Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown

Rank #1 Carlisle, PA Blues / blues/rock / Indie Rock

About

Members: Gary Brown - Guitar/Vocals

Sounds Like: Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, ZZ Top, Freddie King, Eric Gales

Bio: Bushmaster, featuring Gary Brown on Guitar and Vocals, is a blues-rock power trio based in the Central PA/MD/DC area. Subscribe to our channel to get updates on all the latest clips as they happen. Check out more about the band at www.BushmasterBlues.com

Gary Brown, lyricist, composer, guitar pl... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

New free live music available for you to download on my podcast - http://bushmasterblues.podomatic.com

Press

"...a fifteen track effort that is appealing and confounding, rough cut and poignant, political and literal. If you like blues, muddy rock or juke joint jive, Bushmaster's the ticket... Their sounds make you want to go see them live and experience the talent first hand and witness Brown impromptu..."

— Navajo Slim (aka: Greg Hasty), Lit Magazine

“Rock Over America Magazine's First Annual Music Awards... Best Up and Coming Blues/Rock Artist - Gary Brown... ”

— Mark Lewis, Rock Over America Magazine

"... Bushmaster is undeniably a great guitar player. The versatility of styles shows that he isn’t going to be put neatly in one category, instead he’s going to lay down everything from a Walking Blues groove in ’40 Acres and A Mule’, then he’s going to give you a funky dance feel in ‘Victim of Nostalgia Remix’. That was the fun in listening to this CD, it was always something different. What really impressed me was the variety of subjects that Bushmaster tackled lyrically. ‘Arizona Shame On Ya’ and ‘War on the Poor’ take a look at some of the hottest issues of our times. ‘Nothing Up Your Sleeve’ with it’s less aggressive sound and soulful delivery asks you to take a look at your own behavior; ‘Phony People’ is a funky look at the people that stab you in the back as soon as you let your guard down. It seems to me that there aren't many things that are off limits in his lyrics..."

— Melissa Martinez, Rock Over America

"Bushmaster featuring the vocals and stellar guitar of Gary Brown... If you like blues, rock, and funk served with a great rhythm section and cool guitar then you will love Bushmaster... He will certainly play songs from his latest CD “Revolution Rhapsody: AKA Uprising Music.” I am sure he will also draw material from his three other albums and maybe jam out to a few covers. Whatever Bushmaster decides to play one thing is for certain it will be a great time..."

— MIKE SPAIN, Examiner

"Bushmaster Blues Hits the New Deal Stage on Friday Hear Gary Brown play funky blues rock in Greenbelt, MD.... A New Deal Café favorite, Gary Brown takes the stage Friday night from 8-11 in Greenbelt, MD, donning his guitar and playing funky blues rock. Find out more about Brown by visiting his websiteand listening to his YouTube video attached to this article...."

— Bailey Henneberg, Greenbelt Patch Newspaper

"Bushmaster, featuring Gary Brown, is based out of Pennsylvania and play some funky, bluesy, rockin’ music. Brown’s guitar is the centerpiece and he channels some Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hendrix. Big drums, bass, some organ. No FCC’s. *My Favorites*: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11. ..."

— MC Dizzy Jackson, KZSU Radio, Stanford, CA

"... The Bushmaster CD, “Revolution Rhapsody aka: Uprising Music” gives us sixteen well written songs performed by a fine mix of talented musicians and vocalist all led by an awesome leader Gary D. Brown. Having songs such as “Arizona Shame On You”, “Phony People” and “40 Acres And A Mule” makes you realize where this recording will take us. With Gary D. Brown leading the way on guitar, vocals and lyrics this is a recording to be listened to and to think about."

— Harmonica Joe, Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter

"The definition of cool. Bushmaster gives us swampy Southern Blues on the latest release featuring Gary Brown on vocals and guitar. He has a unique style that made me wish the guitars were louder on the first 2 tracks. It picked up after that. The lyrics get deeper as you go along too. These tunes rock you while getting you in the groove. Favorite tracks are "Arizona Shame On Ya" and "Phony People". I double dare you to not get these songs stuck in your head."

