Blackfoot Gypsies

This 7” is the first from Knoxville based Fat Elvis Records. Available in translucent blue or red, this release is a treat for fans of lo-fi, independent rock and roll. Blackfoot Gypsies already have a dedicated following in Nashville and around the southeast. With this 7” the duo will certainly continue to gain popularity and recognition.

The recordings of these two tracks capture the energy that the band takes to the stage. Strong grooving rhythms, overdriven slide guitar and distorted vocals have become the band’s signature sound. Whether hearing them on record or live the band always sounds like they are having a good time. They are all about energy and excitement and looking like future rock and roll icons does not hurt either.

The two tracks, Don’t Want to See Your Face and Wasting Time are the sounds of the band staying true to their roots. The overall warm sound and raucous energy of these tracks are enough to put a smile on your face. The future is looking bright for Blackfoot Gypsies because they do whatever they want, which thankfully includes rocking the house down.

Check out the video for Don’t Want to See Your Face: - Soundstamp Blog

Last time we saw local duo Blackfoot Gypsies, 50 percent of them were being arrested for vandalism and resisting arrest on Lower Broad — it was a kerfuffle that subsequently shed a little light on what some claim is an ongoing downtown problem. Anyway, the Gypsies don't just get arrested; they do indeed actually make music. Above you can see their brand-new video for "Don't Want to See Your Face," which was directed by sometime Cream/Scene contributor Seth Graves. Gimmick alert! (Or innovation alert, I suppose, depending on your point of view.) The video was shot entirely on Instagram.

The song itself is a characteristically up-tempo and blown-out blues-rock scorcher that isn't entirely unlike, say, the output of other white-boy blues duos, crossed with a little bit of that swampy roots rock. I dunno, call it Flat White Creedence Key Bombs. "Don't Want to See Your Face" is the B-side of Blackfoot Gypsies' The New Sounds of TransWestern 7-inch single, which you can purchase via Soundstamp Music. - Nashville Scene

Last time we saw local duo Blackfoot Gypsies, 50 percent of them were being arrested for vandalism and resisting arrest on Lower Broad — it was a kerfuffle that subsequently shed a little light on what some claim is an ongoing downtown problem. Anyway, the Gypsies don't just get arrested; they do indeed actually make music. Above you can see their brand-new video for "Don't Want to See Your Face," which was directed by sometime Cream/Scene contributor Seth Graves. Gimmick alert! (Or innovation alert, I suppose, depending on your point of view.) The video was shot entirely on Instagram.

The song itself is a characteristically up-tempo and blown-out blues-rock scorcher that isn't entirely unlike, say, the output of other white-boy blues duos, crossed with a little bit of that swampy roots rock. I dunno, call it Flat White Creedence Key Bombs. "Don't Want to See Your Face" is the B-side of Blackfoot Gypsies' The New Sounds of TransWestern 7-inch single, which you can purchase via Soundstamp Music. - Nashville Scene

The Nashville western-rock duo Blackfoot Gypsies have just released the music video for the song “Don’t Want To See Your Face” from their recent 7?, The New Sounds of TransWestern. The music video consists of a montage of the band and friends exploring the attractions of downtown Nashville, as well as performing the song.

The song itself is a jammin’ tune, with eccentric lead vocals by frontman Matthew Paige and hard-hitting drums by Zach Murphy. The 7' can be purchased through their record label’s website, Fat Elvis Records.

Also, be sure to check out their upcoming Nashville show, August 27th at 12th & Porter with The Lost Maples and Kansas Bible Company. - Break On A Cloud

The Nashville western-rock duo Blackfoot Gypsies have just released the music video for the song “Don’t Want To See Your Face” from their recent 7?, The New Sounds of TransWestern. The music video consists of a montage of the band and friends exploring the attractions of downtown Nashville, as well as performing the song.

The song itself is a jammin’ tune, with eccentric lead vocals by frontman Matthew Paige and hard-hitting drums by Zach Murphy. The 7' can be purchased through their record label’s website, Fat Elvis Records.

Also, be sure to check out their upcoming Nashville show, August 27th at 12th & Porter with The Lost Maples and Kansas Bible Company. - Break On A Cloud

Blackfoot Gypsies

Article by : Lily Hansen

Photography by : Brooke Lott



If there’s one thing the Blackfoot Gypsies and I bond over it’s the shameless laundry list of jobs we’ve acquired. To bring their artistic dreams into fruition the band ticks off the mandatory manual labor, waiting tables and… counting cars? “We got up at five this morning and drove an hour away to count cars for my dad’s company. All I kept thinking was, will someone please email me to make the hours go by faster?” moans drummer Zack and the band’s resident ham.

Suggesting a 9PM meeting on a chilly Wednesday night, we meet at Donk’s where Brooke and I part our way through a sea of booty shorts and Long Island drinking hip hop heads. Perched at a table adjacent to the DJ booth are Matthew Paige and Zack Murphy, decked out in shredded tees, polka dot neckties and feather-topped derby hats. Naively attracting the attention of nearly everyone in the room (a paparazzi worthy photo shoot later ensues with nearby patrons asking to pose with the hipstamatic musicians) the Blackfoot Gypsies are every bit as outlandish as they appear on stage: fatally funny musicians who often complete one another’s sarcastic train of thoughts. Securing a round of Budweisers, Paige suggests swapping clothes as an interview icebreaker offering up his Hendrix-y, paisley print blazer for my cozy, “LL Bean” cardigan. Entirely bypassing the initial Q&A awkwardness, we quickly scrap the formality for a night of debauchery and dive bar hopping that results in my morning-after hangover and laughter-induced hernia.

