Formed in Dublin, the name Mongrel State derives from the fact that its four members are from different countries. They are Darren Flynn (bass, Ireland), Claudio Mercante (guitar, Italy), Guillermo Gonzalez Rodriguez (keyboards, guitar, percussion, Spain) and Sebastian Jezzi (drums, Argentina). All are also credited as singers but Flynn takes most of lead vocals.
What they have in common is "a shared love for stomping tunes, harmonies and cinematic sounds". The country, western and latin cross-bred sound might, at a push, be dubbed Americana but they are best considered as a musical hybrid in which rough and ready blues rock rubs shoulders with honky tonk pianos and occasional New Orleans rhythms.
This debut album, produced by Gavin Glass, originally had an Irish-only release in 2016 but is now unleashed to the rest of the world. It opens with the lively rockabilly of Monster and ends with the moodily downbeat six minute refrain of Rainy Day.
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The rowdy Zombies On The Highway stands as an effective calling card and when the foursome are not escaping the undead they are on the constant lookout for live girls.
It's a pretty undisciplined ten song collection but has a ragged charm that will appeal to urban cowboys riding down the dusty highways of Ireland, Italy, Spain or Argentina.
Mongrel State's website
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