THE TRACY G GROUP – Tramp (2017)
Former Dio guitarist Tracy G is back in action with his band THE TRACY G GROUP who are releasing their album “Tramp” today, October 13. Joining Tracy on the disc are drummers Ray Luzier (KXM , David Lee Roth) and Patrick Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen, W.A.S.P.) as well as vocalist Michael Beatty and bassist Randy Oviedo.
Tracy G has played in a variety of bands including one unsigned act with future singer of Great White, Jack Russell. He also put together the bands Love/Hate with singer Jizzy Pearl, and Swift Kick. He also played with drummer Audie Desbrow (Great White) in Riff Raff, a very popular band around southern California in the early days of ’80s US hard rock and metal.
Tracy then joined Dio. In his six years with the band, Tracy G was featured on two studio albums, (Strange Highways and Angry Machines), and one live (Inferno: Last in Live).
Having grown up in the ’80s rock & metal era, it often feels like my music catalog has filled to capacity and it is sometimes hard to accept “new” music. The idea of listening something new can be sometimes daunting. If a song doesn’t grab you in the first minute, it can be hard to listen to.
This was not the case when I pressed play to the latest album from The Tracy G Group, “Tramp”. Each song, grabs you in the first few seconds.
In fact, Tracy G does not reinvent the wheel here, but has a unique heavy rock music approach when it comes to not only his guitar playing, but his willingness to go beyond and take his musical vision to places few dare to tread.
The album cover makes you think about a glam outfit, however this is swirling hard rock / metal, but not served in the regular way. There’s crazy tuned guitars yet in the sense to create groove.
There’s a BIG groove in this album. Then atmospheres, fat bass lines, some smashing drumming.
Listening to the album you’ll result pretty much blown away. I ask myself, how is Tracy G this good? Sounding better than ever? This creative? All the tracks make sense, sound refreshingly different and go in directions that, musically, no one else seems to think about or try.
The sledgehammer ‘The Revolution’ sets things off powered by Michael Beatty’s vocals delivery and Tracy G.’s crushing riffs. From there your senses are hit with a barrage of both instrumental and lyrical intensity.
The highlights are many. ‘Leech’ is a monsta-groove with some Zakk Wylde on it. The groove laden ‘Brokenness’ is some kind of Ozzy in its darkness, then ‘Bleed’ brings to mind Dio, but twisted.
‘Bleed’ has an atmospheric heavy middle part in the vein of modern day Skid Row, while ‘Fireball’ adds a bluesy background for its heavy punch.
There’s some instrumental tracks as well highlighting the tight chemistry between each musician. Patrick Johansson does a great job hitting the skins featured on seven of the hard hitting tracks with some really stupendous beats. Also featured on this album is ex Korn, David Lee Roth and current KXM drummer Ray Luzier, who plays on four tracks and a local Southern California drummer Adrian Aguilar on one song.
“Tramp” is a powerhouse album loaded full of kick-ass songs that cannot be all consumed in just one sitting. If you want to experience in your face but elaborated US metal / hard rock with uncommon twists you need to check this beast of an album.
It conjures the classic ’80s stuff with a modern approach, both in terms of sound and production. It’s heavy, groovy, driving and different. Oh, and good.
Strongly Recommended
01 – The Revolution
02 – The Erector
03 – Leech
04 – Brokenness
05 – Arrogant Prick
06 – The California Country Jamboree
07 – Bleed
08 – Evil Is Good
09 – Fireball
10 – P.C.H.
11 – Sea Of Pain
12 – Liar
13 – Me Myself And The Rain
Tracy G – Guitars
Randy Oviedo – Bass
Michael Beatty – Vocals
Ray Luzier (Korn, KXM, D.L. Roth) – Drums
Patrick Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen, W.A.S.P.) – Drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Tramp-Tracy-G-Group/dp/B073ZWK38Z
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