Birthed via Craig’s List nearly three years ago Canadian-born Paige and Brentwood baby Murphy came together to complete their aspirations of a two-man musical machine. Representing the 70’s both sonically and aesthetically the pair developed their first dose of swagger worthy, Stones-inspired rock ‘n roll as a background for Paige’s elusive, often metaphorical lyrics. Dictating a life of partying, girl chasing and the unwillingness to renounce their rock star dreams one can expect nothing but honesty from a singer who penned the lyrics, “Why you always crying? All you ever do is whine” (“Gimme Some.”) Charmingly modest and men of many words the pair dances around the standard interview questions of their musical chemistry and decision to remain a two-piece blues-infused machine coyly explaining, “Easier to improvise live, less people to deal with and you only have to split your gig money down the middle.”) Cool as cucumbers until I pose the question of why anyone should give a shit about their band Zack exclaims, “Because we care damnit! We are driving five hours tomorrow to a show in Ashville with no guarantee just to not piss off a venue promoter. Not to sound cheesy but we put everything we have into it.”
“I don’t really give a fuck if anyone cares,” retorts Matthew.

Capping off the night at Fran’s purchasing $2 beers out of a refrigerator, Zack and I booty dance to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” while Matthew requests George Jones on the jukebox, eerily the evening before the legendary country singer takes his last gasp. Ragging on the oftentimes too-cool-for-school East Nashville music scene the pair looks entirely at home in a bar where buckets of Bud are cheap, chain smoking de rigueur, and pool sharks attempt to swindle us left and right. Teetering the fine line between crass and crude (a spontaneous laundry mat photo op inspires the pair to insinuate fellatio on one another) and undeniably charismatic there is little guessing room as to who the Blackfoot Gypsies are. With no time to put on airs these guys are diligent about making damn good music.





What artist would you give your left nut to play with?

Zack: Well I lost my left nut in a freak hula hooping accident but I reckon I’d give my right nut to play with…ummmmmm…Tom Waits. There are many others too but he immediately comes to mind.

Matthew: Willie Nelson, he could have both of my nuts.



What is your all-time favorite album/song not mentioned by every other musician?

Zack: Exile on Main Street and Electric Warrior by T Rex.

Matthew: Private Property by Johnnie and Jack. It’s about shooting people who mess with your lady. I dig that.



Favorite city to play music in?

Matthew: Tulsa or Lexington, Kentucky

Favorite Nashville music venue?

Zack: Exit/In or a good house party



Artist that you would most easily compare yourselves to?

Matthew: We’re like a country version of Eagles of Death Metal.



Exciting summer plans?

Zack: Gypsy Camp tour in July will be sooooo rad. We’re going out on tour with our friends The Jag and the Gills and will be camping the whole time. It’s gonna get weird but it’ll be so much fun. Hopefully it’ll bring Nashville rock ‘n roll to the rest of America in a righteous way.

Matthew: Gypsy Camp Tour may be a huge game changer for all of us. It could also be a train wreck. Either way, I’m - The B-Side Blog

Matthew Paige PAINTS with all the muthaf**ckn’ colors of the wind.

Blackfoot Gypsies?! HELL, you must mean the Cherokee Cowboys or the Drifting Cowboys! It’s Cherokee we know all about here–Willie Nelson, Loretta, Cash, Ray Price, Elvis, Sequoyah, and our beloved East Tennessee neighbors. If you haven’t been to the TN State Pow-Wow or the Qualla Arts Festival–I personally recommend you getcher donk in a woody wagon, grab an RC Cola/Moon-Pie and take a good ol’ road trip. Resist all stereo-type junk. Find yourself an AUTHENTIC dreamcatcher in Cherokee, NC. I have two going on a million. Sadly you can’t visit Chief Henry because he passed away in 2007. I have a picture of an itty bitty me kissing him on the cheek while petting his head dress. He smelled of tobacco and leather. Sniff.

Billy Ray Cyrus. Well, he says he has Cherokee roots, but I have a feeling it was a shitty attempt to justify his hair obsession…

The “Great Spirit” has blessed Nashville once again, brothers and sisters. Fine music packaged in retro-sexy feathers, hair, hats, animal skins, beads, and fringe. Matthew Paige and Zack Murphy are the medicine men that form the duo, Blackfoot Gypsies, a rockin’ roving country/garage/Americana sensation from Nashville. They generate a tribe of fans (who love classic southern rock, blues, 60s-70s guitar gods, bluegrass, and Americana) everywhere their big sweet gypsy hearts take them. They are charming performers who cast a wickedly good musical spell if you’ll just venture to their latest tepee location.
During performances, expect Matthew’s glasses to slip down his sweaty nose and Zack’s purdy hair to end up tangled like a rat’s nest. Aw shiit.

Don’t let their extroverted looks fool you into thinking they are savage Woodstock posers. BFG certainly isn’t just another band of organized sound with bitchin’ outfits. While delightfully aggressive, these two guys bond into an organic, yet sophisticated angle. Matthew and Zack are true music aficionados who take influences of their favorite artists, people, and places to construct songs that make you want to both ponder their relatable lyrics and shake your ass until your cheeks are numb. As for “Blackfoot”…like their Plains dwelling namesake, they constantly travel in order to satisfy their free-spirit–using the natural resources of a given environment to feed their creative hunger. Performances and recordings are audible postcards decorated with imaginary buffalo stamps. God Bless The Pony Express.
They have performed at East Nashville Underground and many local venues ranging from Mercy Lounge to Stone Fox. My favorite experience seeing BFG was at Cause A Scene Music, where they joined forces with Alanna Royale and The Black Cadillacs. This concert was so fired up that even after the BFG set, Matthew spontaneously launched himself into The Black Cadillacs while they were playing to grab a stick and beat the drum along with them. Damn, I wonder if he was acting instinctively…can you say ‘drum circle’?!

Their latest album, “On the Loose” (2012) will introduce you to an even deeper dimension of their artistry. These gentlemen are rebels with top-notch musical discipline. As the needle skates the vinyl, you are going to hear serious texture and versatility. Matthew is the master of string instruments, harmonica, and vocals, etc. Zack is the rhythm monster. There is a lot of Nashville spice in their sauce.
Talk about rubbin’ a hole through the bottom of a pair of Minnetonkas. Rock and roll, sure. There are influences of hillbilly, blues, and folk. As far as tribal music, I’d say a few of the selections are like peyote songs. Think melodic contour shaped by rattling. The use of isorhythm with nasal sound in “Stay Away from Me” reminds me of the non-lexical vocables utilized by the actual Blackfoot, Apache, and even Scottish peoples. Very pan-tribal of you, boys. Doesn’t surprise me one bit there is only the two of you’s. Sangin and Drummin…most important factors in Native American music.
INVEST!

