WILLIAM F. GIBBS, JR. : electric and acoustic guitars, piano, harmonica, vocals
"The Federalist", KEVIN HEUER: marching band drums, kit, percussion, groove, soul and wisdom.
Click here to purchase the My Fellow Sophisticates CD
by William F. Gibbs from Old Man Records.
Buy My Fellow Sophisticates on iTunes
Influences
The world at large, music at large, faith, hope, love, joy, fear, hate, sorrow, kindness, beauty, pain, death, life, romance, damnation, salvation, sanctification, sacrifice, grace, mercy, peace, justice, injustice, obedience, disobedience, wisdom, folly, conformity, non-conformity, community, individuality, my wife, overcast days, rain, Western North Carolina, my family, alcohol, sobriety, The Fall, The Gospel, literature, film. John Lomax, Alan Lomax, Leadbelly, Jelly Roll Morton, Robert Johnson, Glen Miller, "Satchmo", Billie Holiday, Woodie Guthrie, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, John Fahey, The Temptations, Etta James, The Muscle Shoals House Rhythm Section, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zepplin, Tom Waits, Nick Drake, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, U2, David Bowie, The Clash, The Police, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, David Wilcox, John Gorka, Rich Mullins, Martin Sexton, M. Ward, Amos Lee, Andrew Bird, The Arcade Fire, Beck, Ben Folds, Cat Power, Matthew Ryan, David Mead, Elliott Smith, Jon Brion, Matt Morris, Richard Swift, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, The White Stripes, Wilco, and countless others that I am sure have played a part be it unknown and unheard.
"A solid debut. Gibbs has clear talent as a songwriter and a unique voice"
-Pitchfork Media
"The hooks come with baroque ornamentation on this debut that was original and eclectic enough to cut through the dozens of singer/songwriters that come across my desk."
- Paste Magazine
"It’s obvious that Gibbs has done his homework, and probably has a mountain of ancient LPs that he plays over and over in the wee hours of the morning, but the production and arrangements keep the tunes from being nostalgic exercises or clever recreations of blasts from the past. Every time you think you know where a tune is going, Gibbs and his collaborators change direction just enough to keep you off balance and pleasantly surprised."
- Crawdaddy!
"The variety of genres spanned and the skill of executing such a diverse disc, set Gibbs apart from other singer/songwriters today."
-Pop Matters
"My Fellow Sophisticates is a very mature album...without a doubt, some of the most beautiful melody lines we have heard this year. Don't expect a quick fix here. Sophisticates takes a few spins to sink in. But, if you're like us, about five or ten spins later...you will be addicted to this album. Recommended. (Rating: 5++/6)"
- Babysue
"the Alabama native proves he's undoubtedly talented- in the way he’d probably still figure out how to churn out music if his palms were tied behind his back...the guys got a sickly eclectic musical range...Get your groove on. His album, a veritable tour de force"
-RCRDLBL.com
"William F. Gibbs is melting together garage music sounds with the great gospel spirit to create an interesting soundtrack for the neo-religious/spiritual groups...William has created a very specific sound and, by the title, it looks like he dedicated it to folks who share his thirst for this sound"
- Urb Magazine
"I’ll get this out of the way . . . buy this album. You won’t regret it, unless you’re the type of person who just can’t stand really good music...This guy is no amateur trying to macbook his way to stardom, he’s the real deal...this is the kind of album that I was hoping to find when I started working for Greenville Scene"
- Greenville Scene
"It's a shame most CDs come with stickers that are jammed to the gunnels with RIYL and hyperbole laced descriptions...for a poor fella like William F. Gibbs it really pigeon holes a creative artist...Gibbs song writing is really more soulful and genre bending than those listed on his one-sheet...more that he shouldn't simply be lumped into the masses that try to emulate them."
- Herohill
Im sad you and danielle cant make the wedding... but Im glad that you'll have a new little one to celebrate instead. I got on here to find a show that Tony and I can come to... hopefully soon. I am so proud of you and excited for the awesome reviews I see... I miss you guys!!
I love how I ignore my computer for weeks and then when I come to your page I see that I missed your Atlanta show by less than 24 hours. How lame of me, hope to see you soon brother
Was hoping to make it to Music in the Woods Sat. your page says 2pm but info I've found on the Venue says 6-9pm? Don't want to show up at the wrong time.
thanks so much for the add! I saw you playing at Artisphere with my brother's drum teacher and I love love love your music! you remind me a smidge of Langhorne Slim. - lucy (The Nordlingers)
What is myspace good for if we don't talk to our friends?! We're The Central Powers from Las Vegas We dig on talking to you guys! So, with that being said...how's life?
I kinda figured... it's a long trek, and probably a little cost-prohibitive. Well, if there's anything I can do to help put together a show out here on the west coast, please let me know. I love what you're doing, and would love to hear it live! I'll hang posters, look into venues, whatever.
