Artist description Heavy blues rock with attitude. Excellent guitar playing and songs.

Music Style Hard Rock Blues

Musical Influences ZZ TOP, Robin Trower, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Skynyrd

Similar Artists Metal versions of ZZ TOP, Robin Trower, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Skynyrd

Artist History Recently formed. Southern Gentlemen's first Cd "Exotic Dancer Blues" will be released in 2000!

Group Members David T. Chastain-Guitar and vocalKevin Kekes-BassDennis Lesh-Drums

Instruments Guitar, bass and drums

Albums EXOTIC DANCER BLUES

Press Reviews Guitar World:A hot-clockin' power-trio stance for a record of raw blues-metal, landing in a sweet spot among legends like Colin James, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Frank Marino, AC/DC and ZZ Top.Guitar One:A raucous mix of 80s metal sound with a 70s classic rock vibe. Hits (Rich Ortega):Southern Gents burst upon the Rock scene with a debut effort which is nothing short of spectacular. They reinvent the electric blues with a heavier, groovier feel to it.Hit Parader: With a sound that recalls the halcyon days of everyone from Jimi Hendrix to ZZ Top, the band's first album, Exotic Dancer Blues, is a treat for anyone who fondly recalls that glorious period in rock history. Martin Popoff (Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles):“Strafing Axes, grinding blues, very electric metal, stamped with Chastain’s seal of quality.”Cincinnati City Beat:"The Gentlemen's sound takes on southern rock and blues, but gives it a more progressive slant, in much the same way Hendrix and Clapton reconstructed Blues in the 60s."Larry Nager (Cincinnati Enquirer):"His most accessible and satisfying Cd with enough fretboard fireworks to keep his audience happy."CD Services Online (UK):Oh boy - you have just GOT to hear this - it's fantastic!!!!…possibly THE finest electric blues album of the last ten years, with comparisons to and even eclipsing the best that the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan/Kenny Wayne Shepherd have to offer, and no mistake - this is AMAZING.Michael Knight (Guitar 2001):This is a way cool album from the first song with its' Hendrixian 7/9 chords to the last with its' heavy footed wah chops.Eric Steiner (Cosmik Blues):I'd put Southern Gentlemen's debut, Exotic Dancer Blues, near the top of mylist--particularly for the Gentlemen's hard-driving blues. David T.Chastain's howlingly-gritty vocals and straight-ahead guitar work shine.The Glass Eye (Toledo):"Throw on a track like "Too Hot For Love," "Back Door Woman," or "Give Me Your Lust" then grab your old lady and get it on!"Richard Paton (The Blade):"The band packs the disc with enough riffing and spirited soloing to please any blues rock fan."KNAC.COM:The debut album from this blues-based rock band actually caused smoke to leap outta my car's CD player, forcing me to stop my Honda on the freeway, jump out and look for a fire under my hood. Yep, it's that good.Cincinnati Post:"Chastain's guitar work is stellar as ever, even as he reveals a more gutsy and slowed-down sound."Ethan Nahte (Links Magazine):If you're a fan of the precision machine-gun guitar work of David Chastain, you're in for a delight and a surprise. David actually does a really good job singing the blues. If you dig Robin Trower or Hendrix, you'll dig this disc.ABOUT.COM(Heavy Metal):"David T. Chastain proves once again that he is a versatile musical visionary. …a Classic Rock inspired, bluesy but heavy collection of goodtime beer drinking songs."Kevin Ryan (houseofshred.com):Southern Gentlemen's Exotic Dancer Blues is a solid collection of songs ideal for the 70's Southern/Blues Rock fan or anyone who loves music suitable for, well, exotic dancing.Rock & Read Magazine:Chastain never ceases to amaze me with his diversity and exceptional talent.Rock And A Hard Place Online:"…good old fashioned Rock n' Blues. At times it reminds me of early Whitesnake, but most of it is more traditional blues styles…Classic Rock fans will LOVE this CD, it's filled with hooks and grooves … Skynyrd comesto mind… It's heavy enough to keep your average Metal head interested, yet Bluesy enough to give the Classic rockers something new to chew on."Paul Hanson (Pandemonium/Icon):Talented guitarist David T. Chastain leads this trio through 13 tracks of the blues. Chastain's guitar work takes center stage and it is