The Goddamn Gallows, who play the Young Avenue Deli on Saturday, October 11th, started way back in 2004 as a three piece in Portland, Oregon. Founded by Michigan natives Mikey Classic-guitars and vocals, and Fishgutzzz (given name Courtney Kostrick) on bass and vocals, with local Portlander Amanda Kill on a standing cocktail drum kit, the band quickly made a name for itself opening for larger touring acts. In 2006 Classic and Kostrick relocated to Los Angeles where they further honed their sound with the addition of new drummer Baby Genius. They hopped trains, and slept and practiced in squats. They made their way back to Michigan in 2007, which has been their home base ever since, and have toured non-stop, playing over 200 shows a year.
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In 2009, the band added TV’s Avery on washboard and accordion, which led to the solidification of the band and their new sound they christened “gutterbilly.” Not only does multi-instrumentalist Avery add to the band’s compositions, he turns their stage show into an hour of fire breathing, self destructive mayhem.
The band are on tour in support of their fifth studio album, The Maker, which came out in April on Farmageddon Records. The music on this one falls somewhere in the vicinity of sounding like Tiger Army and Steve Earle in a steel cage death match with Entombed as the special guest referee. With new banjoist Joe Perreze, Goddamn Gallows have reached even deeper into the murky waters of American gothic storytelling and folk music. Their songs are narratives on the deadly consequences of riding the rails and traveling dark highways.
They headlined the first two installments of the Muddy Roots Music Festival and have toured with Zeke, The Reverend Horton Heat, Anti-Seen, and a litany of other bands. They head over to Europe next spring, but first they’ll be stopping by the Deli Saturday night. Bring a fire extinguisher.
Goddamn Gallows at the Young Avenue Deli, Saturday, October 11th.