— Starr Tucker, New York Waste Magazine

"...Specifically, such surprises are in fact very much needed, they actually give 'something' album, which is symbolically called the Revolution Rhapsody aka: Uprising Music and it's just that the growing revolutionary or Rhapsody music. That is why we find here: War On The Poor - a great blues. Arizona Shame On Ya - protest song, I Will Shine in that the distinctive 'southern rock' style, like the legendary Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, etc., it might be there still a lot to write but we go further. album was recorded in studios WrightWay in Baltimore, MD to the executive producer Gary Brown and co-producer Steve Wright, who brought together a truly remarkable, but also a great album, on which we can find a really colorful painted and variety of music. All this led to an unusually interesting album, you will not just sit by the first, but listen again and you will see what happens..."

— Owen Andric, Soundguardian Magazine (Croatia)

"A mix of Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton combined, "Revolution Rhapsody" provides a few battle anthems for the next political uprising. Bushmaster, led by blues guitarist extraordinaire Gary Brown, starts the record off on a bold note, attacking racism head-on with "Cumberland Blues" and that was only the beginning. Playfully denouncing Arizona's racial profiling statute with his song "Arizona Shame on You", no doubt is left in the listener's mind which side of the political and moral spectrum Bushmaster falls. Taking on classism in addition on songs like "River Flow-Splash!" and "War on the Poor", Bushmaster shines a critical lens on the socioeconomic structure of the "haves" and "have-nots" in the world. ... it's clear Gary is a master of his instrument, bringing Jimi's "Voodoo Child" style back to life on "Victims of Nostalgia" and Stevie Ray's "Tightrope" style on "We All Fall Down". ..."

— Carlita, Music Emissions

"Imagine foot tapping sounds, strong vocals with cutting-edge and high power guitar effects. Gary Brown’s performances are just that and he wishes to share his love for guitar with all the music lovers of the world. Always looking for a way to perfect his already seemingly perfected craft, Gary Brown, from the Washington, DC area, has over 30 years experience as a musician. We were given the great pleasure of interviewing Gary, the funky blues master himself..."

— Nicole Freeman, Critic Studio Magazine

"Old Man Winter also smiled favorably on last month's 16th Annual Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg. After arriving, with no Thursday night showcases happening this year, I instead ventured southward to the Market Cross Pub in downtown Carlisle to take in part of the weekly Thursday night blues jam session hosted by Bushmaster singer and guitarist Gary Brown. Gary led a group of mostly younger and aspiring musicians on several blues jams. He directed the jams, calling out breaks, breakdowns, solos and more. Gary and the musicians showed their chops on versions of Elmore James' "The Sky Is Crying," the Dave Edmunds-popularized "I Hear You Knocking" and more. Gary was in excellent form on vocals and guitar, and it was reassuring to see him nurturing a future generation of blues players this night...

— Jim Price, March 2012 issue of PA Musician - The Professor's Live Reviews

“The Bushmaster has done it again. ... Brown is not abandoning his musical roots and he has got an important message to say. You can hear the spirits of Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Stevie Ray Vaughan, James Brown, Hubert Sumlin, among many others, shining their light and if you don´t talk after the last track of the cd you can hear the big ones in the sky give it up for the Bushmaster. Every time I play this cd it gets better. Although the first time I listened to it was good already. This music is like a big painting; I always hear new things, yet I also feel at home with familiair guitar licks. I also like the rhythm changes, like ‘River flow –Splash!’ and 'Trudi', it reminds me a bit of ZZ Top. This cd won’t get out of my cd player for a longtime. I’ll play the tracks in my radio show, and maybe one day the Bushmaster will be in my studio to show the Dutch people his music in person. Gary Brown is a great artist and has got great members of his band.”

— Bertwin Bijleveld, radio show "Blues and Friends", The Netherlands

"Talk about capturing the Zeitgeist—as the Occupy movement spreads across the country, and class inequality finds a place in mainstream political discussion for the first time in decades, guitarist Gary Brown and his cohorts have come out with a blast of populist fervor laced with unapologetically revolutionary overtones. Most of what’s here is less blues, as such, than hard-driving rock and pop with a bluesy tinge, although occasionally, as on 40 Acres and a Mule (similar to, but not exactly like, the Bobby Rush song) Brown sets his lyrics to a pounding blues shuffle. Victim of Nostalgia is likewise derivative (of the Meters’ Cissy Strut), but it’s for a reason: Brown satirizes a retro-hipster, draped in a “big brown hat and that weird poncho,” who’s more interested in living in the past than working for a better future. Brown’s high-energy anthems of outrage and liberation are effective on their own terms, but he hits hardest when he hits most gently..."

