SHOTGUN EXPRESS - Gypsy Blues (2012)

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Founded in 2009, the German, Stuttgart-based hard rockers SHOTGUN EXPRESS are releasing their debut CD "Gypsy Blues" in Europe.
This young quintet plays '80s American bluesy Hard Rock with a potent sound, where the key is Guns 'N Roses meets Skid Row & Cinderella.

The first thing that gratefully impress you is the very good production, managed by themselves. It helps a lot the mix handled by Pelle Saether (Grand Design vocalist) made in Studio Underground, Sweden.
Musically, the band has also learned perfectly the eighties US book on how to write and arrange songs in this style, playing them all with fire and conviction. Diamond Flow is a charismatic singer with all the swagger needed, and the hot twin guitar attack is fully Marshall-valve induced.
The first trio of songs are really striking and catchy as hell. Opener "Shotgun Express" gets you back to Skid Row's '80s gritty days with this freight train hard rocker full of energy.

"From the Gutter" has a similar punch, decorated with cool cowbells and non-politically correct lyrics, while the title track "Gypsy Blues" adds a high dose of hard-blues to the mix. The song features a great guest appearance of Quireboy's Keith Weir contributing with a really nice honky-tonk piano.
"Gentleman" is more modern but not exempt of the Sunset Blvd. kick. Same with "Victory Or Death" and the gang-backing vocals fueled "L.A.M.F.".
"Angel Without Wings" is one of these ballads with a strong acoustic guitar upfront in the mix, with the vocals weaving the melody in the background. Really nice.
For the end, the band takes some risks covering Percy Sledge's classic "When a Man Loves a Woman", obviously with a bluesy approach.


At the end of the day, "Gypsy Blues" is a more than decent debut by Shotgun Express, a band who knows how to write & play classic US bluesy hard rock with style. This is not a minor accomplishment for an Euro band formed by young musicians at the start of their career.
Shotgun Express have the 'fire' and hungry for glory, an excellent vehicle for their well written songs and solid musicianship. The production is truly great for an indie, to be honest, much better than other 'big names' recent releases in this genre.
Very good CD packaging as well, also available on a blue colored vinyl like in the old good days.
If wild, unrestrained, finely written & played US bluesy hard rock ala early Skid Row / G'NR is your thing, don't miss "Gypsy Blues", you'll be pleasantly surprised.


01 - Shotgun Express
02 - From the Gutter
03 - Gypsy Blues
04 - Gentleman
05 - Angel Without Wings
06 - A Wasted Life
07 - Victory or Death
08 - L.A.M.F.
09 - Suicide
10 - When a Man Loves a Woman

Diamond Flow - Vocals
Johnny Cobra - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Scott Damn - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Robin Robben - Bass, Backing Vocals
Matt Lush - Drums

Guests;
Keith Weir (The Quireboys) - Piano
Mark Bohr (Saidian) - Keyboards
Marcus Jürgens (Pump) - Backing Vocals







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