Gogol Bordello has the highest profile in gypsy-punk circles, but Eugene Hutz’s band isn’t the only entrant. There’s also Guignol & Mischief Brew.

It’s a collaboration between the bands Guignol and Mischief Brew. The former is led by Peter Hess of Balkan Beat Box and Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady, who also keeps busy with World/Inferno Friendship Society and released a solo album earlier this year; and features members of Hem and Anthony and the Johnsons. The latter, the musical project of Erik Petersen, has been described as “a musical feast falling somewhere between the categories of pirate punk, Celtic folk, gypsy swing, devilish jazz, American old-time and country.”

Together, they holed up in Vibromonk Studios in Brooklyn to record “Fight Dirty,” a riotous blend of sounds on 16 songs due on CD and clear vinyl in November. Seven of the tunes are Mischief Brew jams with Guignol as the backing band, six are Guignol tunes with Petersen on guitar. And there are two covers: a Django Reinhardt tune and a version of Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed by Thy Name.”

Here are two of the songs: the tuba- and accordion-powered title track, and the playful and exotic instrumental “Branks.”

LISTEN
Fight Dirty mp3
Branks mp3

September 29, 2009 at 9:00 am | Share |