It’s one of the best albums of 2012. They’ll shoot you right through the heart with a feather adorned-flint headed arrow at first twang. Costs the same as two craft beers and you won’t just drink and piss it away in a few hours, you’ll have it forever. Buy here. At the end of the month, I hear they have more fun stuff coming…Hint: It’s gonna be a colorful seven inches…..
Your next opportunity to see them is TONIGHT at the 5-Spot when they perform with TWO of my favorite bands, The Static Trees and Zach Ryan and the Renegades. You can also reach them at Muddy Roots Festival this weekend.
After you leave a show, you might be a little depressed, but not to worry Jon Vaughn—A Thousand Pounds of Nashville Hair—keeps a Facebook page of their antics at Blackfoot Gypsies Funhouse to keep you connected.

Now, come join the pow-wow. All you have to do is follow the smoke signal.

Special Thanks to JON VAUGHN for the photos and to my dear friends, Matt - No Country for New Nashville

“Here is a Ripple Effect News Flash. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this important announcement. People of Nashville, as of right now you are ordered to stay inside your homes or workplace. This is a mandatory curfew being put into effect for your safety until further notice. We take you now to Penfold, our senior man in the field who is reporting live directly from City Hall. Penfold, can you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes, I can hear you Benedict. Good evening.”
“Penfold, do you have any details about why this curfew is being enforced?”
“Absolutely Ben! While I have not spoken directly with anyone in law enforcement or city management, I can tell you that I spotted a crumpled up notice beside a trashcan inside city hall just moments ago. When I flattened out the very official looking document a disturbing message became legible. The Blackfoot Gypsies are on the loose!”
“The Blackfoot Gypsies? Who are they Penfold?”
“That’s the scary part Ben. I don’t know and the paper didn’t specify. Because I am such a responsible reporter I’m going to take this opportunity to provide our viewers with the most frightening scenario that I can imagine.”
“Sounds to me like the right thing to do Penfold. Proceed.”
“Thanks Benny, you scaremonger you. Well, here goes nothing. The Blackfoot Gypsies must be the Axis of Evil’s equivalent to Delta Force. This highly trained, idealistic fighting unit must have parachuted into the outskirts of Nashville last night under the cover of darkness. Conditions were perfect, what with the moon being completely obscured behind thick cloud cover. Due to the amount of high profile targets throughout our fair city, it is impossible to pinpoint where their assault will take place. That said I’m going to go out on a limb here and report…”
“Hold on a minute Penfold.”
“Seriously? What is it Supreme B? I was just getting to the best part.”
“Penfold, we’ve just received an official dispatch from the city explaining the situation.”
“And?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves. The situation is worse than we could have ever imagined.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense Benedict. What’s happened? Have you discovered that the code name for our hockey team’s secret project to genetically re-engineer saber tooth tigers is Blackfoot Gypsies? I told you they would succeed! You said I was crazy but I told you what was happening! The tigers must have escaped. I knew they couldn’t be controlled!”
“Penfold calm down. These test tube tigers of yours do not exist.”
“No? Then tell me what’s happened because I’m at a loss here. What could be worse than falling prey to a ferocious saber tooth tiger?”
“People of Nashville. If you come across two young men carrying a guitar and small drum kit you are advised to immediately plug your ears with whatever you have handy and run screaming in the opposite direction. If you fail to heed this warning and allow yourself to listen to the seductive music these young men perform at the drop of a hat, the city of Nashville cannot be held responsible for what happens next.”
“What happens next Benedict?”
“Fandom Penfold. Instant, indomitable, inconceivable fandom. Penfold? Penfold are you there? Ah, I see. He’s running away as fast as he can. Well that’s understandable. Citizens of Nashville, keep your television tuned to Ripple Effect News. We will update you as information becomes available. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.”

Waveriders, let me come right out and say what I have to say. I love the Blackfoot Gypsies, and I love their album On The Loose. There, I said it. What? You want more from me than a simple declarative statement? You’re honestly going to sit there and tell me that my words mean nothing without some kind of context to back them up? Alright fine. If that’s the way it has to be then I guess I’ll have to oblige.

Blackfoot Gypsies is a two man music making machine from Nashville, TN. Matthew Paige handles guitar and vocal duties, while Zack Murphy skillfully pounds the skins. They first came to my attention thanks to our ReverbNation campaign. Upon listening to their song submission for the first time I knew that I had found something special. The song sounded wonderfully garage-y, dirty, and lo-fi. More importantly, it rocked! Immediately thereafter I followed a link to their bandcamp page and listened to their two EPs, Blackfoot Gypsies and Dandee Cheeseball. What I heard was ear pleasingly great. The band’s sound is a mash up of several different genres; rock and roll, folk, blues, country, and more than a hint of garage rock. Even better, the harder edged Dandee Cheeseball EP is a free download. You can be sure that several friends received a message recommending they get their own copy.

