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Re-Release of Gallon Drunk's "You, The Night... And The Music" CD

From:     Harry Pye
Category: Music
Date:     25 March 2007
Time:     03:00 AM

Review:

Gallon Drunk have a reputation for being a great live band. Many people will tell you they saw them 
either supporting Morrissey or P.J. Harvey etc or headling and that they were thrilled and amazed. In 
the 90's they achieved all the things bands want to achieve like being raved about by John Peel, 
being awarded single of the week in NME, successful world tours, appearances on TV shows like 
Later and nominations for the Mercury award. But so far they seem to have spent most of the 
noughties doing other projects (Gallon Drunk front man James Johnston is one of Nick Cave's Bad 
Seeds and also plays in a band called Bender). Apparently a new CD is about to be recorded.
In the meantime their album, "You, The Night... And The Music" is getting the re-release treatment. I 
really rate this album. The drummer is really wild, he brings to mind Animal from the Muppet Show. 
and the twangy rock-a-billy guitar bits wouldn't sound out of place on a record by The Cramps. All the 
songs have a great epic atmos about them. At times Johnston is pretty much drowned out by mad 
organ and percussion sounds but then again I think even Tom Waits or Screaming Jay Hawkins 
would struggle to dominate this band when they get going. Highlights include 'Rev Up' and 'Some 
Fool's Mess'. The re-issue comes with bonus live tracks recorded in Berlin in '93. By this time the 
great Terry Edwards has joined the band. There's a brilliant version of 'You Should Be Ashamed' and 
some great harmonica played on 'Push The Boat Out'. Buy two copies of this C.D today. It's Fab.


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