Gorilla and Grifter Releasing Gorilla vs. Grifter Split Next Month
Some people just gotta turn everything into a fight. Gorilla vs. Grifter, a new split release from HeviSike Records, is due out April 15, and as the title hints, it brings together the titular UK acts for a knock-down drag-out rock and roll brawl the likes of which, well, have probably been seen at some point but will still probably be really cool. The second in an apparently ongoing series, it follows 2015’s HeviSike split between Stubb and Mos Generator, which was high on the list of last year’s finest short offerings. The kind of thing that might want to make you show up for the sequel.
By way of a spoiler, I’ll be streaming one of Grifter‘s tracks this week coming up, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that. Looking like Wednesday, if you want to mark the calendar. I’ve got mine marked for it. Should be a good time.
Till then, here are the preliminaries off the PR wire:
Announcing new split album from two UK power trios Gorilla and Grifter – released 15 April 2016
Gorilla vs Grifter
A new split album from two of the UK’s hottest power trios.
Released 15th April 2016 on HeviSike Records
Artwork by Maarten Donders
GORILLA are no strangers to fans of heavy-as-hell rock n’ roll. The no-nonsense power trio, led by The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell frontman Johnny Gorilla, have released three albums since forming in the late 1990s.
One of the last bands standing from the first wave of UK underground rock, the three-piece have played festivals including Roadburn and Duna Jam and shared the stage with the likes of Fu Manchu, Josiah, Witchcraft and Gentleman’s Pistols. Joining founding members Johnny (guitar & vocals) and Sarah Jane (bass) is new sticksman Ryan Matthews.
English three-piece GRIFTER have made a name for themselves as one of the premier touring acts through frequent live appearances. As well as releasing two albums and two EPs on labels including Catacomb Records and Ripple Music, the trio have performed at Desertfest, Bloodstock, Freak Valley and more plus toured with Orange Goblin.
Formed in 2003, Grifter’s line-up has gone unchanged; Foz on drums, Phil on bass and Ollie on guitar and vocals. The trio consider themselves simply a rock band; drawing influences from across the board, Grifter present a sound that can only be described as loud and heavy hard rock.
Gorilla vs Grifter will be the second in a planned series of split albums released through HeviSike, following 2015’s Mos Generator // Stubb split release.
The album has been mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator) and features a unique cover designed by Dutch artist Maarten Donders, known for his poster designs for Blues Pills and Roadburn Festival amongst others.
The two English power trios join the Birmingham-based imprint as special guests at an exciting time following the label’s launch in late 2014. Previous output from the label includes the debut EP from Chicago psychedelic rockers Dead Feathers and albums from Elevators to The Grateful Sky, Prophets of Saturn, Desert Suns and Palm Desert amongst others.
Available as a limited edition vinyl record in two colour-ways, Gorilla vs Grifter will be available to pre-order from Friday 1st April ahead of its 15th April release date.
Colour vinyl options:
Gold – (limited to 100 copies, hevisike.com exclusive)
Yellow / Blue Marbled
The album will be distributed by Plastic Head Distribution in the UK & Europe and by MVD Entertainment in North America.
Gorilla vs Grifter will be available digitally through bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify and other digital outlets.
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