FRIDAY, JULY 26
Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: $20
GA-20 will be at Struthers Library Theatre on Friday, July 26, at 8PM. Sponsored by Warren Concert Association. GA-20 clearly is on to something big. It’s a movement, a new traditional blues revival. The dynamic, throwback blues trio are disciples of the place where traditional blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll intersect. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says guitarist Matt Stubbs. “It’s our take on the song-based traditional electric blues we love.” Stubbs and guitarist/vocalist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman have been at the forefront of this traditional blues revival since they first formed in 2018. It’s no wonder they skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Blues Charts. “Since we started the band we’ve focused on the story, the melody, and on creating a mood. Playing live as much as we do, we’re finding more and more that people are discovering how cool it all is. Traditional country, soul and funk music have all had these massive recent revivals, but traditional blues so far has not.” With their new Colemine album, Crackdown, and an intensive tour schedule, that’s all about to change.
On Crackdown, GA-20’s third full-length release, the band creates an unvarnished, ramshackle blues that is at once traditional and refreshingly modern. Expanding on their previous releases (2019’s Lonely Soul and 2021’s Try It…You Might Like It! GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor) GA-20 finds inspiration on the edges of the genre, where early electric blues first converged with country and rock ‘n’ roll. The album’s nine original songs include the loping Louisiana-flavored Dry Run, the dirty and bare-bones Easy On The Eyes and the melodic garage tinge of Fairweather Friend. With tight, propulsive performances and a brevity and punk energy reminiscent of The Ramones, Crackdown is rowdy and fun, filled with instantly memorable and well-crafted songs. Crackdown was recorded live at famed Q Division Studios in Somerville, Massachusetts, and, like GA-20’s previous releases, produced by Stubbs. “We set up the drums and amps all in one room, using a limited number of microphones and employing some vintage recording techniques,” explains Stubbs. “We brought in a lot of old amps and guitars and had fun exploring different amp/guitar combinations, and took a good amount of time dialing in the drum and guitar sounds before getting down to work.”
Since first forming in 2018, GA-20 has drawn inspiration for their old-school sounds from the music they love by artists such as Otis Rush, J.B. Lenoir, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, Lloyd Price, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and so many others. Performing with what feels like reckless abandon, GA-20 brings a timeless immediacy to every song they play with a sound that continues to grow and evolve. The Boston Herald calls them, “a magical blues trio.”
Hailing from Buffalo NY, Handsome Jack has been named the “Best Blues Band in WNY”. However, Handsome Jack is more than just a blues band. This all original band writes songs that are a powerful and emotional fusion of boogie, soul and rock n roll! They have earned the admiration of fellow rock travelers such as Chris Robinson (CRB, Black Crowes), Zachary Gabbard (Buffalo Killers, Black Keys), and Ben McLeod of All Them Witches, who produced their record “Everything is gonna be alright”.
Ever the road warriors, Handsome Jack is back in the USA after embarking on a rigorous European tour in February and March of ‘24. They’ve toured the US and Canada extensively over the last 15 years sharing the stage with the likes of The Sheepdogs, All Them Witches, King Buffalo, Govt Mule, Rival Sons, Monster Truck, Cedric Burnside and Robert Randolph, just to name a few.
Their Newest effort “A Good Thing” channels the warm bushy beards of ZZ TOP, yet still manages to infuse the boogie soul sound that makes Handsome Jack unique.
Handsome Jack is Jamison Passuite (guitar/vocals), Joey Verdonselli (bass/vocals), and Bennie Hayes (drums/vocals).
Roots Rising is a new Struthers Library Theatre concert series focusing on original American roots music. The series aims to build community and inspire creativity by presenting nationally recognized blues, country, folk, bluegrass, and Americana artists. Join us in our mission to connect friends, families, and neighbors with affordable, high-quality entertainment. The series consists of ticketed main-stage events and free Sally’s Encore Theatre Bar events. Sponsored by Warren Concert Association.