This brings us to Blackfoot Gypsies first full length, On The Loose, which was released in August of 2012. I pre-ordered my copy. Now I hear what you’re saying. Penf - The Ripple Effect

“Here is a Ripple Effect News Flash. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this important announcement. People of Nashville, as of right now you are ordered to stay inside your homes or workplace. This is a mandatory curfew being put into effect for your safety until further notice. We take you now to Penfold, our senior man in the field who is reporting live directly from City Hall. Penfold, can you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes, I can hear you Benedict. Good evening.”
“Penfold, do you have any details about why this curfew is being enforced?”
“Absolutely Ben! While I have not spoken directly with anyone in law enforcement or city management, I can tell you that I spotted a crumpled up notice beside a trashcan inside city hall just moments ago. When I flattened out the very official looking document a disturbing message became legible. The Blackfoot Gypsies are on the loose!”
“The Blackfoot Gypsies? Who are they Penfold?”
“That’s the scary part Ben. I don’t know and the paper didn’t specify. Because I am such a responsible reporter I’m going to take this opportunity to provide our viewers with the most frightening scenario that I can imagine.”
“Sounds to me like the right thing to do Penfold. Proceed.”
“Thanks Benny, you scaremonger you. Well, here goes nothing. The Blackfoot Gypsies must be the Axis of Evil’s equivalent to Delta Force. This highly trained, idealistic fighting unit must have parachuted into the outskirts of Nashville last night under the cover of darkness. Conditions were perfect, what with the moon being completely obscured behind thick cloud cover. Due to the amount of high profile targets throughout our fair city, it is impossible to pinpoint where their assault will take place. That said I’m going to go out on a limb here and report…”
“Hold on a minute Penfold.”
“Seriously? What is it Supreme B? I was just getting to the best part.”
“Penfold, we’ve just received an official dispatch from the city explaining the situation.”
“And?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves. The situation is worse than we could have ever imagined.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense Benedict. What’s happened? Have you discovered that the code name for our hockey team’s secret project to genetically re-engineer saber tooth tigers is Blackfoot Gypsies? I told you they would succeed! You said I was crazy but I told you what was happening! The tigers must have escaped. I knew they couldn’t be controlled!”
“Penfold calm down. These test tube tigers of yours do not exist.”
“No? Then tell me what’s happened because I’m at a loss here. What could be worse than falling prey to a ferocious saber tooth tiger?”
“People of Nashville. If you come across two young men carrying a guitar and small drum kit you are advised to immediately plug your ears with whatever you have handy and run screaming in the opposite direction. If you fail to heed this warning and allow yourself to listen to the seductive music these young men perform at the drop of a hat, the city of Nashville cannot be held responsible for what happens next.”
“What happens next Benedict?”
“Fandom Penfold. Instant, indomitable, inconceivable fandom. Penfold? Penfold are you there? Ah, I see. He’s running away as fast as he can. Well that’s understandable. Citizens of Nashville, keep your television tuned to Ripple Effect News. We will update you as information becomes available. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.”

Waveriders, let me come right out and say what I have to say. I love the Blackfoot Gypsies, and I love their album On The Loose. There, I said it. What? You want more from me than a simple declarative statement? You’re honestly going to sit there and tell me that my words mean nothing without some kind of context to back them up? Alright fine. If that’s the way it has to be then I guess I’ll have to oblige.

Blackfoot Gypsies is a two man music making machine from Nashville, TN. Matthew Paige handles guitar and vocal duties, while Zack Murphy skillfully pounds the skins. They first came to my attention thanks to our ReverbNation campaign. Upon listening to their song submission for the first time I knew that I had found something special. The song sounded wonderfully garage-y, dirty, and lo-fi. More importantly, it rocked! Immediately thereafter I followed a link to their bandcamp page and listened to their two EPs, Blackfoot Gypsies and Dandee Cheeseball. What I heard was ear pleasingly great. The band’s sound is a mash up of several different genres; rock and roll, folk, blues, country, and more than a hint of garage rock. Even better, the harder edged Dandee Cheeseball EP is a free download. You can be sure that several friends received a message recommending they get their own copy.

This brings us to Blackfoot Gypsies first full length, On The Loose, which was released in August of 2012. I pre-ordered my copy. Now I hear what you’re saying. Penf - The Ripple Effect

Whenever a two member rock band comes along they immediately get placed into the same category as the Black Keys and White Stripes, which is not a bad thing, but is not always the case. The Nashville, TN band Blackfoot Gypsies is one of those bands, and while their rawness and fuzz filled blues undertones lean their music in that direction it is the infusion of southern twang and 60’s garage rock that sets them apart. The Gypsies consist of Matthew Paige who handles the vocals & guitar work while manning the drums is Zack Murphy who is responsible for laying down the rhythms. Harnessing the power of a full band the duo is able to deliver tunes that are not only high volume but multi layered.

RELATED TOPICS

Wth a couple of EPs already out there for listeners to whet their appetite with, the Gypsies have now delivered the main course with their debut LP On The Loose (OTL). A thirteen track juggernaut of vicious guitar riffs and pounding rhythms OTL is a shining example of all that is good with music. Their music bounces around between vintage 60’s rock and southern rock and is all held together with the jangly guitar that dominates throughout. Listen to tracks like “1776”, “Honky Tonk Night” or “Gimmie Some” and you can hear the influences of the Kinks and Stones. Crank up “Trigger”, “I’ve Been Down This Road” or “Feel Like Making Love” for your daily dose of southern rock, which may be what they do best. Just when you think you have them pegged they offer up a couple of tracks like “Feel Like Dying” and “Stone Throwin’ Angels” that are full of country twang. Listening to this album never gets old.


The Blackfoot Gypsies - 1776
On The Loose is one of the more enjoyable listens of 2012. With each tune you are treated to raw unadulterated rock & roll and just when you think you have the band figured out they throw you a curve ball. The album is a cornucopia of rhythms and melodies and makes you wonder how two dudes can pull this off. I highly suggest you add this to your playlist, your ears will thank you. - The Examiner

Whenever a two member rock band comes along they immediately get placed into the same category as the Black Keys and White Stripes, which is not a bad thing, but is not always the case. The Nashville, TN band Blackfoot Gypsies is one of those bands, and while their rawness and fuzz filled blues undertones lean their music in that direction it is the infusion of southern twang and 60’s garage rock that sets them apart. The Gypsies consist of Matthew Paige who handles the vocals & guitar work while manning the drums is Zack Murphy who is responsible for laying down the rhythms. Harnessing the power of a full band the duo is able to deliver tunes that are not only high volume but multi layered.

