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The Gibson Bros. Biography

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A crazed psychobilly quartet which later fragmented into the Workdogs and '68 Comeback, the Gibson Bros. formed in Ohio during the mid-'80s, playing barely competent yet totally energetic bluesy roots rock which later became a staple of indie rock through groups like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Mule, and the Delta 72. Vocalist/guitarists Don Howland (formerly with Great Plains) and Jeff Evans were the most stable members of the group, though third guitarist Dan Dow and drummer Ellen Hoover also appeared on the Gibson Bros.' first three albums, the obscure 1986 cassette-only Build a Raft plus the Homestead releases Big Pine Boogie and Dedicated Fool. For 1990's Punk Rock Drivin' Song of a Gun, Howland and Evans were billed with Workdogs, a rhythm-section-for-hire including bassist Rob Kennedy and drummer Scott Jarvis. The fifth Gibson Bros. LP, 1991's The Man Who Loved Couch Dancing, alternated home recordings and live shots, the latter with indie heavy weights Jon Spencer and Cristina Martinez in tow. Spencer also appeared on the last record with both Howland and Evans, 1993's Memphis Sol Today!, recorded at Sun Studios. While Evans formed the similarly inspired -- and possibly even more raucous -- '68 Comeback, Howland worked with the Bassholes on albums released in 1992 and 1994. ~ John Bush, Rovi

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