Purveyors of swampy blues, an amalgam of Led Zep and the Delta dwellers, The Blue Grizzly Band is a Palmy institution. You’ve either heard them, heard of them or seen one of their posters shlicked to the decaying walls between the buskers and the beggars of this dirty old town.

If you've heard them, then you know Grizz Smith (not the Wrestler), with his signature voice that sounds like the product of a pack of cigarettes a day and a bottle of whiskey, chased with a shot of gravel, after a life in the wholly forgettable abdomen of this country's northern island.

While to the uninitiated, this description might sound like a cheese grater to the ear drum, in the bogan world, this is the highest compliment, and a well deserved one.

The Home EP, the Grizz's stripped back solo effort, Smith brings his characteristic voice as an instrument, and an acoustic guitar. While all six songs could be filled out with a full band, the music of the Grizz is a showcase of his vocal talent and the versatility, showing how far he can stretch his voice. Not to say the guitar work isn't impressive, there is some great fingerpicking here, but it's the voice that makes this EP.

The music keeps to the blues, only now coloured with the more urban styles of roots and reggae, an oxymoronic pairing of lament and celebration. The most succinct parallel a pop adherent could draw would be to the John Butler Trio, with their one popular song Zebra, minus two of the members. Like that one uncle that brings their guitar to a Kiwi summer picnic, only with the benefit of subtle, yet effective mastering and a splash of creative song writing, instead of the same three Marley songs.

Except the Alice in Chains stained album closer, You're Free. That song is in a league of its own, in song writing, in style, in emotional delivery. Dark, with a simmering moodiness and some unusual time signatures, it's the stand out track for me, and for those that don't see the appeal of Roots music, this is the go to track.

This is music I want to hear more of, so support the Grizz; buy the album. You can find it on Bandcamp. Not a Palmy local? I envy you, on one hand, yet pity you for not hearing the Blue Grizzly Band. Check them out on their Bandcamp.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

• 
  Goodshirt @ Festival of Lights - Pukekura Park, New Plymouth - 21/12/2024
• 
  The Slacks @ Festival of Lights - Pukekura Park, New Plymouth - 21/12/2024
• 
  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
• 
  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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