THE GAS HOUSE GORILLAS: Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas

The Gas House Gorillas

Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas

© 2004 Rick Fink (829757673028)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Swingin' & Rockin' Jump, Rhythm & Blues.

notes

"When the band is having as much fun on stage as the crowd, you know you're in for a special night!"

Lou Acevedo - JSJBF Jazz & Blues Notes


The Band:
Rick Fink/ vocals & acoustic guitar
"Crusher" Carmean/ bass
"Handsome" Dan Alvaro/ sax
Jimmy Prav/ guitar & lap steel
Joe Geary / drums

It's members have appeared on stage or recorded with such greats as B.B. King, Gary U.S. Bonds, Los Lobos, Baby Face, Chubby Checker,
Wu-Tang Klan and Jerry Lee Lewis,
as well as t.v. appearances that include the
Today Show.
Tapping into his long time love of all things that swing, jump and rock, nine of the thirteen songs on the band's new CD were written by the band leader himself. The songs encompass a broad range of styles that include Jump Blues, Gypsy Swing, early Rock & Roll, New Orleans R & B and even Country-Western.
Equally adept at "swingin' the Blues" as they are at conjuring the fiery intensity of an early Rock & Roll combo, the Gorillas' sound is uniquely retro and modern all at once.
All descriptions aside, however, this is fun music for people who like to have a good time!


"Thanks to 'Roots' musicians Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas, our beloved borough again proves itself a melting pot- this time of Americana!"
- Brooklyn Daily Eagle

"Rick Fink is an intense, charismatic and uninhibited performer, willing to go as far as he has to go to get an audience crazy."
Andy Glass - The Music Paper

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • performing is what being in the band is all about
    author: BERNADETTE SCOTT - Asbury Park Press 09/01/05

    Three years ago, Rick Fink booked the first gig for Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas when he was the sole member of the band. Using only a demo tape to promote his band, the 43-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., resident had to scramble to recruit blues and rock musicians to create his "Gas House Gorillas." "It (jump blues and rock 'n' roll music) was something I always had an interest in, so I started sending out e-mails to people who played this type of music," he said. A Bugs Bunny cartoon provided the inspiration behind the band's catchy name. "It came from a cartoon where he (Bugs Bunny) plays a game of baseball vs. a team named the Gas House Gorillas," Fink said. "And the name has been floating around in my head for years." Fink described the group as five men who "crack each other up on stage and have a really nice and relaxed vibe, because they are all friends." Members of the band include Fink, guitar and vocals; Joe Geary, drums; Jimmy Prav, guitar; Chris "Crusher" Carmean, bass; and Dan Alvaro, saxophone. "It is an extremely rare situation when you can get into a group of guys with such a focused group mentality toward the band," said Carmean, 42, of Pequannock, Morris County, "It is very rare when all members of a band are on the same page and everyone has equal amounts of ego — it's awesome." Fink explained how the band has started to catch on to listeners and build a strong audience base. "In the beginning, everyone thought of us as a swing band, and that drives me nuts," he said. "When I think of swing bands I think of guys in mustard-yellow zoot suits — and we wanted to do something different. "We like to do different kinds of songs and play for regular people. We have done some of the Lindy-Hop gigs, but you are expected to keep a medium-tempo swing all night and become a metronome. We are performers." Fink said he models his performances after the late Queen frontman Freddy Mercury's fearlessness because he, "makes the performance an event and has the crowd be a big part of (the performance)." Musically, Fink said he has been inspired by blues legend Wynonie Harris, Gene Autry, Sam Cooke, Cab Calloway and Elvis Presley. The songs encompass a range of styles, including jump blues, gypsy swing, early rock 'n' roll, New Orleans R&B and country-western, according to the band's Web site, www.gashousegorillas.org. For Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas, performing is what being in the band is all about. "There is no drug or sexual act that can take the place at that moment when the band is (performing) and doing what it's suppose to be doing," Carmean said. "It's completely and totally why a musician plays." "It feels like flying when I am performing. It feels effortless," Fink said. "You are throwing energy back-and-forth (with the audience and band), and everyone is together." The band members all have their own personal performance style, Carmean said. "I get into my music completely and totally, and tend to get violent with my bass," he said. "I kick, spin and throw it, but only if it's really moving me." "The bigger the crowd, the better. When we get up (to perform) it feels like this is my house," Fink said with a laugh. "The chemistry in the band is what keeps me doing it, but sometimes all the work can be a drag," Fink said. "The fact is the band is filled with killer musicians, and it's amazing when we are on stage together. I could do it seven days a week."

