Barisal Guns is a rock band born in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They take their name from a natural phenomenon whereby unexplained thundering noises are heard in the river delta over a small town in Bangladesh. Closer in style to the 1970's rock movement than to today's modern rock scene, Barisal Guns offers its fans a loud, guitar driven sound "with hints of Zeppelin and Blind Melon," says Keeley Kristin of Warning magazine.
After being scattered to different parts of the country, lead guitarist Ken Faucheux and drummer Ashley Sutton stayed in contact by telephone with the hopes of one day playing music together again. They reconvened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to play music with brothers Ben (vocals/guitar) and Liam Catchings (bass/keyboards). Barisal Guns performs throughout the southeast to a rapidly growing fan base. The group has taken the stage at premier venues such as the Howlin' Wolf, Tipitina's, the House of Blues Parish Room in New Orleans and the House of Blues main stage in Dallas. Released in late 2008, the Guns debut album, No. 1, was recorded and mixed in two separate Grammy-winning recording studios in Louisiana. The first album is available online at iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and more and at a number ofmusic stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. The band is currently touring regionally while recording their second studio album due later this year.
Peering through the eyes of Baton Rouge’s Barisal Guns, you would see a landscape dotted with houses of the holy and ensconced in smoke on the water. The band makes no effort to hide its classic rock leanings on No. 1. The title track rides high on a galloping rhythm before succumbing to an air guitar-worthy solo. The album is evenly mixed with what you might expect: smoldering blues numbers (“Stagelightâ€), arena-ready anthems (“Come Inâ€) and heavy riff meteors complete with an over-the-top drum solo (“Son of Kongâ€). There are, however, a couple of songs that pull them back from being Spinal Tap. “In My Mind†is a sweet yet dense love song that sounds like an improbably successful mix of Big Star and Yes. Companion pieces “Where’d I Go Wrong†and the Beatles-esque “Where’d We Go Wrong†would make for a rather brilliant single.
Alex V. Cook - 225 Magazine, 225BatonRouge.com
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