— David Whiteis, Living Blues Magazine

"...Band leader Gary D. Brown (songwriter, singer, guitarist) and his fellow artists present sixteen all original anthems in a mixed bag of musical styles with contemporary themes. Here are three that will spark blues’ fans interest (and perhaps their outrage): Track 4: “Arizona Shame On Ya”--This is not a denunciation of the Grand Canyon State per se, but rather its immigration policy and treatment of Latino laborers: “They like your yard work, your housework too, your food and music--hombre, they’ll just use you. Skin of brown, heart of blue. Keep your head down; you might make it through….” Harmonica player Rodger Edsall perks ears while Brown demonstrates this is not his first time on a fretboard. Guest star Jaime Acuna, owner of the Chaparritas Mexican Restaurant, expertly translates Brown’s lyrics into Spanish in one passage. No matter which side of this particular debate one supports, “Arizona’s” mid-tempo shuffle refrain is so catchy that one will find on

— Rainey Wetnight, Blues Blast Magazine

"...Channeling influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robin Trower; Brown introduces a knack for sharp, socially and politically conscious lyrical messages on Bushmaster's third album, "Revolution Rhapsody". ... The performances are strong and gutsy; Brown again displays impeccable skill on the fretboard with sizzling solos and chunky riffage; executed in smooth conjunction with bassist Jay A. Turner, drummers John Thomakos and Spencer Brown, keyboardist Kirk Meyers and several guest musicians. The arrangements are strong and muscular in the best late '60s/early '70s tradition, the melodies and words connect, and Bushmaster's variations of attack keep the disc sounding fresh from start to end. With its pertinent present day-inspired lyrics, "Revolution Rhapsody's" scathing blues, rock and funk ups the ante and edge, resulting in Bushmaster's strongest album so far."

— Jim Price, PA Musician Magazine

"...When I closed my eyes I had visions of Jimi Hendrix dancing through my head. His is very much like what I believe Hendrix would be playing, were he to have lived this long. From blues/rock very reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix to slow and sultry ballads, down home, back in the alley traditional blues to an almost folk style, this cat has his bases covered.... This piece addresses a number of current political and social issues and does a nice job at getting his point across. Is this piece a good choice for all of our readers, probably not, but if you are feeling adventurous, you might just like what you hear. Call it blues-rock/Americana, Revolution Rhapsody stirred some feelings deep inside that had been lying dormant for quite some time..."

— Bill Wilson, Billtown Blue Notes

"...“Revolution Rhapsody” therefore demonstrates the stylistic eloquence that we have come to expect and does so over a variety of musical styles. You can hear our Mr Brown’s Hendrix influences breaking through most strongly in “Cumberland Blues” but, for those of you familiar with his previous releases, there is more variety to enjoy this time around. “War On The Poor”, as an example, is about as conventional a blues track as Lonnie Brooks might have made back in the days but, in something of a contrast, the lyrics suggest something akin to a political awakening has taken place in the background..."

— Blues Bunny, Blues Bunny Magazine

"...Some bands embrace a retro sound as homage or to prove a certain kind of affiliation. Others are trying to capture a time or feeling that resonates with their psyche. Gary Brown's Bushmaster seems so steeped in 1969-1975, it's like they're time travelers. They perfectly evoke a blend of Jimi Hendrix and Paul Rodgers-era Bad Company filtered through a solid electric blues band...."

— Jason Goldman, Jester Jay Music

"...This entire Cd flows like a river of soul and D.C. funk, both reflecting the blue sky on the surface, and the murky depths of self-evaluation under the surface of anything that is precious or worthwhile. Stand-out tracks (Subjective evaluation) are : Victim Of Nostalgia, War On The Poor, 40 Acres and A Mule, Trudi, ( a joyful musical expression of love for Mr. Brown’s life partner-and the hardest working woman in show business-Trudi Brown). ..and this reviewer’s personal favorite -the deeply moving and soulful-Nothing Up Your Sleeve: hands down one of the best reflections of hope for humanity ever written by this fine artist. You want FUUUNNNNK? Listen to River Flow-Splash! Lock-Jaw Rock? : We All Fall Down. (“where you tryin ta take us? We been there once before, and now we're here ta tell ya ,ain’t goin back no more..”) Uh-huh...."

— Mystr Treefrog, Mystr Treefrog's Blitherfest

"Hi Gary, I just downloaded the album, and took a listen. The production sounds great, and there's definitely some tasty riffs in there! Just FYI though, The Squid doesn't do album reviews. I appreciate you sending this along though! Thanks, Seth Hansen"

— Seth Hansen, Editor, Guitar Squid

"Hey Gary, loved the CD nice playing nice writng. I wish you the very best!!! Advice? Be everywhere!"

