Music Monday – The Dirty Guv’nahs

“I remember the first time I saw them a few years ago at Barley’s Taproom in Knoxville. The band played for literally three hours, and I danced and danced and danced with all my friends, drinking Newcastle and sweating in my cowboy boots the night before we ran all over the Georgia Bulldogs.” – Jess Boyd, a follower of this blog.

Photographed by Ashley Haskins

It seems like everybody in these parts are talking about The Dirty Guvnah’s. I’ve had a handful of readers email and tweet to me asking if I’d heard of them, each one telling me how fun of a show they put on and how great of guys they are. After visiting their website and reading that the Knoxville community elected “The Guvs” as the “Best Band In Knoxville” for 4 years running, I’d had enough. It was time for a listen.

As it turns out, this band is more than just a group of guys with a really cool band name. I gave their most recently released album, Youth Is In Our Blood (available for a free download on Noise Trade), a listen. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything exciting, as I typically find the band that “everyone is talking about” to be overrated. I was wrong. This band is exciting! Their sound is described perfectly as “a passionate, jubilant slice of rock meets Americana, accomplished through a sturdy foundation of gritty guitar tones and tight rhythms, accented with smooth harmonies, crunchy Hammond organ, bluesy piano and vigorous lead guitar solos.” Nailed it.

Thanks to Jess (quoted up top), I was able to get in contact with James, the lead singer, for a few questions.

Where were you all raised?
Everyone was raised in Knoxville except myself. I was born and raised in the Franklin / Columbia, TN area. I went to high school at Franklin High. Go Rebels. We all met in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee. Get ’em Vols. The band started as a fun thing to do on weekends while in school, entertaining people with music and songs we’d written. Then, it quickly became our passion and started taking over our lives…and we are grateful for it and for the support of all the fans. It’s a crazy life that we now live…one that none of us expected to live.

Y’all live in Knoxville, correct?
Yes, we all currently live in Knoxville and love it. We might be smaller than a lot of other southern cities, but Knoxville has more heart.

Favorite southern city you’ve played in?
Knoxville is our favorite place to play. This is our hometown, and they are the ones that encouraged us from the beginning. We don’t plan on ever moving.

What’s y’alls favorite thing about being a part of the southern music scene?
The southern music scene is alive and kicking. If you’re willing to put in the hours and tour, then you gain immediate respect among your peers. Musicians all share a common bond because they each know how much work it takes to be heard. We love the south, probably as much or more than anyone else.

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I couldn’t choose between the first two songs on Youth Is In Our Blood so I’m sharing them both, as they are both equally my favorites. Happy Monday!

The Dirty Guv’nahs “Baby We Were Young”

The Dirty Guv’nahs “Wide Awake”

The Guv’s are currently touring the South, of course, so check ’em out if they’re stopping in your town.