I suppose you could create a hybrid sound. I associate rock with electric guitars and distortion, everything heavier is the same, just more of it, lol. So, maybe you could find an effect that is somewhere in between?

Normally I would say, just use a different guitar with different pick ups but times are tight and buying an effects pedal is probably more prudent and certainly cheaper. 😁

Btw, the singer has a very lovely voice and whoever mixed the first track, I feel like the percussion track could’ve used a bit more volume. The second song and on was on point, just that first track.