G is for Gnarlemagne.
Hailing from UNH, Gnarlemagne is a blues/funk band who's tunes demand dancing.
The band incorporates a horn section consisting of two trumpets, a saxophone and a trombone. This is not to be confused with Ska. Gnarlemagne works the horns into the mix really well and doesn't fit the mold you'd expect from a band with a brass section.
The band's compositional style is reminicent of an earlier, less complicated time in music. The sounds of The Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, and Jimmy Hendrix come through in the band's two posted songs on myspace.
"Ain't Askin' For Much" has a great up-beat feel to it and really puts the horn section to work. Singer/guitarist Stu Dias really gives it his all on this track. The guitar riff reminds me of "Testify" in a way that I really appreciate. This song is real crowd starter for sure.
The other track on Gnarlemagne's myspace is "Smokehouse Blues". This track is a little slower but still gets a good head bop out of me. I think there will always be room for a solid blues progression in rock music - and this one is no exception. The piano driven lines have a great accompaniment from the horns and even some cowbell.
Although the band did not perform at the Music and Arts festival hosted by The Dover Children's Home, they still make an appearance on the compilation CD with "Ain't Askin' For Much". The band currently has some dates booked in New Hampshire and I'm sure would put on a great show.
- August 5 - Barley Pub - Dover, NH
- August 7 - The Stone Church - Newmarket, NH
- August 15 - The Muddy River Smokehouse - Porstmouth, NH
Comments
hey derek, thanks for the review, but just as a heads up Gnarlemagne will be at the Muddy River 8/15, not 8/12
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