After a two year break, the San Francisco guitar-drum duo TWO GALLANTS will begin touring again this summer across the North America and Europe. The well needed time off came after 6 years of incessant touring and the release of 3 full length studio albums and an acoustic EP. The band consists of childhood friends Tyson Vogel and Adam Stephens who met on their elementary school playground at the age of 5. Despite an initial disagreement and ensuing scuffle over the supremacy of White Lion vs. White Snake, the two have been best friends ever since. They have been playing music together in some capacity since 1994, when their parents made the mistake of giving them both electric guitars for Christmas. Around 2002, the two college dropouts found themselves with some time on their hands and silence to kill; and so with an acoustic guitar and a trap set they formed TWO GALLANTS in the basement of the Vogel residence. In an ongoing unspoken competition to out do one another, the intervening years have seen the two-piece increase their volume and gear ten-fold. The bands’ sound is somewhat of a syncretism of American old-timey roots music with the grunge and east bay punk of Tyson and Adam’s formative years. The last show they played together was headlining The Fillmore in their hometown in December 2008. In the two years since, both have released solo material under Devotionals and Adam Haworth Stephens, respectively. But now they are looking forward to getting back to the haranging strident noise that fueled them across the world for 6 years. Come see TWO GALLANTS perform in a town near you this summer and look forward to a new album in the not too distant future.
Two Gallants on Facebook
"This quintet, led by Will Sprott, plays rootsy folk that intertwines sounds from the Balkans and New Orleans-style funk, but the overall vibe is a loose sway that feels very close to home.
Playing shows in basements in San Jose, Sprott eventually found his ideal band. The Balkan-folk influences proceed with the horn instruments and the band's complex rhythms. When asked how the Bay Area has affected his music, Sprott says, "I was born and raised here, so it's pretty entwined with who I am."
The band just wrapped up a West Coast tour with Two Gallants. They play tonight and Friday in Santa Clara and Oakland, and July 16 at the Independent. Then, the Mumlers plan to record a new album. First, though, Sprott answered a few questions from The Chronicle.
Lineup: Will Sprott, vocals, guitar; Andy Paul, drums; Felix Archuleta, baritone horn, keyboard, vibraphone; Müller, tenor saxophone, clarinet, guitar; Ed Masuga, bass.
How did you name your band? What does it mean?
Ouija board. Hopefully it's just a pot to throw ingredients into and we can cook different things in it if we feel like it.
Who are your musical influences?
They abound. Generally I like a lot of old soul music and folk music and '60s rock 'n' roll. Lately some people I like are Billy Childish, Korla Pandit and Mulatu Astatke.
Who are some non-musical influences?
My friends and the things they say, people on BART trains, police officers, books, the Internet, cell phone technology.
How would you describe your music to someone who'd never heard it before?
Band nerds gone wild.
Do you have any pre- or post-show food, indulgence or ritual?
I don't like to eat much before a show, but in San Francisco we often end up at Naan & Curry after a show. Veggie tikka masala and samosas." - Michelle Broder Van Dyke / SF Gate
The Mumlers on Facebook
$12, 18+
Doors @ 9 pm
Advance tickets available @ Ticket Alternative, Criminal Records,
Decatur CD, Fantasyland Records and the following CD Warehouse locations: Buford, Duluth, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville and Roswell.
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ReplyDeleteI'd like to add I'm actually a fan. Two Gallants - amazing live. Excited to see The Mumlers as well!
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda,
ReplyDeletethanks for winning. Please email us at bookingtheunicorn@gmail.com your full name and we will place you on will call for the Two Gallants show.