RELATED TOPICS

Wth a couple of EPs already out there for listeners to whet their appetite with, the Gypsies have now delivered the main course with their debut LP On The Loose (OTL). A thirteen track juggernaut of vicious guitar riffs and pounding rhythms OTL is a shining example of all that is good with music. Their music bounces around between vintage 60’s rock and southern rock and is all held together with the jangly guitar that dominates throughout. Listen to tracks like “1776”, “Honky Tonk Night” or “Gimmie Some” and you can hear the influences of the Kinks and Stones. Crank up “Trigger”, “I’ve Been Down This Road” or “Feel Like Making Love” for your daily dose of southern rock, which may be what they do best. Just when you think you have them pegged they offer up a couple of tracks like “Feel Like Dying” and “Stone Throwin’ Angels” that are full of country twang. Listening to this album never gets old.


The Blackfoot Gypsies - 1776
On The Loose is one of the more enjoyable listens of 2012. With each tune you are treated to raw unadulterated rock & roll and just when you think you have the band figured out they throw you a curve ball. The album is a cornucopia of rhythms and melodies and makes you wonder how two dudes can pull this off. I highly suggest you add this to your playlist, your ears will thank you. - The Examiner

It's invigorating to see such a band that says "f*** it all" to the super-hip, trying-harder-to-be-cool-than-to-make-good-music attitude. They like to play songs that bring people together. Blackfoot Gypsies' energy and efforts are put into their songs more than into their image. You get the sense that they are simply themselves. While they dress strangely, and live strangely, it's impossible to imagine them any other way. And their product is better for it. To borrow from Zack's comment on their music, the two certainly look like "rock and f***ing roll[ers]." If they weren't playing music for crowds, they probably wouldn't know what to do with their time. But what do you expect from a Viking-in-overalls drummer and a guy who lives on a bus?"
- Native Magazine

It's invigorating to see such a band that says "f*** it all" to the super-hip, trying-harder-to-be-cool-than-to-make-good-music attitude. They like to play songs that bring people together. Blackfoot Gypsies' energy and efforts are put into their songs more than into their image. You get the sense that they are simply themselves. While they dress strangely, and live strangely, it's impossible to imagine them any other way. And their product is better for it. To borrow from Zack's comment on their music, the two certainly look like "rock and f***ing roll[ers]." If they weren't playing music for crowds, they probably wouldn't know what to do with their time. But what do you expect from a Viking-in-overalls drummer and a guy who lives on a bus?"
- Native Magazine

Blackfoot Gypsies – Good lord! This dazzling duo out of Nashville, TN is determined to put the rock back in Southern music. A glorious mash up of vintage country and classic blues rock with a bunch of added distortion, their song submission nearly caused me to blow out my computer speakers I liked it so much! Similar artists include The Rolling Stones, Howlin’ Wolf, and Willie Nelson. You’ve got to hear this band!

ReverbNation Page – http://www.reverbnation.com/blackfootgypsies
Song Sample – “Don’t Know About You” - The Ripple Effect

Blackfoot Gypsies make just as much noise with a two-man lineup. Singer-guitarist Matthew Paige and drummer Zack Murphy specialize in seriously overdriven blues-rock and the occasional wild-eyed, down-home instrumental. You can rarely tell what words are coming out of Paige’s mouth on their debut EP, but it doesn’t much matter. They (and their guest bassist/keyboardist) tear into the songs with the sort of abandon that can only come from players as young and riled as the Woodstock crowd was then, as opposed to now. - Nashville Scene

Blackfoot Gypsies make just as much noise with a two-man lineup. Singer-guitarist Matthew Paige and drummer Zack Murphy specialize in seriously overdriven blues-rock and the occasional wild-eyed, down-home instrumental. You can rarely tell what words are coming out of Paige’s mouth on their debut EP, but it doesn’t much matter. They (and their guest bassist/keyboardist) tear into the songs with the sort of abandon that can only come from players as young and riled as the Woodstock crowd was then, as opposed to now. - Nashville Scene

BLACKFOOT GYPSIES Making Keith Richards’ riffs (circa Exile on Main St.) sound clean by comparison, this raggedy duo meshes rock, blues and country with funky rawness. It’s all in good fun as the blokes rearrange vintage country with a glorious racket that only guitars, drums, and drunken howling can create, when in the right hands, that is. Sure, lo-fi is requisite here, but more akin to treble-laden bombast, not in the crappy sound sense. $7. Double Door Inn. - Creative Loafing

BLACKFOOT GYPSIES Making Keith Richards’ riffs (circa Exile on Main St.) sound clean by comparison, this raggedy duo meshes rock, blues and country with funky rawness. It’s all in good fun as the blokes rearrange vintage country with a glorious racket that only guitars, drums, and drunken howling can create, when in the right hands, that is. Sure, lo-fi is requisite here, but more akin to treble-laden bombast, not in the crappy sound sense. $7. Double Door Inn. - Creative Loafing

Rainy day, how 'bout a fresh vid? Local blues- and country-infused rock 'n' roll duo Blackfoot Gypsies will release their debut LP, On the Loose, on Aug. 17, and they've just premiered their video for the tune "Don't Know About You." Directed by Cream contributor Seth Graves, the video features a lot of parking-lot jocularity and back-yard horseplay, not to mention a bit of performance footage and a last-minute cameo from East Side haunt Dino's.

You might say that frontman Matthew Paige is in bad company with his mid-chorus declaration that he "feels like making love," but the Gypsies' influences — Gram Parsons, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, the Stones — are about as on-the-sleeve as they come, no? - Nashville Scene

Rainy day, how 'bout a fresh vid? Local blues- and country-infused rock 'n' roll duo Blackfoot Gypsies will release their debut LP, On the Loose, on Aug. 17, and they've just premiered their video for the tune "Don't Know About You." Directed by Cream contributor Seth Graves, the video features a lot of parking-lot jocularity and back-yard horseplay, not to mention a bit of performance footage and a last-minute cameo from East Side haunt Dino's.

You might say that frontman Matthew Paige is in bad company with his mid-chorus declaration that he "feels like making love," but the Gypsies' influences — Gram Parsons, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, the Stones — are about as on-the-sleeve as they come, no? - Nashville Scene

Blackfoot Gypsies, present their southern fried blues for the Facebook generation.