stellar, changing moods within songs and playing emotionally charged solos.Rick Maloney (Metal Rules)If you like blues rock then don’t miss this CD. Southern Gentlemen have created a timeless collection of bluesy hard rock. David Chastain must also be commended for his vocal work. He has the perfect voice for this type of music as it is deep and rich. Who knew that he had this hidden talent?Inside Connection:Great guitar work here. Southern blues influence backed by groove-oriented songs.amazon.com:For those whose tastes run from ZZ Top to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Robin Trower, with splashes of Jimi Hendrix here and there, this unabashed bag of 1970s power blues rock will be lots of fun.Dr. Dave (Seismic Radio)"The cd not only has a very cool bluesy, hard rocking sound to it, but with such a high class amount of substance and style that is what our listeners keep raving about. Our listeners can't get enough of Chastain, and this appears to be exactly what they were looking for! Great cdMUEN Online:4-Stars "WOW!…genuine professional (70s rock) style blues playing done with a variation of influences ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Hendrix, Robin Trower, to Deep Purple and ZZ Top…straight from the heart..."listen.com:Southern Gentlemen are unreformed and unrepentant loyalists to the Southern/Blues Rock cause. Led by David T. Chastain's swaggering riffs and drier-than-cured-tobacco voice, this band storms the ramparts of rock and roll and emerges victorious. Even "damn Yankees" won't be able to resist this groove. ABOUT.COM(Guitar):The music throughout Exotic Dancer Blues showcases leader David T.Chastain's hard-edged guitar work. It's obvious that Chastain has shredder chops, yet he elects to play bluesy, gritty solos that really work well within the style of the tunes.Marco Barbieri (Ill Literature):While I'm not a fan of the blues, or even folk like Stevie Ray Vaughn or George Thoroughgood, there is some stuff here that I can appreciate.HeavyHarmonies.com:Let's see... how do I describe this album? Hmm... How about Bad Company meets Jimi Hendrix meets Stevie Ray Vaughn? The disc has a very "classic rock" feel, as if the band were back in the 1970s. Unlike most blues that I've encountered, this has a nice crisp harder edge to it. I also must say that this disc really shines instrumentally! It's got grooves and hooks all over the place. The guitarwork is top-notch and the band is tight! If you like blues with a heavier edge, this is the disc for you!80smetal.com:This is down & dirty, bluesy hard rock that has some totally killer lead guitar work.  Chastain has to be one of the most underrated U.S.guitarists..Killer axework!  Highly, highly recommended!!  Dan McAvinchey (Guitar9.com):"A swaggering, sweltering blues release, with virtuosic guitar hero David T. Chastain pumping out speaker-shaking solos while delivering dark-hued, gritty vocals. Grab yourself a table near the stage and settle in for an hour's worth of grinding, libido-enhancing entertainment."Michael Chlasciak (Aquarian)"This album is a great ride featuring solid songwriting, powerful performances from the band and well-delivered vocals from Chastain himself."Gary Horn (XSTAR RADIO NETWORK) (Total of 7 stations):SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN bring back the good 'ol days of blues based rock-n-roll.The debut offering also is heavy enough to keep Chastain's core fans satisfied as well.Todd Smith (The Cutting Edge):I've been waiting a long time for this and it is fantastic!Brenda Sumner (Talk of the Town)"Guitar God, David T. Chastian and his Southern Gentlemen take the Blues to a new sexual level with Exotic Dancer Blues. David's unexpected smooth vocals makes you want to be the "Exotic Dancer" he is singing about!"Geno (Generations Underground, heavyrock.com):I absolutely love the direction of this heavy-guitar blues music of the Southern Gentlemen. Nobody makes this style of heavy rock anymore!Bruce Campbell (Hard Radio):The CD is totally cool!! The singing impressed me just as much. Not every guitar player, especially a really good one, can pull that off. That CD is an eye opener for sure.Laurent Bocquet (The French Connection):I must admit that I'm completely astonished by this album. I couldn't imagine that it sounds so true, just coming from the heart.

Location Tyrone, GA - USA

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