Gospel Claws
| Gospel Claws | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tempe, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 2007 - present |
| Labels |
Common Wall Media Modern Art Records |
| Associated acts |
Dear and the Headlights The Through & Through Gospel Review Spiritual Warfare Sloan Dylan and Good Company Samuel L. and the Cool Js |
| Website | www |
| Members |
Joel Marquard |
| Past members |
Haendel Balzora |
Joel Marquard
Sloan Walters
Scott Hall
John Mulhern
Jef Wright
Haendel Balzora
Mark Erickson
Gospel Claws is an indie rock band based out of Tempe, Arizona.
After leaving Dear and the Headlights in 2007, Gospel Claws lead-singer and guitarist Joel Marquard returned to his job as a delivery-man for FedEx. His attachment to music, however, could not keep him out of the scene. That same year, he began collaborating with his friend Sloan Walters, drawing from the catalog of music that he had written over time outside of Dear and the Headlights. These two songwriters eventually recruited John Mulhern and Scott Hall to fill out the rhythm section. Ironically, it was Marquard's day job for FedEx that led him to make the connections necessary to solidify the band's line-up. One day, he found that he had a delivery for Wesley Hilsabeck, a talented guitarist that he had met in the past. Recognizing the name on the package, but not finding him at home, Marquard left a message which eventually led to Hilsabeck joining the band.
The band's choice of name has been a consistent subject of discussion. Although the band bears the name Gospel Claws, and its members originally connected through church experiences, Gospel Claws is not a Christian band. The band has also had to deal with the constant misspelling of its name, as writers and promoters have listed them as Gospel Clause instead of Gospel Claws. The band's first full-length album's name, C-L-A-W-S, stemmed from that issue. Band members have stated that they sometimes regret their original choice of name, and have considered changing it.
Gospel Claws released its first studio recording in 2009. This self-titled EP would create some early buzz for the band. Brandon Nolta at Boise Weekly enjoyed the record's "new-retro vibe" and said that it was "well worth your currency, no matter how inscrutable [the band's] name."
The band would continue to pick up momentum with its first full-length album, C-L-A-W-S, released in October 2010. This album was recorded almost entirely live by Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket Recording, and was very positively received. One critic raved that, "combining indie rock, folk and a bit of soul to produce their own distinctive sound," Gospel Claws' "musical ingenuity separates them from the crowd." Kate Bracaglia at Phrequency.com said the record "is full of the type of slosh-y summer anthems that make you feel alive—from the pounding beat and stylish, [ Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ]-style guitars of opener 'Walk me down' to the sing-song-y, campfire feel of 'Summer nights lakeside.'"
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Wikipedia