GA-20 clearly is on to something big. It’s a movement, a new traditional blues revival. The dynamic, throwback blues trio are disciples of the place where traditional blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll intersect. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says guitarist Matt Stubbs. “It’s our take on the song-based traditional electric blues we love.” Stubbs, guitarist/vocalist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman have been at the forefront of this traditional blues revival since they first formed in 2018. It’s no wonder they skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Blues Chart for their last three consecutive releases.
According to Stubbs, “Since we started the band we’ve focused on the story, the melody, and on creating a mood. Playing live as much as we do, we’re finding more and more that people are discovering how cool it all is. Traditional country, soul and funk music have all had these massive recent revivals, but traditional blues so far has not.” With their new Colemine album, Crackdown, and an intensive tour schedule, that’s all about to change.
On Crackdown, GA-20’s third full-length release, the band creates an unvarnished, ramshackle blues that is at once traditional and refreshingly modern. Expanding on their previous releases (2019’s Lonely Soul and 2021’s Try It…You Might Like It! GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor) GA-20 finds inspiration on the edges of the genre, where early electric blues first converged with country and rock ‘n’ roll. The album’s nine original songs include the loping, Louisiana-flavored “Dry Run,” the dirty, and bare-bones “Easy On The Eyes” and the melodic, garage-tinged “Fairweather Friend.” With tight, propulsive performances and a brevity and punk energy reminiscent of The Ramones, Crackdown is rowdy and fun, filled with instantly memorable, and well-crafted songs.
GA-20’s Crackdown is out now on vinyl, CD and digital/streaming platforms via Karma Chief Records. Click here to order.
GA-20 2023 WINTER TOUR DATES
* with Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
JAN 6 FRI Bayou Theater – Houston, TX *
JAN 7 SAT Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall – Fort Worth, TX *
JAN 8 SUN Antone’s – Austin, TX *
JAN 10 TUE Panorama Music House – Lake Charles, LA *
JAN 12 THU Grants Lounge – Macon, GA *
JAN 13 FRI Terminal West – Atlanta, GA *
JAN 14 SAT The Basement – Nashville, TN
JAN 15 SUN Headliners Music Hall. Louisville, KY
JAN 17 TUE The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
JAN 18 WED The Pour House Music Hall – Raleigh, NC
JAN 19 THU The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC (with LadyCouch)
JAN 21 SAT Railgarten – Memphis, TN
JAN 25 WED Dog Rose Brewing Company – St. Augustine, FL
JAN 26 THU Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL
JAN 27 FRI The Angeles – Fort Lauderdale, FL
JAN 28 SAT Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 2023 – Fort Lauderdale, FL
FEB 7 TUE Charleston Pour House, Charleston, SC
FEB 8 WED Hendershots Coffee – Athens, GA
FEB 9 THU Lyric Theatre – Blacksburg, VA
FEB 10 FRI Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH
FEB 11 SAT Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience 2023 – Mason, OH
FEB 18 THU Starlite – Southbridge, MA
FEB 23 THU Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club – Portsmouth, NH
FEB 24 FRI Brooklyn Made – Brooklyn, NY (w/ Kendra Morris)
MAR 4 SAT Mid Winter Blues Festival 2023 – Regina, SK, Canada
MAR 11 SAT Crossroads Music Series – North Andover, MA
MAR 12 SUN The Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT (opening for Mavis Staples)
