Galloping Dick are a relatively new band on the scene, but they have impressed me greatly on each of the occasions that I have been fortunate enough to see them play. They are not especially young and they hail from Yorkshire, but they have a fresh sound whilst fitting soundly into the psychobilly genre. This is the band’s second release and comes out on Western Star records as a 10”. It is entitled ‘The Wild Sons of Gentlemen’ and it is one that I endorse very warmly.

‘13 Traumas’ has a very cool intro with bass and drums, then the sound of the Gretsch and finally the vocals join the fray and all are very good. There is a hint of Matt Hole to the vocal, the guitar is superb and this is a terrific opening track.

‘Pemberton Hacienda’ begins with a very nice bass run. Then we are taken on a very interesting psychobilly journey that alternates between punky chords and wonderful lead guitar playing. It’s excellent.

‘Percussive Jazz’ is actually more bluesy than jazzy, but it is very groovy and is great.

‘James Tree’begins with a bit of feedback, but then we are quickly into a nicely syncopated section with really compelling vocals and a very catchy riff. It sounds a little bit like Space Heater era Rev. Horton Heat.

‘Don’t Go’ is another groovy number with excellent slapping. The song comes to a close, inexplicably with Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’, but then the song resumes until it plays out.

‘Terror of the Road’ begins with wonderful slapping and drums before the song takes off with tremendous psychobilly energy and superb breakdown sections and a half-time section with the line ‘they call me Galloping Dick, and I quite like it’ before the song crescendos delightfully.

This really is something of a masterpiece – exceptional playing, terrific song-writing and a wonderful sense of fun. This lot are the real deal.

Nick Kemp

Pre-order your copy on coloured vinyl from Western Star Records