Victory Gin
My Soul Responding
© 2003 Kill the Bunny, LLC
CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!
Victory Gin's music is like a tallboy of Budweiser bursting straight from the heartland. Stinging Les Paul guitars, shout-along choruses and a down-home demeanor -- it's a fine serving of classic rock made new by the Sacramento band.
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By Chris Macias -- Sacramento Bee Pop Music Writer
June 27, 2003
Victory Gin's music is like a tallboy of Budweiser bursting straight from the heartland. Stinging Les Paul guitars, shout-along choruses and a down-home demeanor -- it's a fine serving of classic rock made new by the Sacramento band.
Shades of the Black Crowes figure in Victory Gin's sound, especially in the Chris Robinson-like howl from singer Devon Galley and the bang-'em-up accompaniment from drummer Adam Dickey, guitarist Bryan Ritchie and bassist Dave Rapa.
It's a band of early-20-somethings with roots ranging from Placerville to Citrus Heights and Southern California. Now, Victory Gin is shining in Sacramento's music scene like a butane lighter salute.
"There's big guitars and a blues kind of vibe to everything, but we definitely don't want to be a '70s rock band," said Ritchie. "It's not that I don't like that music. But we're just trying to write songs, and they sound the way they sound. We just try to write hooks, man, and I try to think that we can sound unique."
Victory Gin's latest batch of good-time rock can be heard on its new self-released album, "My Soul Responding." To celebrate, the group is embarking on a double shot tonight: First, the band will perform at Cesar Chavez Plaza, and later in the evening will head over to Old Ironsides for another gig.
The new album, however, is more like an EP, with six new tunes and one live track. "My Soul Responding" originally was supposed to include two more songs -- and the liner notes still bear this early track listing -- that were produced by Brian Wheat, the bassist for Tesla.
Pairing Victory Gin with a member of Tesla is a snug fit. Both bands share a hearty Led Zeppelin influence and celebrate a workingman's kind of rock that's bound in denim. (Though the members of Victory Gin don't cite Tesla as an influence, they could probably do a mean version of Tesla's "Little Suzi.")
Yet the tracks with Wheat will have to wait. Though he has become a fan of the band and recorded Victory Gin at his home studio, nobody was happy with the final results on "Running Away" and "U-Turn."
"Brian didn't like the band at first, but then he saw us live and said, 'Let's go work on some songs,' " said Ritchie. "First, we were going to do three songs, then we did two, but we didn't finish them. We figured that it would be better to release them when they were ready and not do it just to do it. It's not a big deal."
So Victory Gin scrapped the Wheat sessions and released "My Soul Responding" anyway. After all, new merchandise means a new stream of income to fuel future tours. And Victory Gin is a band that likes to take road trips, gigging as far east as Cincinnati and all over the West, including stops in Seattle, Salt Lake City and Denver.
"The live show is definitely our strength," said Ritchie. "Our musicianship is also really good, and definitely has saved us on some nights. The recording studio is relatively new to us, and we can't afford to be in the studio that long. We can't stay in for a month and do a real colorful album. But I think the new album captures our live sound best. People have said, 'That's now how you sound live.' "
Such tracks as "Won't Be Long" and the live version of "U-Turn" are certainly a kick in the jeans. Even when Galley sings about being "Fated To Fail," stacked vocal harmonies and strummy guitars keep Victory Gin's glass half-full.
Meanwhile, the band will take its show on the road in August, while re-recorded versions of "U-Turn" and "Runnin' Away" will likely crop up on a future album or EP.
"We're at the top of our game now," said Ritchie. "More than musically, we've grown as friends and brothers. We're on a mission."
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reviews
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- author: MoFlicka
Not as good as there Missouri Flat Album wich is awesome!
HA HA HA
author: Kellythat guy can fuck off, we LOVE you!!!!!
This is uber-Generic Suckramento rock. Thumbs down, you lose!
This is uber-Generic Suckramento rock. Thumbs down, you lose!
A new found hangover remedy
author: RaydonThis CD is simply the best CD i've heard in a long time. I woke up to it the other morning, and it actually made my hangover more enjoyable, if not simply less severe. Thanks for the relief VG.
changed my musical influence
author: christhe cd was insane. I loved it, and it definately opened my eyes to a new kind of rock that should be revolutionizing the rock industry. the music will live forever though the band is gone.
another winner!!!!!!!!!!!!
author: kevin and elsieWELL YOU BOYS DID IT AGAIN..FROM THE DAY WE MET OUT IN OUR BACK YARD TO TODAY, YOU GUYS HAVE NEVER FAILED TO AMAZE US WITH YOUR TALENT..THIS CD IS OUTSTANDING!
This Cd is so kick ass!!
author: KayleeI think the cd is so awesome!! I have seen them live a few times and i cant wait to see them again!! I love you victory Gin!!
Amazing!!!!
author: KelliI have been following the band since the beging and have loved all the guys' work, but man this new CD is ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING! The music has so much feeling and has a great rhythm. With each release they have grown musically and I have just been blown away by their talent. This CD is a MUST BUY for ALL music lovers, it is a great additon to any collection. VG ROCKS!!!
I must say the CD came out fantastic, best in Sac!
author: The ZanzabarI've been tracking the progress of this album thru a couple of friends in the band and the final mix is excellent. It's hard to find some good ol' rock'n'roll these days, especially locally. I am listening to the CD righrt now and i've got to say - "It's Fantastic Guys!"- the best music to come out of Sacramento in quite a while!-ZW
It's easy to review this CD, it rocks!
author: TiffanyThis CD is awesome. The guitar licks and vocals are amazing! I saw them live and it was even better than the CD!If you haven't checked out Victory Gin yet, I would strongly advise you to do so!