If you type "Gasfoodlodging" into Google you will find this 3 piece West Midlands based group at the top of the first page. Bands worldwide would be more than happy with that result. However this is not a band who have gained overnight popularity, after all with the steady demise of record sales over the last decade and the ever decreasing support for original acts it's a tough old slog out there for any original unsigned band regardless of their status on Google's search engine. Getting established quickly is nothing more than a urban legend within this modern musical world that bands now participate in.
What becomes apparent after a first listen to "Blue Collar Rain" is the memorable nature that many of the the songs have. I'd first played this advanced copy that was sent to me containing no artwork in my car on my commute home from work. Later that evening I found myself still humming the melody of several of the songs.
The beautiful ballad "Wherever", was one of the tracks that really cemented itself as did the marvelous infectious punk pop of "Corporate Disease" which reminded me of "The Clash" in parts. Dave Griffiths, the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the band, pulls off the vocal requirements of each song with ease. Songs such as "Play it From the Heart" a really nice indie rock track reminiscent of early Neil Young & Crazy Horse days demonstrates this perfectly as he drifts in and out of melody changes with great execution.
Although the LP doesn't contain that top of the tree professional production that professional bands have at their disposal this is by no means weakly produced. Each track comes through warm and clear with some really effective dynamic touches.
There really are some great tracks on here, "Under the Texas Sun" "Another Day Gone", "Banging Drum", "It's Good To Be Back" "Moving Along" "Solitudeville" are others that I really like. I think the distinct advantage this band could easily have over some other original bands is their unique style and most certainly the quality of the songwriting.
Gasfoodlodging are a band that merges the influences of Americana with splashes of retro punk and Indie influence and they do it in a highly impressive way as this LP demonstrates. I think people across the age spectrum who enjoy guitar music would really enjoy the music of this band if they manage to get heard to a wider audience.
Their LP "Blue Collar Rain" is due for release on the 27th February 2017.
Heather Williams.
© 2O17
heatherwpromotion@earthlink.net