Riverboat Gamblers Live Underneath The Owl

You got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them...oh wait...I'm sorry, you mean I was on about the wrong gambler? Oh, I'm supposed to be reviewing the Riverboat Gamblers. Those guys are crazy. If you ever wanted to see what the very definition of rock and roll was just find these guys somewhere at a bar or in the back of their van and there they will be, barely alive, but living the rock and roll life to it's fullest. It's kind of amazing that they've survived long enough to release four albums but they have and their fourth Underneath the Owl has just escaped from the asylum.

Fueled by alcohol, duct tape, broken strings and enough energy that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has to approve their tours, The Riverboat Gamblers are the best combination of dirty rock and roll and anthemic punk rock you'll ever hear. In fact, Underneath the Owlwill only serve to further the legendary status and lifestyle of The Riverboat Gamblers as they bash you over the head with a heavy dose of melodicism served with a chaser of angst. It's truly amazing how a band so fueled by chaos can somehow manage to write songs that are so remarkably unforgettable but they do.

"Alexandria," is a perfect illustration of how these guys sound as if they're running on rocket fuel and are about to explode into a thousand pieces but somehow manage to piece it all back together with a chorus that will linger for eons. When they scream, "Alexandria," at the top of their lungs you can't help but pay attention and scream along. It's a rush of adrenaline that's hard to let go of and Underneath the Owl makes sure you don't because the record is loaded with songs just like this.

Underneath the Owlis a fantastic record that's powerful, energetic and dangerous. Riverboat Gamblers deal in the unknown and they manage the world around them by reigning in the pandemonium with killer songs packed with rifftastic guitar playing, gargantuan hooks, and a sense that the world is going to end so they might as well live it up while they still have time. While it might be a miracle that the Riverboat Gamblers are still actually with us after four albums, it's no miracle of just how good Underneath the Owl actually is.

You can see for yourself when the blast their way into Jacksonville on April 11th.  They'll craw out of their van and on to the stage as they take to the St. Johns River in an actual Riverboat!! See their website for details.