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