FIVE HORSE JOHNSON: Echoes And Dust Streams Jake Leg Boogie From Toledo Blues Riff Machine In Its Entirety
...hard, heavy, dirty
blues rock 'n' roll for people who like the sound of an engine roaring or the
feeling obtained by following a cold beer with a shot of good whiskey...
FIVE HORSE JOHNSON will drop the gritty fruits of their Jake
Leg Boogie upon the masses tomorrow via Small Stone.
In advance of its release, today Echoes And Dust is
streaming the record in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.
Issues Eric Oblander [vocals/harp], "In many ways,
making Jake Leg Boogie was one of the easiest albums to create, even though it
took four years to make -- sorry, Small Stone [laughs]. Our drummer Tim Gahagan
is the engine that drives this band. Over the years, we have been very blessed
to have a bevy of kick ass drummers sit in with us. I mean, it's not every band
who gets to make not one, but two albums with the great Jean Paul Gaster. But
we all grew up with Tim, he was our very first drummer decades ago, and few
people understand how we want to do this thing better than he does. That, along
with Phil D taking a larger role in the writing process really opened up some
fresh angles for us. I'm not sure I've ever heard Steve or Brad play better on
any of our albums to date, and Brad's lyric and vocal performances are the best
yet. I striped back my harp playing and vocals a bit and tried to find the
juicy, primal center, and getting back to collaborating with Brad on lyrics
really helped me find fresh, new ways to sing some of the thoughts that were
rolling around in my head. Also, thanks to artist Mark Dancey's understanding
of the FIVE HORSE JOHNSON mission, the album art was, as usual, exactly what we
wanted and needed. At the end of the day FIVE HORSE JOHNSON is just a group of
guys who like to laugh at each other's jokes, throw back a few beers, travel
the world playing music together, and record the coolest albums we can along the
way, to document our experiences. Sometimes, if you don't over think it and
just get to it, good things happen. And that's what's at the heart of our new
album Jake Leg Boogie. We hope ya'll dig listening to it as much as we dug
making it."
Jake Leg Boogie will see release on CD, limited LP, and
digital formats. For preorders, visit the Small Stone Bandcamp page at THIS LOCATION .
Jake Leg Boogie was recorded at Rustbelt Studios, with
longtime producer Al Sutton (Big Chief, Novadriver, Halfway To Gone, Detroit
Cobras) at the production helm, with a definitive nod to Dave Cobb (All Them
Witches, Rival Sons). Artwork was provided by noted graphic artist and FIVE
HORSE JOHNSON-collaborator Mark Dancey, keeping with a tradition established on
1999's Fat Black Pussycat.
FIVE HORSE JOHNSON was forged in 1995. Some two decades and
seven albums into their career - with eighth Jake Leg Boogie, set to drop late
this June on Small Stone - FIVE HORSE JOHNSON has dug out a niche of their own,
a genuine love and respect for traditional blues and classic rock leading them
to likewise become one of the most loved and respected bands in the heavy rock
underground. Always a freight train live, they've toured the US (with Clutch and Halfway To Gone) and Europe extensively (including the festival circuit),
gathering fans, friends, and drinking partners all over the Western World.
Jake Leg Boogie sees FIVE HORSE JOHNSON going back to its
recording roots. Original drummer Tim Gahagan has rejoined, and the results are
powerful. Brad Coffin's guitar has never sounded heavier, his voice never
stronger. Eric Oblander's harp, meanwhile, is as sharp as a tailfin, and his
gravelly vocal delivery a growling, howlin' counterpoint to Coffin's gruff
style. Steve Smith's bass is a strong backbone, while Phil Dürr's guitar
complements that of Coffin, adding extra edge for good measure. From the slow,
bluesy stomp of the title-track, to the dirge vibe of "Daddy Was a
Gun" - a story of some weird goings-on in a strange parish - Jake Leg
Boogie is pure old-school FIVE HORSE JOHNSON, recorded live, everyone in the
same room, with as little overdubbing as possible. Accordingly, it feels lively
and loud in the MC5-come-Hendrix vibe of "Hard Times," the
hard-rocking "Magic Man" (a tale of depravity set in the town of Springfield, Missouri),
and the near-Texan boogie of "Smoke Show."
FIVE HORSE JOHNSON is not a band that makes apologies, and
compromise is not an option. The truth is, this is hard, heavy, dirty blues
rock 'n' roll for people who like the sound of an engine roaring or the feeling
obtained by following a cold beer with a shot of good whiskey. FIVE HORSE
JOHNSON will gladly kick your ass, and then wait for you to say thank you and
ask for another. Which you will.
"Jake Leg Boogie is high on quality, low on ballads and
for existing FIVE HORSE JOHNSON fans, it's exactly what they want to
hear." -- Maximum Volume Music
"...there are enough moments of hard-rocking goodness
on display here to draw in the unsuspecting denim-clad bystander. If you've
ever enjoyed a dash of George Thorogood, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or ZZ Top, then
there's plenty here to get your teeth into." -- The Sentinel Daily
"'Hard Times' is a standout for its craftsmanship and
for the classically motoring riff at its center. It is very, very American.
Chevys, whiskey spelled with the extra 'e,' consciously ogling a lady standing right
next to her dude - it's all right there." -- The Obelisk on "Hard
Times"
http://www.facebook.com/Five-Horse-Johnson-official-band-page
http://www.fivehorsejohnson.com
http://www.smallstone.com
http://www.facebook.com/smallstonerecords
http://www.fivehorsejohnson.com
http://www.smallstone.com
http://www.facebook.com/smallstonerecords
Comments