L.A. Beat

Just when you think all is lost in the music world, you discover a band like Grady and wonder why they aren’t at the top of the charts, then you think all is lost again because they aren’t.
Their new live CD/DVD set , “Calling All My Demons,” recorded last October at the Pyramid in Winnipeg, starts off with a muscular, amped up and detuned version of Big Sugar’s “Ride Like Hell” and doesn’t let up from there.

 It is a really crisp, clear live recording. And more importantly, it just about perfectly captures the band in their natural element — on stage, tearing the roof off a crowded bar.

 The Austin based power trio, including Gordie Johnson, best known as  Big Sugar’s frontman/ lead guitarist, properly conveys the intensity and balls to the walls volume of their live show on their new live CD/DVD set.

It is tough to choose favourites from the CD, though “If I Was King” and “I’m a Sinner Too,” stand out. And “Ride Like Hell” and “Whatchewdid,”  throw you right into a fast paced, intense and enjoyable ride that doesn’t let up. “Woman  Got My Devil” is another, scary, intense, frenetic highlight, mid-way through the set.

I became an instantly huge Govt. Mule fan, coincidentally after hearing their live CD/DVD set “Deepest End Volume 2” and felt the same way after hearing “ “Calling All My Demons.”

 In fact there is a lot of similarities to the almighty Mule, not to mention Big Sugar.
 Grady sounds like Big Sugar on steroids with a  touch of Govt. Mule and an inkling of Sonny Landreth’s slide guitar.
 Grady is a power trio like the original Govt. Mule, with a deadly blues influence and a killer bass player, except Grady is predominately  amped up slide powered blues rock. But they both sing with a lot of soul.

 Johnson’s voice is especially impressive, almost more impressive than his guitar playing, as he sings along with a lot of his guitar licks.
 Drummer Nina Singh sings capable backup vocals through a set which included a lot of their last CD “Good As Dead,” including the title track as well as a few songs from their previous CDs and  Big Sugar’s “Hammer in My Hand.”

 The last track “Chili Cold Blood,” an intense detuned slide workout, explains why the band has been dubbed “Cowboy Metal.”

 They don’t take any breaks between songs, so the CD flows seamlessly like their live show.
 The DVD is equally impressive, though a track listing in the liner notes would be a welcome addition as the DVD includes a lot more songs than on the CD. The video is well done, and for a live DVD, the sound quality is pretty impressive.
If you, like me, hadn’t heard of Grady before their Nov. 23 Lethbridge show, then “Calling All Your Demons” provides an exceptional overview of what the band is all about.