The Gypsie Howls
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Music
Press
Junk Rock Fluke by The Gypsie Howls is one of those rare albums you will pick up and love immediately.
Describing themselves as “brass powered melodic folk-rock”, this sextet have combined the standard guitar/bass/drum rock combo with a healthy dose of keyboards and a deliciously generous helping of trombone and trumpet to come up with their own brand of get up and dance your ass off rock music.
Its impossible not to like this album, it’s simply pure brilliance. I am sitting here at my desk listening to it as I type and my feet steadfastly refuse to stop tapping. (much to the annoyance of the coachroaches under my desk who are trying to devour my leftover lunch)
Lead vocals are shared between Kristy Hulka, who has this incredibly powerful voice and Ben Mauri who shows his versatility by ripping through “Market Man” like a hurricane on steroids then slows everything down to give a goosebumping performance on “Kelly”.
The addition of a brass section to the group adds a whole new dimension to their music and creates this wonderful wall of sound that does nothing to diminish the need for your toes to keep tapping.
There is something for everyone here from the haunting strains of the diggeridoo on “Railway Song” through to funky “China Man” and the full force of the combined guitar/brass assault on “Market Man”.
Its an album best played loud (you may even be forgiven for playing the drums on the steering wheel at traffic lights) till the neighbours wander over with a carton of beer and some nacho chips and hot and spicy salsa sauce.
Do yourself a favour and go get yourself some Junk Rock today... better still fill your boots with a pinch of Gypsie Howls live... your boots will love you for it.
Review Score: 9/10 - Au Review
Discography
EP - Junk rock Fluke - released July 2011
Tracks "Pumpkin Soup" and "Market Man" receive regular airplay on RTRfm 92.1 Perth and have also received some airplay on triple J
Photos
Bio
In 2011 The Gypsie Howls came full circle when the sextet played a ripping, rocking set to a massive moshing crowd at the Fairbridge festival, one that Lyndon Blue described as "tight, talented and punchy". Years earlier, Kirsty (vocals, keys) met Ben (vocals,guitar) at Fairbridge, and after a couple of chance encounters the two bonded over their shared musical interest, writing some songs and playing around Perth as The KirBens.
Before too long, The KirBens picked up four other members, transforming the duo into a dynamic sextet playing powerful bluesy/rocky/folky/jazzy numbers, combining Kirsty's massive pipes and virtuosic piano talent with Ben's rock chops, topped off with a super tight two piece horn section.
The KirBens quickly became dancefloor faves, playing the Next Big Thing semis in 2010 and the National Campus Bands State Final in both 2009 and 2010 where they played "a ripping set, with singer Kirsty Hulka really belting out some sassy, fantastic vocals" (X-Press).
Following a massive year of gigging, the band emerged with new songs and focus in 2011 as The Gypsie Howls, hitting the studio and playing their first festival dates to rave reviews at Nannup and an absolutely epic homecoming at Fairbridge.
The Gypsie Howls released their debut EP 'Junk Rock Fluke' in July 2011 at a riotous sold-out show at MOJOS Fremantle. Since then they have received a generous amount of airplay from RTRfm and some airplay on Triple J. In 2012 they hit the studios again to begin mixing and recording their new funked up sound.
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