Old Man Markley

Old Man Markley: Guts N' TeethGuts N' Teeth (2011)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: fatOldCycofatOldCyco
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 4th 2011I have a confession to make: I love the fiddle. Special note here: I especially like it when it's played by a nice-looking lady like Katie Weed. Confession No. 2: I dig the banjo. I know this puts a mark on my hardcore punk card, but I really don't care. The fact that John Rosen makes it scream f.

I have a confession to make: I love the fiddle. Special note here: I especially like it when it's played by a nice-looking lady like Katie Weed.

Confession No. 2: I dig the banjo. I know this puts a mark on my hardcore punk card, but I really don't care. The fact that John Rosen makes it scream for mercy just makes it better.

I first caught Old Man Markley at Punk Rock Bowling 12 in 2010. I was blown away by their stage presence and musicianship, and since then I have been waiting patiently for their first release. When I found out that Fat Mike had signed them, I thought, "Perfect!" My patience paid off with the release of Guts N' Teeth.

OMM bill themselves as "punk bluegrass." Some songs on the record are more bluegrass than punk, but with lyrics like "My winter coat was red (like the color of her dress) / Now I held her one last time (then I laid her down to rest) / Well, I gave her every chance (she should have realized) / That's why they had me locked away (that's why she had to die)." I can see Ricky Skaggs getting his own noose ready. I read somewhere that OMM was "the American Flogging Molly." I would have to agree. Flogging Molly's music has its roots in Irish folk music, and Old Man Markley pushes the same crack, but based on the American tradition of bluegrass.

Guts N' Teeth is a very good record and a fantastic freshman release. The production quality is everything you have come to expect from Fat. The most impressive aspect of this record is the arrangements. When you can make eight musicians, four vocalists and who knows how many actual instruments come out sounding that good...you have done a very good thing.

The first track on the record, "For Better for Worse" is a perfect opener. Fast and melodic, it lets you know right off the bat what to expect. Other standout tracks include "Running Weight", a song about transporting illegal substances. This song brings back some fond memories of the Reverend Horton Heat. I love the melody, and the harmonica rolling through the background is a genius touch.

The title track, "Guts N' Teeth" is one of my favorites on the record. The vocal harmonies work perfectly. One question: Is that Fat Mike I smell in the studio? Ghost producer, maybe?

"Song Songs" is a great song, outlining the types of songs we all listen to while landing in its own category of "songs about songs." It is thoughtful in its accounting of songs while also being thought-provoking as you recall songs that fit exactly to the lyrics: "Songs that you know every word to, so you can sing along"-yep, this one too.

I have a personal playlist called "Looking for Blues in All the Wrong Places." Songs like "Artificial Red" by Mad Season and Jet Boy's "Hometown Blues" fill the list. The OMM song "Lowdown Blues" will fit right in.

Overall, this is a great record. I have listened to it back-to-back several times. A must-have. If you have the chance to catch these guys live, don't miss it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

orgcorepunker (March 19, 2013)

Love this album to death.

brianb2andrews (August 2, 2011)

Saw them open for NOFX in Toronto and play an after show at the Bovine Sex Club, both all the sets were amazing! Such fun pump up music! Highly recommend pickin up the CD. They also went on stage with NOFX for Doornails it was epic!

rafsolo (April 28, 2011)

Got to check them out in Fort Lauderdale when they played the NOFX afterparty show at some bar. Well I met the guys, offered them a place to stay which they agreed to. They ended up calling me at 3 am (I guess wondering where I was). Turns out I had gotten into a pretty bad crash on my way home (I guess that's what OMM's music does to you).

Woke up the next morning to see their missed calls so I texted them to let them know what had happened, to let them know I had almost died the night before and that's why they couldn't stay at my place.

Never got a response..........god damn bastards.......I should probably hate these guys but how can you hate a group of guys and gals that can write such kick ass music

shameless plug time : if you like nonpretentious fat wreck style punk check out www.ilovehitplay.com/video.html

Kymska (February 15, 2011)

I saw the film clip to For Better, For Worse and the video was amazing and I thought the music was alright, but I think it's won me over enough to buy it.

xIxKilledxJesusx (February 8, 2011)

goddammit someone already said that. Next time I should read more than the most recent 3 or 4 comments

xIxKilledxJesusx (February 8, 2011)

also members of Blue Collar Special, Angel City Outcasts, and (i think) The Briggs!

Cos (February 6, 2011)

Johnny and Joey are also current members (or at least part-time members?) of Youth Brigade.

damnitsderek (February 5, 2011)

The fiddle is awesome. Bluegrass as a hybrid with punk is awesome. Old Man Markley are awesome.

In summation, whole lot of awesome here.

froggerwithmylife (February 5, 2011)

Love this band/album. Very excited for them.

IUsedToBeSomeone (February 5, 2011)

MN_DrNick

I think the "punk" part comes more from their roots--Johnny and Joey used to be half of the SF Valley (LA) band Blue Collar Special, while Alex Z. and Ryan (Markley) used to be in Angel City Outcasts. Apologies if I'm leaving anything out about the other members. Glad this record is getting so much love; these are great people who really do put on outstanding live shows.

MN_DrNick (February 5, 2011)

It's way better than I expected it too be. Like, it's really damn good. I think I found some new drinking music as well.

Also: am I missing on how these guys are "punk"?

half_head (February 4, 2011)

solid. the first half of the album rules

theautumnpeople (February 4, 2011)

Paul -

I think Dave King is Irish but yeah, I'd consider them an American band too. They're an "Irish punk band" so aside from a few similar instruments I don't think it's a good comparison.

misterspike (February 4, 2011)

Good record and fun live act. Their after-party show was a blast here in Ft. Laud.

paulrulzdood (February 4, 2011)

"the amrican flogging molly" not to be a douche, but arent' flogging molly from LA? anyhoo i can't get into the whole bluegrass-punk "movement" if you will, but that "for better for worse" song on the new FAT comp is nice. good at what they do, just not into it. cool to see FAT continuing to branch out with who they sign but still are a very selective label.

Paul

slymer (February 4, 2011)

There are a couple standout tracks, the rest are kinda boring. I doubt I'll revisit this album much.

StraightToHell82 (February 4, 2011)

First listen, I thought it was pretty boring, but I was also playing a video game at the same time, so my attention wasn't really focused on the music.

I listened to it again a few days on the way to work, and really appreciated it for what it is. This is a really fun album, and I definitely recommend it.

If I still drank, I think this would get my "Best Drinking Album Of The Year" award.

kelly_d (February 4, 2011)

I just got this is the mail the other day so I've only been able to spin it half a dozen times. It like it, especially, "Do me like you do (?)". I still think its a hellofa odd signing for Fat though. Then again, the alt-country thing is the new thing right?