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Archive | Old Mad Joy

Texas Monthly Review

For well over a decade, the Gourds have made a career out of confounding expectations. Their backwoods appearance and down-and-dirty roots grooves suggest just another redneck party band, but beer-drinking and hell-raising don’t begin to cover all they do. Fronted by oil-and-vinegar singer-songwriters Kevin Russell and Jimmy Smith, the band churns out songs of surprising variety, some […]

Statesman – The Gourds discover new joy in recording “Old Mad Joy”

Songwriters Kevin Russell and Jimmy Smith of Austin band the Gourds weren’t on the same page when they started talking about recording a new album. Russell wanted to leave Texas — and all the distractions of everyday life — and work with an outside producer. “I felt we kept making the same record,” Russell says […]

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Billboard Backbeat: The Gourds Celebrate Vanguard Records Debut Album At L.A. Release Party

“This is the biggest night of our career,” Gourds accordionist/keyboardist Claude Bernard joked early on during the alt-country band’s album release party at Los Angeles’ Echo on Sept. 13. But the ear-to-ear smiles on concertgoers’ faces at the 350-capacity venue proved that it was an evening to remember. The Austin-based group was in high spirits […]

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Canada East Review of Old Mad Joy

The Gourds’ major-label debut Old Mad Joy is career fruition for these veteran Austin, Texas alternative country rockers. Guitarist Kevin Russell and bassist Jimmy Smith split compositions and lead vocals down the middle. This hallmark of two distinctive and capable frontmen and singers has always given The Gourds a rich double-pronged attack. Claude Bernard (keys), […]

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Blurt Reviews Old Mad Joy

It seems somewhat surprising, but even at this point in their trajectory, with so many fine albums behind them, the Gourds remain relatively unknown. A sturdy roots rock combo, they have a lot of elements in their favor – a steady sense of song craft, an able instrumental arsenal and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness […]