4 beers ★★★★ review of KING MUD from I94 BAR

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You could jump in just about anywhere and soak yourself in the blues. King Mud never strays far from the wellspring. Freddy J’s raunchy guitar and voce are stand-outs, especially on the dirty “War Dancers” and the swampy “Blood River”. Campbell’s feels drive the songs nicely and he’s not one to break into showboating in all that extra space.

The songs are keepers. “Take a Look” recalls Humble Pie’s “40 Days In The Hole” without the soul sister backing and could score radio air-time in an enlightened market. “Rat Time” is Campbell kicking ‘em out before Freddy J kicks in with some crunching riff-work.

No forms of traditional music (i.e the blues) were harmed in the making of this and no reputations damaged. Go here without fear it will be worth your while. – The Barman / I94 BAR HERE

4 stars ★★★★ review of GOSPELBEACH “Pacific Surf Line” from BLURT Magazine

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There are a handful of songs that grab you immediately, like “Mick Jones,” “California Steamer,” “Out Of My Mind (On Cope and Reed,)” and “Alone,” all undeniably instant classics. Some other numbers were more like creepers, that grew on me after several hearings; “Southern Girl,” “Your Freedom,” “Damsel In Distress,” to point to a few. And, while all of the songs range from good to great, it’s the musicianship that steals the show here, just top-notch playing all the way. So, pull on your old Nudie jacket out of the mothballs, roll yourself a bomber, settle back in your overstuffed chair and enjoy that sweet Pacific surf line wherever you are. – Barry ST. Vitus / READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE

The BONNEVILLES featured by TEAMROCK

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Garage punk-blues duo come roaring out of Northern Ireland.
by Julian Marszalek

– Yours is a very filthy sound.

The sound of distorted blues is the sound of the soul. And the punk scene has filtered through, too. It’s the sound of life – it endures. A clean guitar doesn’t do that.

– What was the last thing you learned?

Be humble, because the world will visit humble on you if you’re not.

READ IT HERE

4 stars ★★★★ review of KING MUD from the ROOTS MUSIC REPORT

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Guitarist Freddy J IV and drummer Van Campbell hammer their righteously raucous blues bashin’ into a set of strikingly distinct stand-alone smokers. These veterans of blues-rock outfits, respectively, Left Lane Cruiser and Black Diamond Heavies, don’t forget ballads as well. All executed with no sacrifice of power or grit. Standouts include “Rat Time”, “Arthur’s Hooked” and “War Dancers”. – Duane Verh / ROOTS MUSIC REPORT here

NO DEPRESSION premieres The BONNEVILLES “I’ve Come Too Far For Love To Die”

From Lurgan, Ireland, The Bonnevilles…

Self-annointed a garage, punk, blues outfit like an arrow piercing my very own heart, lovers of heavy licks and head knockin’ back beats need apply in droves. McGibbon’s song writing is never suspect, influenced from those before yet soaked and steadily glazed in a brine of “cheap beer and buckfast” as well as personal stories, characters, and fore-warnings. Simply a band that needs to be on any rock fans radar regardless of where you stand sub-genre wise, you want to dance and feel like a bad ass at the same time, spin this record on your turntable and turn it up well past your comfort zone. – Scott Zuppardo / FULL REVIEW HERE

8.5/10 review of KING MUD from MAXIMUM VOLUME

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The key to KM’s fabulousness is as downright primal as the music they make. The band is a two piece featuring Left Lane Cruiser man Freddy J and Van from Black Diamond Heavies. The former released an album last year charmingly entitled “Dirty Spliff Blues” and the latter are about the only band who can outdo them from grime soaked blues. So put em together and something wonderful might just happen.

It has.

Put simply “Victory Motel Sessions” is what would have happened if instead of selling the Devil his soul at the crossroads, Robert Johnson sold him drugs, it’s glorious, it’s fuzzy and its filthy. Dip into any of its songs from opener “Rat Time” – which appears to be about some carnal desire or other that it’s best not to think about – to its follow up, the rather explanatory “Smoked All My Bud” and the thought remains the same: damn, delta blues ain’t usually like this. – READ THE MAXIMUM VOLUME REVIEW HERE

Nice 8.5/10 review of KING MUD via BLUES ROCK REVIEW

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The added bluesy piano and groovy harmonica easily make “Suzy’s Cookies,” the big hit of the album. Giving off a smooth, chill vibe, you may feel like you are hanging out in King Mud’s garage listening to the guys jam out. This song is just as awesome as the title. – READ THE REVIEW HERE