Straight out of Nashville, the duo are made up of Matthew Paige (vocals/guitar) and Zach Murphy (drums).

With a obvious love of blues and country music of past, the band combine the electrifying guitar playing of Keith Richards and Thunderous drumming of John Bonham with tales of whiskey and heartbreak.

Whilst singer Matthew Paige’s ragged vocals recall that of a young Jack White.

This is booze soaked unadulterated bluesy rock and roll, the way rock and roll should be.

The lyric from their song “dance” could even serve as the duo’s manifesto, “we are gonna keep on rocking till the day we die”

For more information on the band, please visit their bandcamp page http://blackfootgypsies.bandcamp.com/ - Indie Music Mag

Blackfoot Gypsies, present their southern fried blues for the Facebook generation.

Straight out of Nashville, the duo are made up of Matthew Paige (vocals/guitar) and Zach Murphy (drums).

With a obvious love of blues and country music of past, the band combine the electrifying guitar playing of Keith Richards and Thunderous drumming of John Bonham with tales of whiskey and heartbreak.

Whilst singer Matthew Paige’s ragged vocals recall that of a young Jack White.

This is booze soaked unadulterated bluesy rock and roll, the way rock and roll should be.

The lyric from their song “dance” could even serve as the duo’s manifesto, “we are gonna keep on rocking till the day we die”

For more information on the band, please visit their bandcamp page http://blackfootgypsies.bandcamp.com/ - Indie Music Mag

I don’t quite know what I was expecting when I walked into Preservation Pub, but what I was met with was a face-melting rock n’ roll party. This two man band packs more punch than a kick to the face. Their fast-paced, catchy tunes may cause rowdiness and an urge to drink jack and waters until your lights go out. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a band who will get your heart pumping the Blackfoot Gypsies out of Nashville, TN are it. To be honest, we rocked so hard, we had to call it a night early (we never got to see the Black Cadillacs… I hear they’re playing Volapalooza, so we’ll catch them then). I sincerely recommend checking them out, especially if you’re a fan of bands like: The Black Keys or the The White Stripes. Its not that often that I fall in love with a band on the spot, but every once in a while… BAM!, it happens and this time it was with two fancy, long-haired, hillbilly rock and rollers who play like it’s their last day on earth.

….and my ears are still ringing. Amazing. - The Angry Grad

"Sounding directly from the backwoods of an undisclosed moonshine distillery somewhere in central Tennessee, the opening lick of "Coming Through the Pines" invoked raised fists and swigged shots in honor of those influential to the Blackfoot Gypsies, such as Jimi Hendrix, MC5, and The White Stripes. At this point, if you didn't like the loud, fierce, tenactiy bombarding the room like musical mortars, you better had gotten out before "Statesboro Blues" caused a shock-wave so powerful that it stopped you dead in your tracks. Zack, with the fervor of Paul Bunyan hammering away at 200 feet tall trees, beat his drums dumb while flinging his locks back and forth like a wild caveman throughout the entirety of the show. Matthew's country roots panache, accompanied with his unusually enhancing voice that sounds like it's projected through a tin can, kept eyes and ears focused on his gritty guitar work for songs like "Mr. Pumpernickel" and "The Day is Real." Look out folks! " - The Music Initiative

"Sounding directly from the backwoods of an undisclosed moonshine distillery somewhere in central Tennessee, the opening lick of "Coming Through the Pines" invoked raised fists and swigged shots in honor of those influential to the Blackfoot Gypsies, such as Jimi Hendrix, MC5, and The White Stripes. At this point, if you didn't like the loud, fierce, tenactiy bombarding the room like musical mortars, you better had gotten out before "Statesboro Blues" caused a shock-wave so powerful that it stopped you dead in your tracks. Zack, with the fervor of Paul Bunyan hammering away at 200 feet tall trees, beat his drums dumb while flinging his locks back and forth like a wild caveman throughout the entirety of the show. Matthew's country roots panache, accompanied with his unusually enhancing voice that sounds like it's projected through a tin can, kept eyes and ears focused on his gritty guitar work for songs like "Mr. Pumpernickel" and "The Day is Real." Look out folks! " - The Music Initiative

Nashville’s swaggering Blackfoot Gypsies ended last year by releasing a very cool, very free EP full of ragged, Rolling Stones and MC5-inspired country/blues rock called Dandee Cheeseball. It has the bombast of reckless experimentation with unmarked pharmacy bottles from grandma’s medicine cabinet, tempered with a sturdy appreciation for the bluesier side of late, late sixties rock ‘n roll. Pretty rad… - The Downcast

Spoken word master Gil Scott Heron stated it right when he said, “the Blues has (sic) always been totally American,” in his “Bicentennial Blues” serenade.

Given there are several political undertones within; the first part paints the picture of the Blues being American as apple pie – answering the question as to why Blues and America go hand in hand.

In the same way, there is no question whether the Blackfoot Gypsies are set to spread their message of American Blues with a raucous, rock ‘n’ roll explosion across the state.

Based out of Nashville, the duo is composed of singer and guitarist Matthew Paige along with drummer Zach Murphy.

Although the two-man band has been around for years, it has come to the forefront in recent days with success from groups like The Black Keys, The White Stripes and Jeff the Brotherhood.

Nonetheless, The Gypsies are no exception.

“We started off as a two-piece and hoped to expand but like the way it fits,” Paige said.

“It fits like O.J.’s glove,” Murphy jokingly noted.

“You can do more with less. We’re not doing anything with any technology. We function that way successfully. If it’s not broke then don’t fix it,” Paige said.

And by working with less, the end result is a forceful rock ‘n’ roll sound that crosses paths with several different genres and stands out as truly American most of all.

Paige and Murphy are full of get-up-and-go, and they charge forward with grooves and rhythms that are reminiscent of early Bluesmen like Robert Johnson or rock greats Led Zeppelin.

“We got started with the appreciation of all American music genres,” Paige said. He added their influences cross the spectrum from George Jones to The Ramones.

“We’re based in Blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. We’re into spreading awareness of these styles through our music.”