— Ted Horowitz, Popa Chubby

"...The album begins with “Cumberland Blues” and while you instantly notice how good Brown’s songwriting is, it doesn’t compare to his guitar playing. Bushmaster gets their funk on for “Victim of Nostalgia,” before heading into the swamp-style blues of “Arizona Shame On Me.” Brown uses a classic blues guitar riff for “Ball ‘N’ Jack” then lets his guitar do the all the talking in “Sidewalk Strut.” The song “War On The Poor” can easily be a radio hit with its perfection combination of words and music. Bushmaster rock out on “River Flow – Splash!” and also show their softer side with the six-minute “Nothing Up Your Sleeve.” The album closes with a funky remix of “Victim of Nostalgia” that adds more electronics to the overall sound of the song..."

— Jim Pasinski, JP's Music Blog - Record Journal Newspaper Publishing Co.

"A few other highlights of the month include the great schedule at Market Cross Pub in Carlisle. Market Cross offers that cozy local pub feeling with great brews, English cuisine and a variety of entertainment from a multitude of genres. A highlight this month will be on Friday, December 16th when Bushmaster takes the stage. ... Enjoy the show and check out Market Cross Pub's December schedule..."

— Robin & Whitey Noll, Pennsylvania Musician

"... Gary D. Brown, and his band Bushmaster, are due to release a new CD entitled, "Revolution Rhapsody aka: Uprising Music" within the next two months. Drawing on several current political and social topics in the news recently, Brown's songwriting on this new disc evokes both hope and angst..."

— PA Music Scene

"... I returned to the Festival Shell Stage to see blues trio Bushmaster. Front and center in this group was singer and guitarist Gary Brown who displayed some incredible scorching solo work throughout the set on original blues rock, plus numbers like Don Nix's "I'm Going Down", and Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile"..."

— Jim Price, Pennsylvania Musician Magazine

"...Gary Brown strives to keep Hendrix's spirit alive, not just in his music, but in his everyday life..."

— Brandi Mellinger, Ocean City Today

"...'Thousand Miles from Nowhere' will cause your face to scrunch up with deep emotion upon listening..."

— Michelle Oxley, Beachcomber

"...You'll be impressed, as I was, at the huge talent that is Gary Brown..."

— Brenda Golden, Coconut Times

"...This is a totally mind-blowing album and if Bushmaster had been around in 1972 I'm sure George Clinton would've been recruiting them for Funkadelic..."

— Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine, Victoria, BC, Canada

"...Instrumental interaction is a constant highlight on Live & Blue, as Brown and his bandmates mix it up and play off one another to create some dazzling musical magic..."

— PA Musician Magazine

"...Solid rocking tunes that go the distance..."

— Starr Tucker, New York Waste Magazine

"... Brown rips off some smokin'syncopated licks in his typically muscular tone...The best part of Brown's abilityis how he plays the silences. He lets the song breathe..."

— Domenick Moore, Shinbone

"...However, I can say, Gary Brown is so much more than just an imitation Hendrix, he adds enough of his own elements to make the whole disc fascinating from beginning to end..."

— RON, Rootstime Magazine, Belgium

"...expression of emotion that the true masters of their instrument can bring..."

— Blues Bunny, Blues Bunny Magazine

"...Brown is massively funky, and uncorks truckloads of energy..."

— Michael Molenda, Guitar Player

"...His guitar playing rivals the great blues and rock stars that helped establish what it means to be a true rock star..."

— Richie Frieman, PensEyeView

"...They've actually come the closest I've heard to imagining where Hendrix would have gone with his sound had he lived..."

— Sterling Koch, PA Musician Magazine

"...Drowning On Dry Land. It is Blues at it's best. Gary Brown writes the songs and he's quite good at his craft...

— Susie Mudd, Music Monthly

"...fearsome slice of electric blues featuring the exceptional guitar talents of a certain Gary Brown..."

— Blues Bunny, Blues Bunny Magazine

"...modern bluesy guitar-rock... wholly funky..."

— RON, Rootstime Magazine, Belgium

"...The Bushmaster is not satisfied withmaking blues rock songs exclusively. He dips his toes in the funk waters..."

— Mike Staugatis, Shinbone

"...Rollin blues with a pick-up full of licks, real music for great times..."

— Starr Tucker, New York Wste Magazine

"...taken the sounds of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn and updated it into this century..."

