American Goon

American Goon exists only to Rock n Roll.

The definition of Rock N Roll is a combination of country music and rhythm and blues with the emphasis on heavy beat and simple melody. I think there’s no better example than Blood Eagle, the debut 7″ from Nashville’s American Goon on Fat Elvis Records.

American Goon is a new side-project from Zack Murphy, who normally plays drums in the blues-punk outfit Blackfoot Gypsies. On this project, Murphy is not limiting himself to just percussion as he plays drums, guitar, bass as well as vocals. He utilizes the raw garage sound of The MC5 along with the simple blues flavored swagger of early 1970s The Rolling Stones to deliver two songs that are consistent with the general themes of rock n roll while still being fresh and interesting.

The title track Blood Eagle is a furious collision of southern rock, blues, glam and punk with over-fuzzed guitars, distorted vocals and a beat that sounds as if it’s sole purpose of existence is to be the soundtrack to a grizzly bear vs stripper jello wrestling tournament. Side B’s RoundaBlackout is just as intense with it’s use of distortion and attitude, but focuses more on the groove than fist-clenching riot music. Both tracks will please fans of The White Stripes Brother O' Brother and of course The Blackfoot Gypsies, but the only downside is the fact it’s only two songs and not a full album! To me it doesn’t get any better than good ol’ riff heavy American rock n roll and American Goon captures the essence of that like not many others have.