With responsibilities such as this, the group doesn’t worry about the money side too much, although they do realize the nature of the business.

“We started making music before money was in the equation. We’d like to destroy the Nickelbacks of the world,” Paige said.

“I know it’s a guilty pleasure. Some people like McDonald’s, but we’re tasteful,” Murphy said.

And simply being tasteful can go a long way these days.

The group is set to drop a new record in the early part of 2012, which will be released first on vinyl, with a digital release to follow. Whatever your blues may be, the Blackfoot Gypsies are sure to be a must-see in a live setting.

The Gypsies have a full schedule for the rest of the year, but you will be able to catch them in the mid-state with additional dates over the next few months, including shows in Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.

For more information on the band, check out the band’s Facebook page.

To view performances, visit their YouTube channel at youtube.com/blackfootgypsies. - The Murfreesboro Post

Spoken word master Gil Scott Heron stated it right when he said, “the Blues has (sic) always been totally American,” in his “Bicentennial Blues” serenade.

Given there are several political undertones within; the first part paints the picture of the Blues being American as apple pie – answering the question as to why Blues and America go hand in hand.

In the same way, there is no question whether the Blackfoot Gypsies are set to spread their message of American Blues with a raucous, rock ‘n’ roll explosion across the state.

Based out of Nashville, the duo is composed of singer and guitarist Matthew Paige along with drummer Zach Murphy.

Although the two-man band has been around for years, it has come to the forefront in recent days with success from groups like The Black Keys, The White Stripes and Jeff the Brotherhood.

Nonetheless, The Gypsies are no exception.

“We started off as a two-piece and hoped to expand but like the way it fits,” Paige said.

“It fits like O.J.’s glove,” Murphy jokingly noted.

“You can do more with less. We’re not doing anything with any technology. We function that way successfully. If it’s not broke then don’t fix it,” Paige said.

And by working with less, the end result is a forceful rock ‘n’ roll sound that crosses paths with several different genres and stands out as truly American most of all.

Paige and Murphy are full of get-up-and-go, and they charge forward with grooves and rhythms that are reminiscent of early Bluesmen like Robert Johnson or rock greats Led Zeppelin.

“We got started with the appreciation of all American music genres,” Paige said. He added their influences cross the spectrum from George Jones to The Ramones.

“We’re based in Blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. We’re into spreading awareness of these styles through our music.”

With responsibilities such as this, the group doesn’t worry about the money side too much, although they do realize the nature of the business.

“We started making music before money was in the equation. We’d like to destroy the Nickelbacks of the world,” Paige said.

“I know it’s a guilty pleasure. Some people like McDonald’s, but we’re tasteful,” Murphy said.

And simply being tasteful can go a long way these days.

The group is set to drop a new record in the early part of 2012, which will be released first on vinyl, with a digital release to follow. Whatever your blues may be, the Blackfoot Gypsies are sure to be a must-see in a live setting.

The Gypsies have a full schedule for the rest of the year, but you will be able to catch them in the mid-state with additional dates over the next few months, including shows in Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.

For more information on the band, check out the band’s Facebook page.

To view performances, visit their YouTube channel at youtube.com/blackfootgypsies. - The Murfreesboro Post

If you are looking at this post, you most likely do not have tickets to the incredibly sold out Raconteurs gig tonight at Third Man Records. And, for whatever reason, you are not interested in seeing TV On The Radio and Broken Social Scene tonight at the Ryman. Maybe you are just itching to support a local southern fried rock band? Well, I think I have it for you. You now have multiple options to get out and see some live music tonight. C’mon people, it is hump day, and how can you hump if you don’t get out there!

Blackfoot Gypsies are a Nashville based roots based rock band formed by the melding of guitarist and singer/songwriter Matthew Paige and drummer Zack Murphy. They combine slices of Bob Dylan’s folk with Robert Johnson’s blues, and, more notoriously, they overdrive it into your face with the force of a Led Zeppelin. It’s a jam band, a rock band, and a blues band, as these two guys solidly command their instruments and the venue. So, if you just need some good ‘ole fashioned southern rock music, get out and support these guys.

Here is a link so you can get familiar with their music. It’s a link to their facebook page, but don’t worry facebook-phobes an account is not required. I’ve also attached their Balcony TV set recorded live in Nashville. It’s a bit more acoustic and Dylan-esque, so I would recommend listening to the songs at the link above before you pass judgement.

If you like what you hear, head out to see these guys rip up the Exit/In tonight with openers Joshua Black Wilkins and Kentucky Knife Fight. It’s a night filled with a lot of slices of Americana. Tickets are a mere $6, and doors open at 8pm. Get out there and see some live music. - No Country for New Nashville

The weekend’s most explosive show. This Nashville duo of guitarist/singer and drummer is a high haired mix of sixties garage band sounds and caustic 70’s rocker blues through a psychedelic filter. Its bare bones rock music (handclaps and “Stick Fingers” guitar riffs) that’s a blend of Stonesy swagger and T.Rex spaciness. Think Wolfmother but more grounded in the rural south. It sounds fiery on a tiny computer speaker and may just set the Satellite on fire Friday. Bring Kevlar jackets. Details: Doors 9 pm, 21+, Friday, 120 Greenfield St., Wilmington. - Star New Online

e’re always a sucker for a vintage-influenced blues/rock 2-piece… and Nashville’s Blackfoot Gypsies are defiantly hitting that mark. We recently discovered this guitar/drum duo and are eager to catch a live show and see what these guys are all about! They won’t be swinging by Chattanooga, but they’ll be roaming the south the next couple of months, covering Asheville, Charlotte, Nashville and a few more. Catch all show dates here.

And also check out a couple of live performances and some tracks from their new self-titled EP below… Diggin’ what you hear? Pick up the Blackfoot Gypsies EP here on iTunes: - The Southern Rail

e’re always a sucker for a vintage-influenced blues/rock 2-piece… and Nashville’s Blackfoot Gypsies are defiantly hitting that mark. We recently discovered this guitar/drum duo and are eager to catch a live show and see what these guys are all about! They won’t be swinging by Chattanooga, but they’ll be roaming the south the next couple of months, covering Asheville, Charlotte, Nashville and a few more. Catch all show dates here.