— Crazy John, HBG Online

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Play "We All Fall Down"

We All Fall Down

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Play "Victim Of Nostalgia"

Victim Of Nostalgia

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Play "40 Acres And A Mule"

40 Acres And A Mule

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Play "Cumberland Blues"

Cumberland Blues

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Play "Drowning On Dry Land"

Drowning On Dry Land

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Videos

Bushmaster live at Sharpshooters 3/23/2013

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Shows

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Fri
May 24

Ramshead - Savage
Savage-Guilford, MD, US | 10:00pm
Ramshead - Savage
Savage-Guilford, MD, US
Fri May 24 10:00pm
Details

Looking for not just a fun place to hang out and grab some good food, but also rock out to some great music? Then Ramshead in Savage Mill is the place to be Friday, May 24, 2013 - as Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown take the stage from 10pm till 1:30am. Ramshead is known for it's great selection of microbrews and it's great live music - Bushmaster is known for it's funky-blues-rock music that you can't help dance to - hope to see you there!!!
Sat
May 25

Brewer's Alley
Frederick, MD, US | 8:00pm
Brewer's Alley
Frederick, MD, US
Sat May 25 8:00pm
Details

Brewer's Alley is the place to be Saturday, May 25, 2013, as Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown will bring their own brand of funky blues rock music to the stage from 8pm till 11pm - hope to see you there, this fun outdoor event will be a night you talk about for years to come!!!
Sun
May 26

Black Walnut Winery
Sadsburyville, Chester county, PA, US | 11:00am
Black Walnut Winery
Sadsburyville, Chester county, PA, US
Sun May 26 11:00am
Details

When Sun, May 26, 11am – 6pm Where Black Walnut Winery - SADSBURYVILLE LOCATION (map) Description Join us for our third annual blues festival! Enjoy the blues on our outdoor deck and patio Saturday and Sunday - no admission fee for these afternoon concerts. Wine tasting, wine by the glass and by the bottle will be available for purchase. Bring your own wine glass for this free outdoor concert or purchase one of ours. Our blues artists on Sunday are as follows: - 11am to 2pm: Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown - 3pm to 6pm: Deb Callahan Band Forno Inferno will be on site making and selling gourmet wood-fired brick oven pizzas. Check them out at www.fornoinferno.net Feel free to bring your own blanket or chair. NO OTHER ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON SITE.
Fri
May 31

MoMo's BBQ and Grill
Harrisburg, PA, US | 8:00pm
MoMo's BBQ and Grill
Harrisburg, PA, US
Fri May 31 8:00pm
Details

BBQ, beer, and blues - Momo's is the place to be Friday, May 31, when Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown will perform their own brand of funky-blues-rock from 8pm till 11pm. This place is so cool they even have BBQ for vegetarians - hope to see you there!
Sat
Jun 1

Rams Head Roadhouse
Crownsville, MD, US | 10:00pm
Rams Head Roadhouse
Crownsville, MD, US
Sat Jun 01 10:00pm
Details

Ram's Head Roadhouse is the place to be Saturday, June 1, 2013. Gary Brown and his funky-blues-rock band Bushmaster will be performing/rocking the place from 10pm till 1:30am - hope to see you there!

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Comments

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Frownz
Hey, Great page! ..would be good if you could check out mine and the music video for my new single 'Up and Coming':http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNNCDaSYsYI ...Peace...
Glenna Glover
Great blues groove!
Paul Pritchard
Hi, just dropping in to show some support & listen to your wonderful music, all the best Paul
Rufaro
** Hoping to gain artists like these as fans of mine:) Come witness an Endangered species....a Brotha that RocKs;)
David Namerow (Cong...
WE ALL FALL DOWN... cuts cleanly and crisply through the genre clutter with a groove that slices directly to the heart with honest power. Like a sharp needle. it pierces d...
Jersey Johnny Flora
Greetings from the Jersey Shore, Love your sound , We all fall down , well done, stop by for a visit, Peace and Harmony, JJF

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Questions

Ask Bushmaster featuring Gary Brown anything...

Q: Hi guys. How are you? Would you be interested in entering Ology's online Battle Of The Bands this month? There's a $500 grand prize. All the details: http://bit.ly/Z8SFud

A: Hi Brett, thanks for asking and thanks for inviting me to participate. I will check out the competition - good looking out. :-) Gary

Asked by Brett Warner. Answered on Tue Apr 16 2013

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