Gentlemen Husbands

Gentlemen Husbands
Presents... Something along the lines of "a lesson in unprofessionalism"
Independent

This five-piece country rock outfit from Cobourg graciously played the Let Them Eat Cake show at the Atria last Saturday. It was odd that their set was top heavy with covers as they have enough originals to carry a gig, as this EP testifies. They owe a bit to that band from Kingston and lean more towards New Orleans Is Sinking than Bobcaygeon. Their tougher approach may be due to drummer Dan Farrel and his affiliations with These Silhouettes and Kathleen Turner Overdrive. Others in the crew are Rick Ballard, guitar and vox, Jed Atkinson on bass, Anson Spry, guitar, mouth harp and banjo and Ryan Hutcheson on guitar.

So while there is a heavy Tragically Hip vibe to the band, the EP title indicates a more current influence (maybe a cowpoke at Broken Social Scene) and there are shades of Lowest Of The Low in here too. 19 is country kicker that begins "When I was 19... I went to Rama/ with my Gra'ma", should give you some idea of the tempo.

My sense is that middle track, The Learning, is indicative of the band's true voice and intent. The bridge leading to a gang vox apex has a maturity about it and is less genre specific a lot like the Mohawk Lodge. It competes with Riding In Cars for a fave track though. But then Snarred In Philadelphia is a ferocious snarl. But then KC Shuffle would give Blue Rodeo a run on that blue road. I've seen these guys live and wanted to hear a record and now I have heard the record, I can't wait to see them live again. GH have a gig scheduled at EP Taylors Nov 14.