I wanted to kick off Saturday with a bang…you get no more bang than Monkey With A Gun. I love discovering songs like this. It’s catchy, full of energy, and sounds just as good today as it did when it was released. If you’re looking for polished pop, this probably isn’t your band. But if you enjoy guitar-driven rock played by musicians who clearly love what they’re doing, give The Yayhoos a listen. I have a feeling you’ll be happy before the song is over. It’s plainly a dirty little rock and roll song. Dirty as in sound…as in Monkey with a gun. It sounds like it escaped off of Exile on Main Street…and it escaped right to my playlist.
The Yayhoos were formed in the late 1990s as something of a roots-rock supergroup. The lineup featured Dan Baird, formerly of The Georgia Satellites, Warner E. Hodges from Jason & The Scorchers, bassist Keith Christopher (The Georgia Satellites), and drummer Terry Anderson (drummer and songwriter). The song’s vocals were by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel. Ambel wrote the song as well, and he’s the Del-Lords guitarist who also played with Steve Earle. All four had impressive musical backgrounds, and instead of tailoring songs for commercial success, they got together to play the kind of honest, guitar-driven rock they loved. The result was a band that blended rock, country, Southern influences, and plenty of attitude.
One thing I enjoy about digging into roots rock and Americana is finding bands that don’t sound like anyone else. That happened the first time I heard The Yayhoos. I wasn’t sitting there trying to figure out who they reminded me of because I really couldn’t. They simply sounded like a group of good musicians having a great time making rock and roll. Then I heard this…I was hooked on the song and title.
This one grabbed me right away. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t waste any time. The guitars come out swinging, the rhythm section keeps everything moving, and before long you’re tapping your foot without even realizing it. The chorus is catchy, the playing is first-rate, and the whole thing has an energy that reminds me why I still enjoy straightforward rock and roll. There are no gimmicks here. Just four experienced musicians doing what they do best. This song is about Hank Williams Jr.
What I also like is how natural the band sounds. Nobody is trying to steal the spotlight. Every member has enough experience to know when to step forward and when to support the song. That’s one advantage of putting together musicians who have already spent years on the road. They understand that great bands are built on chemistry… not ego.
The Yayhoos also did a cover of Dancing Queen (yes that one!) and I LOVE it.
Monkey With a Gun
Sorry…I could not find any. But hey…it’s a song called Monkey with a Gun…just hum along!
