get to see the world, I get to play music and connect with people in multiple different languages, and take care of my family. Those are the top core things for me.”

The lettering on Jones’ hat, reading “#FILTHY” in gold lettering, felt like a descriptor for his down and dirty guitar playing. While shred guitarists often gets the clicks among hard rock fans, his lyrical guitar playing brings something different to the table, recalling past greats. Each subtle bend in the strings conveys just as much pain as any words could deliver.

Ayron Jones has the added element of growing up in the grunge capital of the world.

Ayron Jones photographed at Aftershock Festival at Discovery Park in Sacramento on Oct. 8, 2023. Mike DeWald/STAFF.

“I listened to a lot of Jimi [Hendrix] growing up, a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn, all the blues cats,” he said. “But also growing up in Seattle, it was all about the Jerry Cantrells, the Stone Gossards and the Mike McCreadys of the world.”

Despite the accolades, Jones keeps his nose to the grindstone with a laser focus on keeping the momentum going.

“You start getting these big shows and there’s no real time to absorb or reflect. Today it’s 10,000 people, but tomorrow it’s 30,000, so let’s get ready,” he said. “I do recognize those moments are very special. I don’t take them for granted at all; one of these days I’ll slow down enough to take it all in, but I’m so hungry for the next thing.”

His dedication to the hustle was instilled early. Born to a 19-year-old mother and a father who was rarely around, he struggled with atonement as a kid. When his mother struggled with drug addiction, Jones was ultimately adopted by his aunt and uncle, who shaped his upbringing. He channeled that experience into his 2021 debut, Child of the State, providing a unique voice that resonated for those facing similar struggles.

“A lot of times adopted people, or people who weren’t raised by their parents or don’t know their parents, don’t get much of a voice,” he said. “I think it just struck a nerve for a group of people who don’t normally have someone speaking out for them.”

Jones provides that voice on “Blood In the Water,” a track stemming from the generational trauma of parents he never really knew to begin with. The pain emanates through his strained vocal cords. The song straddles the line between inner struggle and healing as Jones reconciles his own emotions.

While guitar solos may have taken a back seat to riff-heavy rock, synths and electronic sounds, Jones argued those keeping faith in six strings never really went away. He’s excited to usher in the next wave of guitar heroes that could inspire kids to pick up an instrument.

“It’s a little bit like the flu; it’s been around hundreds of years and never went anywhere,” he said. “Sometimes it’s prominent, and sometimes it’s not. “I think our hibernation period for rock and roll is kinda over. A lot of people picked up guitars during the pandemic, and we’re entering this new era of instrumentals and musicianship.”

Jones said he hopes fans will check out his concerts, as it’s where he and his band shine best. The raw energy that comes from Jones’ effusive, musical personality is difficult to match. It’s success that’s beginning to turn heads, with a pair of singles topping Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.

“I think when you see me live and playing the parts from the record, and playing the guitar and singing with no backing tracks, you get my voice the way it is and my guitar the way it is,” Jones said. “I just want to shock these audiences into submission.”

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.