It’s safe to say that when a band is formed to cover up a college kid’s half-baked plan, it usually doesn’t last. Dirty Guv’nahs are the exception, forming in 2006 when bassist Justin Haskins volunteered his nonexistent group for a benefit. Between roommates and random connections, the fictional band became real enough to rehearse. During that first performance, they discovered they were actually pretty good. So good, in fact, they were asked to play another gig, which led to many more, as well as a pair of D.I.Y. recordings. A big following developed in their hometown, but soon The Dirty Guv’nahs would go from hobbyists dazzling fans in Knoxville to playing the big-time Bonnaroo festival.
Producer Justin Guip got word of the Guvs’ Bonnaroo set and invited them to record at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. The rootsy Rock swagger and gritty soul of the album, Youth Is In Our Blood, drew comparisons to old Rolling Stones, early Black Crowes and The Avett Brothers and the band reached a new level of “realness,” touring and earning fans across the country ever since.
THE DIRTY GUV'NAHS plays Sunday, March 4 at 20th Century Theater with guests Josh Eagle and the Harvest City. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.