GorilLA Blood

Gorilla Blood is a band that transcends what one would expect from a 2-piece acoustic act.  By mixing in their own brand of art, creativity, technical know-how, and musicality, they're engaging from the first second you meet them and they have this knack to keep you engaged for their full live performance.  And although they have a lot going on, what impresses you the most is they still have this way of connecting with the audience, allowing for a full spectrum of emotions.

Started in 2010 from a real feeling of discontent with the way things were, Russ Thomas and Steve Ellsworth's musical fornication was almost predetermined.  Soon after the merger they released a short, all recorded live EP - Old School American which gained them the notoriety they needed to pursue their main focus, a full length album.  Soon after the EP release, they secured some extended studio time to really explore the facets of their creativity. The product, "gorilLA blood" was released with 10 tracks in 2011.  With the very first track on the album "Bone Pile," you hear intense power, catchy music, and devilishly soulful lyrics from little more than a banjo, layered vocals and percussion.  They build on that power with the edgy "Living a Lie" that features a full four-piece band set-up.  Right off the bat, you're greeted with distorted guitars and layered vocals that create a sound both heaven and hell could be proud of.  That gives way to their single, "Ruins of Los Angeles," which is by far their catchiest song.  It features really poignant lyrics about living in LA when you're a genuine person just trying to do your thing to the fullest.  It's one of those songs that you can play over and over and not get tired of.  And just when you think it couldn't get any better,  they finish the album off with the track "Joy to Live Through a Show".  A song that really features the imagination and creativity of this band.  Multiple highs and lows both lyrically and musically throughout the song really paint a picture of hopefulness through the worst of times, because, after all, like the song explains, life should be a joy when you're doing what you love.  The album takes you on a mystical journey through the lives of two hardworking musicians trying to find their way.

Now... one would think that's all this band has to offer but they also spend the small free time between jobs, rehearsals, and gigs with filming music and viral videos that intelligently contain real life adaptations and campy humor. The videos featured on YouTube captivate any fan and assuredly will build them a future with the film medium.
Overall this band has the enthusiasm of a little kid and true-grit of a old western cowboy that give them the makings to be one of the greats.