Something I Learned Today

Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

Riverboat Gamblers

October 26th, 2005 | Posted by: Eric | Category: Modern Trash, Garage Punk

I don’t care what anyone says, I dig the Riverboat Gamblers. I’ve read a great deal criticism of them on various message boards that state the Gamblers records are “too rock”, or their shows are “too choreographed”, or they’re “rockstars” for playing the Warped Tour. Hell, I too was skeptic, but a listen to 2003’s Something To Crow About made me a believer. It flat out smokes. Their 2001 self titled is also a worthwhile rawk investment. To me the band sounds like a tougher version of the Supersuckers jamming with Sugar Shack, cranking out melodic, anthemic rock action. Good stuff.

Despite all of the praise I’ll warn you off of 2004’s Backsides, which is supposedly a ‘contractual obligation’ deal. By comparison to the previous releases Backsides is relatively mediocre, dragged down by lackluster songs and muddy production. I’m hoping the band’s planned next album (supposedly being recorded now) plays like proper follow up to Something To Crow About. Here’s a couple:

from 2001’s self-titled debut
Riverboat Gamblers - Jenna.mp3
Riverboat Gamblers - Drink Alone.mp3

from 2003’s Something To Crow About
Riverboat Gamblers - Rattle Me Bones.mp3
Riverboat Gamblers - Ice Water.mp3

End:

  • Buy Riverboat Gamblers releases
  • official Riverboat Gamblers site
  • Photo swiped from Gearhead Records

    • 5 Comments so far

    1. Dfactor October 27th, 2005 10:02 pm

      SMOKE indeed! Rattle Me Bones is rockin’ my bones RIGHT NOW…

    2. jake October 28th, 2005 1:49 am

      These guys are awesome live. We played with them at SXSW in ‘01 and they were on fire. Definitely worth checkin’ out if they come around.

    3. derek stukuls October 29th, 2005 6:17 pm

      sounds like some bullet la volta to me. not bad at all.

    4. Dave November 1st, 2005 4:16 pm

      Something To Crow About is a great record. I saw em live in Wilmington, Delaware at the Barn Door.

      I wouldn’t say they were choreographed, but the lead singer was all over the place and it kind of seemed a bit much - not as spontaneous as someone as David Yow, but still pretty fun to see live. But that one record is definitely kick-ass.

    5. Max August 22nd, 2007 2:15 pm

      These guys were a really solid band. Not sure what’s up with “Backsides” or their new one “To the Confusion of our Enemies” (which I’ve also heard referred to as “To the Confusion of our Fans”). It’s almost like a completely different band, and sadly not as good a band. But, regardless of what they pump out in the future, “Something to Crow About” is one of the best records to come out in a while.

    Leave a reply