December Birthdays 
The Greasy Gills - Greasiest Hits (Self-Released)
Plain and simple this is a fun CD! The trio of Jordan (guitar), Sam (bass), and Gracie (drums) have composed a fantastic collection on this here polycarbonate disc. The first track, “Banana Fiasco” starts with a catchy melody that lays the groundwork for the fun that lies ahead. What else would a song about a botanical berry blunder indicate? Both “Swamp Meet” and “Crash Test Mummies” keep the party rolling with their captivating melodies. We also see the triplicity giving us a glimpse of their sense of humor. The danceability continues as the album progresses and surf music enthusiasts with be delighted by the reverb, surf beat, and yes, some appropriately used kicks of the reverb tank. As the name implies, “Fistful of Rumble” is a catchy, Spaghetti Western number. The title is even more thought-provoking as it’s a nod to their East Bay neighbor who starred in the film.
The Gills also incorporate influences from their twangy-neighbors, county music. This is most apparent in their cover of Roy Clark’s 1963 toe-tapper, “Texas Twist.” The surfed-out ‘twist’ was originally released as a single on their Bandcamp page and featured an amusing take on Mr. Clark’s album artwork. Part of me expected to find out that this “high octwang” trio originated in Nashville, TN. As it turns out their roots are in Oakland, CA. The talented triad expands upon their Nashville inspiration with, “Steel Guitar Rag” adding their admiration of the legendary Scott Joplin’s syncopations to the mix. For those wanting a more exotic approach to their instrumental music, grab a Rum Runner and spin “Aloha Prisoners” and “Tiko Tiko.” If first-wave surf music is your fancy, “Mr. Rebel” tips its hat to some of the greats.
There is enough variety in the music to keep the listener engaged during multiple listens. Throughout the album, the songs are memorable and have been arranged with intentionality and care. While much could be said of the guitarist’s chops, Sam on the bass and Gracie on the drums hold their own. They are playing more than the basics and we’re not inundated with bland bass lines and constant surf beats. You have the pleasure of listening to three talented musicians who have an exothermic chemistry.
The album artwork features plenty of gnarly gills, an homage to the 1950s Creature from the Black Lagoon. The “models” are wearing vintage dresses and look like they were “borrowed” from a women’s sewing pattern kit of the same era. To show us more about their personalities, the cover’s background contains an electrical schematic. It’s quite amusing. This self-released CD comes in a cardboard sleeve. There are 14 tracks with an ample 39-minute runtime.
Order CD from The Greasy Gills BC Page
As reviewed in Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 1
—Matthew
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Email: Matthew_e_clark_6@hotmail.com