  • these hep simians can pound their chests proudly...
    author: Dante Murphy, Port Halcyon

    There's no doubt that these guys love music. It shows not only in their playing, but also in the songs and style they've chosen to present on their self-titled CD. Featuring jump blues, modern small-combo swing, even sweet country, these hep simians can pound their chests proudly about their debut release. Starting with the can't-miss Wynonie Harris classic "Quiet Whiskey", this NYC-based quintet specializes in get-happy swing made for dancing or singing along. Upbeat numbers like "Last Chance Motor Ride" and "Find a Little Boogie" are sure to fill the dancefloor, as are the hot-jazz "Sing for Your Supper" and bonus track "The Joint Is Jumpin'". Frontman Rick Fink's vocals do not measure up to the legendary blues-shouting of Harris or Joe Turner, but the good news is that he doesn't try to overstep his ability. In many ways that is the charm of this group of serviceable musicians who let the greatness of the music carry the mail. Perhaps the one standout is sax-man Dan Alvaro, nicely showcased on a pumping version of "Powerhouse". Still, Fink finds a high note in the shuffle-sweet "When I Come Home", accompanied by the understated strumming of Jimmy Prav and the tip-toe rhythm of bassist "Crusher" Carmean and drummer Joe Geary. The group's foray into country, "Home Again", is a bit misplaced in this collection, but speaks to an honest love of melody. All in all, it's a nice collection of standards and familiar riffs that stands on its own merits.

  • good CD for dancing
    author: Jack

    Fun music to dance lindy to. A couple of the cuts are good for west coast swing, also. This band is great to listen to live in person!

  • This was a fun CD to listen to, it sounds like the band had fun recording it and
    author: Peter "BLEWZZMAN" Lauro

    Wow, another CD from another foreign country. We can now add Brooklyn to the list of countries that include Canada, Sweden, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil, where we here at http://www.mary4music.com/ have received CD's to review. Wuddya meen Brooklyn ain't no kuntree? Day have dere own langwidge dont't day? (....sic). Well, if you took a few hundred mid westerners and put them in Brooklyn there is no doubt in my mind they would think they were in a foreign country and that's good enough for me. All kidding aside, it is a pleasure for me to review a CD from a band from my home town, good old Brooklyn, New York. I'm willing to bet I grew up stealing hub caps with some of these musicians fathers.......OK, OK, enough with the Brooklyn humor and on with the review "RICK FINK AND HIS GAS HOUSE GORILLAS", the title of the CD as well as the name of the band, has fun written all over it. This was a fun CD to listen to, it sounds like the band had fun recording it and I am sure this is a fun act to catch live. The CD contains nine originals out of twelve tracks, and the lyrics on those originals are also fun. The GORILLAS consist of RICK FINK on vocals and acoustic guitar, JIMMY PRAV on guitar and lap steel, "HANDSOME" DAN ALVARO on sax, CHRIS "CRUSHER" CARMEAN on bass and JOE GEARY on drums. Collectively they have appeared with B. B. KING, GARY U. S. BONDS, CHUBBY CHECKER, BABY FACE, LOS LOBOS, JOE SAMPLE, JERRY LEE LEWIS and on who knows how many wanted posters......ooooops, there goes that Brooklyn thing again. The CD opens with "QUIET WHISKEY", and on this cut the band clearly states their style. It is a great swing song with lots of whaling saxophone. The mood continues right into track two, another cover called "POWERHOUSE", a jumpy tune with lots more whaling sax. On "FIND A LITTLE BOOGIE", the first original cut on the CD, the band did just that..... they found a little boogie and ran with it. This tune rocked. The tone mellows with "WHEN I COME HOME", a nice soft ballad with very tender lyrics and a hell of a soft, sexy saxophone and continues in the same direction with a nice little shuffle called "LAST CHANCE MOTOR RIDE", which features that ever present saxophonist DAN ALVARO. "MISERY" (all 365 days of it) and "COOKIN AT HOME" are two very retro rock and roll sounding numbers with very interesting and humorous lyrics. "HOME AGAIN", which closes the CD is unlike any other track on the CD. It is a twangy, country ballad that features some real good harmony and was quite enjoyable listening. I enjoyed this CD so much that I leave you with this recommendation. If you're ever in the Brooklyn area, try to catch this band. And, keep your eyes on your hubcaps.....just kidding. Yo Gorillas........give my regards to President Street in South Brooklyn.

  • Brian Setzer fans will love this
    author: Peter Cooper

    I love this style of music and the Gorillas put it across the way it should. Lots of energy and you can tell they love playing together and love what they do.

  • Talented musicians, and vocals to make your momma swoon.
    author: Tommy White Tie

    Hey everybody, I've been lucky enough to get my hands on this fine CD and can tell you that it's worth every penny. Solid tunes, talented musicians, and vocals to make your momma swoon. Even a bonus track for those who stick around 'til the end. Congrats on the new album, Rick!

  • Tastes like my favorite fried chicken with a little more zest.
    author: Albert MacNaughton

    Based on the absence of covers on this disc, (only three out of fourteen) it's apparent that Fink likes to play wordsmith. Some great lyrics elevate songs that would be otherwise simplistic above other composers of the genre. Production value is good, with an organic, analog flavor. Jazzy outright swingers mix with rockabilly tinged rockers in a potful of tasty stew that keeps your intrest throughout. The Flamenco intro to Sing for Your Supper seems a bit of a non-sequiter given the spirit of the song, but hey... why not? The moody When I Come Home soothes the savage beast (Gorilla?) and Last Chance Motor Ride proves Fink's lyrical finesse. I give this disk four stars so I have somewhere to go when Fink's next collection shows up! Rick Fink and His Gashouse Gorillas could get a double amputee tapping his toes! Give it a go!

email

Please log in to email this artist.