And also check out a couple of live performances and some tracks from their new self-titled EP below… Diggin’ what you hear? Pick up the Blackfoot Gypsies EP here on iTunes: - The Southern Rail

The Blackfoot Gypsies reside in Nashville. That’s the city wherein two unique souls found common ground in their distinct upbringings. One half of the band (Matthew) is the child of a Boston-native father and a New Orleans-raised mother, resulting in “some strange breed of Irish and coon-ass”; the other (Zack) was strongly urged to learn violin at the ripe age of three by his parents, but ultimately rebelled in response to a natural desire to drum. Both men remember listening to the tunes their parents subjected them to at a young age. Matthew cites Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Louis, and Carter Family while Zack maintains a more general remembrance of his musical youth: “Some of my earliest memories of music are jumpin’ around the living room to my parents’ rock n roll records. They put the stop on that when I broke the needle about five times.”

Matthew was raised in the Pacific Northwest around Washington and Oregon but eventually relocated to Nashville to pursue music. Zack is a native to the city, though he believes Nashville has developed and matured with time, just as any person would do with age. “It’s funny,” he remembers. “I never truly appreciated living in such a rad place like Nashville until I moved away for 6 years. When I moved back, it really was a completely different town.”

With these individual views and life experiences, the two connected via a Craigslist ad and have ultimately fashioned a sound that’s steeped in the bucolic characteristics of southern music, yet spiced with the rawness of a rock-n-roll duo. Below, The Blackfoot Gypsies delve even further into their short, but rich, band history.

NUVO: Matthew, your last name is Paige. Any relation to Jimmy?

Matthew: Nope. He's a "Page"... I'm a Paige. Ya dig? He was (and still is) a huge influence on my guitar playing. We’re doing the same thing- taking old school blues and making it our own however we can.

NUVO: Your guitar skills (and hair!) are certainly related. How did you find and perfect your sound?

Matthew: Pure desperation. I used to be in a four-piece band and all i had to do was play guitar. I had no idea the luxury I was in at the time. When that fell apart, back in Vancouver, WA, I had to learn how to make all that noise myself. The best way was to play in open tuning, just like the old blues guys (Son House, Elmore James, Mississippi Fred McDowell, etc.). You hit the strings and it’s already a chord, then add one finger here and there and change the chord a little… you can play the rhythm and lead at the same time. It’s like playing a six string banjo through a fuzz pedal with a slide on your finger. Finding the right amp to cover the spectrum of sound from the bass to treble was difficult and it’s all really still a desperate attempt at filling the void. I think that really plays toward the lonesome sound of our band... it’s all there. It’s bare bones, but bones nonetheless.

NUVO: How did the two of you meet and discover you can make neat music together?

Matthew: When i moved to Nashville i put an ad out on Craigslist looking for "My Charlie Watts". A few days later, and a few misses later, I got a call from Zack and immediately we hit it off, name dropping our favorite bands and musicians

Zack: After our first jam session of just playin random stuff and kinda getting a feel for a direction and shape our music would take, I was as giddy as a pig flyin over a shit farm to get something cookin.

Matthew: I described the vision of the band and where it could go, after the first rehearsal it was like we had been playing for weeks.

NUVO: You’ve got a lot of classic rock bands listed as influences that Blackfoot Gypsies are often compared to (The Rolling Stones, CCR, Steve Miller Band, Bob Dylan). Are there any bands that you listen to that might come as a shock or surprise to your fans?

Matthew: I'm sure it’s not a shock, but we both listen to a lot of country (pre-1980). It’s all rock-n-roll to me with subtle changes. It’s like a poor white man’s blues. Lots of early punk bands, too; from The Cramps to The Dead Kennedy's. It’s the energy we feed off of. No matter what instruments it’s coming through, the energy is undeniable.

Zack: Really anything that is genuine, gets my foot stompin’, ass shakin’, or just moves me in a good way.

NUVO: How would you describe your lyrical objectives? Are you recounting personal experiences? Telling made-up stories? Attempting to change/affect viewpoints on certain topics?

Matthew: All of the above, I’d say. Picking just one outlet for your music would only limit you and I'm all about being free and getting it all out there. Reflecting on personal experiences is the easiest way for me to write a song because the lyrics are in the dialog of life. If you make them up, you run the risk of just sounding like an ass who doesn't go outside.

NUVO: Do you play all the instruments on your album?

Zack: - Nuvo Magazine

There was a time not all that long ago when no self-respecting twentysomething band would’ve wanted to cop to playing any music as meaty, swaggering and devoid of irony as classic rock — not with all their peers favoring rock of an indie variety. But that day’s past — or it’s passing — and the two young guys in Blackfoot Gypsies churn out ’70s-inspired, blues-infused rock ’n’ roll with abandon. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Matthew Paige — formerly of Vancouver’s Love Trucker — and drummer Zack Murphy possess Stonesy range. The self-titled EP they released a few months back spans lean and scruffy country (“Stone Throwing Angels”) and feral riffing and stomping (“Coming Through the Pines”). It’s no mere exercise. Paige has written some inspired songs, and he and Murphy attack them like they mean it. - Nashville Scene

There was a time not all that long ago when no self-respecting twentysomething band would’ve wanted to cop to playing any music as meaty, swaggering and devoid of irony as classic rock — not with all their peers favoring rock of an indie variety. But that day’s past — or it’s passing — and the two young guys in Blackfoot Gypsies churn out ’70s-inspired, blues-infused rock ’n’ roll with abandon. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Matthew Paige — formerly of Vancouver’s Love Trucker — and drummer Zack Murphy possess Stonesy range. The self-titled EP they released a few months back spans lean and scruffy country (“Stone Throwing Angels”) and feral riffing and stomping (“Coming Through the Pines”). It’s no mere exercise. Paige has written some inspired songs, and he and Murphy attack them like they mean it. - Nashville Scene