Closed Knuckle Jaw: The Grizzled Mighty Erupt
The Grizzled Mighty – Closed Knuckle Jaw
Red Bull Sound Select (2015)
By Jay Gorham
Little is known of the origins of Seattle band The Grizzled Mighty, but according to their bio statement they “…formed in the fiery belly of an active volcano.” After hearing their third full-length album, Closed Knuckle Jaw, I believe them.
The Grizzled Mighty are Ryan Granger (Vocals, Guitar) and Lupe Flores (Drums) [replacing former drummer, Whitney Petty, (Deerhunter, Thunderpussy)] and they deliver a combustible brand of rock and roll that drips with the blues like sauce on a plate of barbecue. Though the similarities are evident on the surface, don’t compare this band to The White Stripes,; if you must offer another band as a reference point, think of them as the Carpenters… back from the grave and ready for revenge.
Ryan’s gritty guitar actually reminds me of ZZ Top legend Billy Gibbons on several tracks, but it’s The Grizzled Mighty’s amazing dynamics that impress me the most. “Chantael” might make you roll down the windows and accelerate your vehicle (so don’t say you weren’t warned); “Luna Nova’ offers a heavier, more psychedelic take on blues rock; and the acoustic “Need You Tonight” simmers with honesty.
In fact, every song on Closed Knuckle Jaw further scorches this band’s mark on the music world, making good on the assertion that they “erupted from the innermost rings of hell, spewing forth like a flaming phoenix.” – (8/10)
The Grizzled Mighty perform at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham on February 20, at Neumos in Seattle on February 21 and in Portland at the Bunk Bar on Feruary 28. For more information visit their Facebook page.
- Check out Gemma’s review of The Grizzled Mighty at Bumbershoot 2013
- Read Andy’s 2012 introduction to The Grizzled Mighty