Based on the absence of covers on this disc, (only three out of fourteen) it's apparent that Fink likes to play wordsmith. Some great lyrics elevate songs that would be otherwise simplistic above other composers of the genre. Production value is good, with an organic, analog flavor. Jazzy outright swingers mix with rockabilly tinged rockers in a potful of tasty stew that keeps your intrest throughout. The Flamenco intro to Sing for Your Supper seems a bit of a non-sequiter given the spirit of the song, but hey... why not? The moody When I Come Home soothes the savage beast (Gorilla?) and Last Chance Motor Ride proves Fink's lyrical finesse. I give this disk four stars so I have somewhere to go when Fink's next collection shows up! Rick Fink and His Gashouse Gorillas could get a double amputee tapping his toes! Give it a go!

Hey everybody, I've been lucky enough to get my hands on this fine CD and can tell you that it's worth every penny. Solid tunes, talented musicians, and vocals to make your momma swoon. Even a bonus track for those who stick around 'til the end. Congrats on the new album, Rick!

Three years ago, Rick Fink booked the first gig for Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas when he was the sole member of the band. Using only a demo tape to promote his band, the 43-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., resident had to scramble to recruit blues and rock musicians to create his "Gas House Gorillas." "It (jump blues and rock 'n' roll music) was something I always had an interest in, so I started sending out e-mails to people who played this type of music," he said. A Bugs Bunny cartoon provided the inspiration behind the band's catchy name. "It came from a cartoon where he (Bugs Bunny) plays a game of baseball vs. a team named the Gas House Gorillas," Fink said. "And the name has been floating around in my head for years." Fink described the group as five men who "crack each other up on stage and have a really nice and relaxed vibe, because they are all friends." Members of the band include Fink, guitar and vocals; Joe Geary, drums; Jimmy Prav, guitar; Chris "Crusher" Carmean, bass; and Dan Alvaro, saxophone. "It is an extremely rare situation when you can get into a group of guys with such a focused group mentality toward the band," said Carmean, 42, of Pequannock, Morris County, "It is very rare when all members of a band are on the same page and everyone has equal amounts of ego — it's awesome." Fink explained how the band has started to catch on to listeners and build a strong audience base. "In the beginning, everyone thought of us as a swing band, and that drives me nuts," he said. "When I think of swing bands I think of guys in mustard-yellow zoot suits — and we wanted to do something different. "We like to do different kinds of songs and play for regular people. We have done some of the Lindy-Hop gigs, but you are expected to keep a medium-tempo swing all night and become a metronome. We are performers." Fink said he models his performances after the late Queen frontman Freddy Mercury's fearlessness because he, "makes the performance an event and has the crowd be a big part of (the performance)." Musically, Fink said he has been inspired by blues legend Wynonie Harris, Gene Autry, Sam Cooke, Cab Calloway and Elvis Presley. The songs encompass a range of styles, including jump blues, gypsy swing, early rock 'n' roll, New Orleans R&B and country-western, according to the band's Web site, www.gashousegorillas.org. For Rick Fink and his Gas House Gorillas, performing is what being in the band is all about. "There is no drug or sexual act that can take the place at that moment when the band is (performing) and doing what it's suppose to be doing," Carmean said. "It's completely and totally why a musician plays." "It feels like flying when I am performing. It feels effortless," Fink said. "You are throwing energy back-and-forth (with the audience and band), and everyone is together." The band members all have their own personal performance style, Carmean said. "I get into my music completely and totally, and tend to get violent with my bass," he said. "I kick, spin and throw it, but only if it's really moving me." "The bigger the crowd, the better. When we get up (to perform) it feels like this is my house," Fink said with a laugh. "The chemistry in the band is what keeps me doing it, but sometimes all the work can be a drag," Fink said. "The fact is the band is filled with killer musicians, and it's amazing when we are on stage together. I could do it seven days a week."

I love this style of music and the Gorillas put it across the way it should. Lots of energy and you can tell they love playing together and love what they do.