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Grandpa Jack throws down creepy rock with style

Last updated on August 9, 2022

Those who love gritty rock and roll, thank the airwaves for generations of musicians that grew up on old classic southern rock, and look for that “Aerosmith meets Alice in Chains” grind can count on bands like Grandpa Jack. The Brooklyn rockers land with Grits to throw down in style.

The power trio of Matt C. White, Jared Schapkerf, and John Strom deliver a nine-track, self-produced trip with the help of Stephen Mason & Kyle McEvoy (recording), Matt Labozza (mixing/engineering), and Brad Boatright (mastering). The result is a cohesive mind trip reminiscent of early Roger Waters. White leads the way, but the vibe is only achieved with these three musicians joining forces into one distinct sonic feel.

Opener “Once Bitten” tosses rockers off into a carefully crafted, downbeat-driven world. Heavy, deliberate, drawn-out production generates a drift and drive. Standout “Hate the Heartbeat” has echoes of Richie Blackmore, as emotion seethes out of each vocal. White’s voice is perfectly balanced with the guitar and stripped instrumentation. 

Personally, I listen to albums. Grits is for me and other album lovers, because the artistry of “Moths” would be lost to someone just jumping in on that song as a standalone piece of music. Though brilliant, it is the connective tissue that audiences need to get to “Evil Eye.” Its lyricism drops into the instrumental stunner “Mosquitos,” subtle and biting. 

“Consumption Crawl” seems a decadent, drifting bit of genius that embraces an essence of haunting backwoods darkness. Clueing in their audience with the fact that “Consumption II Parasite” creeps the theme on, the plodding production quality lends itself to a sonic palette of haunting grit and analog beauty. They sharply drop into the album’s ending with “Consumption II Cannibal” reminiscent of the greatest moments of Dave Peverett’s (Foghat) guitar style. 

Closing out an album like this requires an artistry not many rockers possess. “Consumption Crawl Reprise” is an homage to the true musicality of this nine-song release. Nuanced, pulsing, it breathes as it slowly eases to its final beat. Grandpa Jack ‘s Grits creeps out into the summer, as some of the best music so far this year.–Lisa Whealy