Album
Type:
Full-length
Date
Released:
02nd
June 2015
Label:
Self
Released
Bastards'
Brew - Track Listing:
1.Mad
2.Coitus Asteroidus
04:51
3.Bat Bait
4.Reckoning
5.Skuggi
6.Umbra
7.Speakeasy
8.Bastards' Boogie
9.Mad (Instrumental)
03:09
10.Bat Bait
(Instrumental) 03:33
Members:
Will Quinn - vocals
Bill Barry - guitars
Dave Stanley - drums
Böðvar Böðvarsson
- bass
Bio:
Alabama isn't
exactly known as a stoner rock stronghold. So, people were
understandably curious when The Gentlemen Bastards started making
waves in 2012. First of all, the band is made up of two Southern
boys, a Canadian drummer and an Icelandic bass player. How in the
hell did that happen? Luck and Craigslist, my friend. The power of
Craigslist brought them together. But, what keeps them together is a
shared love of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Wes Montgomery jazz
jams straight out of the 1960's. Did we mention that all four are
clean cut and mild-mannered as they come? Not exactly what you'd
expect from a riff-heavy band that has drawn comparisons to Clutch
and Queens of the Stone Age. But, from the opening grooves of a track
like "Neverland," it's obvious that this band isn't your
typical stoner rock outfit.
The Gentlemen
Bastards released their self-titled debut in 2012 to an avalanche of
praise from the top stoner rock bloggers and reviewers. Described as
"Brash, energetic and aggressive" - "rip-roaring"
- "irritatingly catchy" and "a fucking blast from
start to finish" - the album's good press allowed the band to
snag opening gigs with The Heavy Eyes, Borracho and The Midnight
Ghost Train, among others. Listening and learning from their elders,
The Gentlemen Bastards returned to the studio to take the next sonic
step with "Bastards' Brew" - due in the summer of 2015.
Review:
The
Gentlemen Bastards have come roaring back with their hard-rocking 2nd
album Bastards' Brew. A storming 35 minute opus of high energy
Stoner, Grunge and Hard Rock riffage. This album is leaps and bounds
ahead of the bands debut album which won some acclaim within the Hard
Rock/Stoner Rock scene. Sure the album maybe shorter but it's because
the band are more direct with their music. They don't waste time with
progressive rock trappings as they focus on having a good time with
the band opting for a more direct approach. Opening track - Mad -
sees lead vocalist - Will - channel his inner rock god with vocals
packed with passion and a desire just to rock out.
The
instrumental work sees the band combine Stoner, Hard Rock, Grunge and
classic Proto-Doom rhythms for a familiar The Gentlemen Bastards
sound while laying the groundwork for their new sound. Shades of 90s
Grunge/Stoner Rock has always played a big part with The Gentlemen
Bastards sound and it's good to see the band hasn’t left that part
of their music behind. They embrace that vibe and build upon it for
you to 'immerse yourself with.
Second
track - Coitus Asteroidus - may have a slight cheeky
nudge-nudge-wink-wink sci-fi title but it's the music is where it
counts as The Gentlemen Bastards play one of the albums strongest
songs. You have plenty of riffs to survive from. Fans of Thin Lizzy,
Sabbath and Motorhead will find much to enjoy hear as The Gentlemen
Bastards pay respects to their musical heroes and even find time to
add a trippy psychedelic riff for one of the albums finest guitar
solos.
Third
track - Bat Bait - opens with a funk-influenced bass line before
heavy rock style guitars join the party for a slight jam-based affair
with the band flexing their musical creativity. Vocalist Will drifts
in and out of the song when the time calls for it. It's more of a
Funk Rock/Hard Rock hybrid with the bass and drums being the main
driving force here. The Gentlemen Bastards like to experiment with
their sound and this track maybe too jarring for some to fully
appreciate. I did and I admire the band's decision to include this
song on the album.
Fourth
Track - Reckoning - starts with another Thin Lizzy influenced bass
riff as The Gentlemen Bastards show their love for all things 70s
Classic Rock. Though it still has its own hard-rocking groove to
impress you with. It's a heavy affair especially when the guys let
fly with dual style guitar riffs once again. Will takes on a grungier
approach with his vocals as he becomes the centre of attention as the
mood becomes very emotional.
The
2nd half of the album sees The Gentlemen Bastards explore some dark
territory compared to the first half especially on Skuggi. Skuggi
feels like it could of came from the golden age of the 90s grunge
scene. It has that vibe where the whole world is against you and you
think there's no escape. My fave track has to be UMBRA - even if it's
one of the albums shortest tracks - it's an absolute powerhouse of a
track that shows you what The Gentlemen Bastards are all about. Play
this one LOUD - over and over again.
The
album still has 4 tracks to impress you with though the last two are
instrumental versions of the albums tracks - Mad and Bat Bait which I
found a very nice touch indeed. The other two tracks - Speakeasy and
Bastards' Boogie - capture The Gentlemen Bastards in full Classic
Rock mode where the emphasis is placed on RIFFS, RIFFS and even more
great RIFFS. I apologise for doing a track by track album review. I
hope I haven't spoilt your enjoyment of this album when you finally
get to hear it. Truth be told, The Gentlemen Bastards - I don't
really care. HA HA. As I'm too much in a hard-rocking beast of a
mood. Blame these guys as they have created an album packed full of
the right amount of aggression and rebellion just like the legendary
rock bands of the past used to make. Bastards' Brew is a superb album
from start to finish. Check it out. You won't be sorry.
Thanks
to The Gentlemen Bastards for the promo. Bastards' Brew will be
available to buy from June 02nd 2015.
Words
by Steve Howe
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