Grand Old Grizzly

Goode’s Armadillo Palace presents Grand Old Grizzly on October 29, 2016.

Grand Old Grizzly is Will Thomas (vocals/guitar), Paul Beebe (guitar/vox), Mark Riddell (bass/vox), and Chris Lewis (drums).

The Houston-based quartet melds folk, country, indie, and rock, garnering favorable comparisons to Old 97s, Tom Petty, Uncle Tupelo, Neil Young, and Robert Earl Keen.

In its brief time together, the group has generated an impressive local buzz. Grand Old Grizzly has been embraced by respected radio station 90.1 KPFT. Houston Press says “GOG might become your favorite new local band if you have a hankerin’ for Tom Petty and the Old 97’s.” The highly regarded paper recently nominated GOG for “Best New Act” and “Best Folk/Americana” awards. Both Leon Russell and Blackberry Smoke had Grand Old Grizzly playing support when they stopped through Houston and played some sold out nights at the House of Blues.

Grand Old Grizzly offers up compelling and literate storyteller lyrics with alt-country flavored compositions. The shitkickin’ hooky “Tallahassee” is a moving vignette about heartbreak on the road. “Sundowners” features high lonesome vocal harmonies, quicksilver country guitar filigree, mesmerizing lap steel, and an engaging snapshot lyric approach.

“That song is about when I used to live in New York City and go to this Irish bar on my block. Everyone was friends, but there was one couple that never said hi to anyone and was always bickering. ‘Sundowners’ is how I picture their relationship,” he says. Here Will’s vocals are plaintive with a congenial twang and his words are achingly beautiful. Other highlights are the breezy banjo-driven “Marvelistic Coward Band,” a playful poke at every band’s self mythologizing,” and the dreamy “Lament.”

Grand Old Grizzly is quickly building a sizeable live following through its blend of fine musicianship and timeless songcraft. The band has gigged extensively around Houston, and has played shows throughout Texas.

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/grandoldgrizzly