Gypsyhawk
(supporting The Sword)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Being a fan of Gypsyhawk for a couple of years now, I had waited as patiently as I could to finally get to see one of my favorite bands live for the first time. After numerous failed attempts, Gypsyhawk finally graced Atlanta, GA with their presence as direct support for The Sword. The best way I can describe Gypsyhawk is that they are one of those bands that are just meant to be. You know what I’m talking about. Gypsyhawk is the kind of band you hear and right away you just know that they were destined to make music together, hit the road, and put on a top notch rock n’ roll performance. Well, Gypsyhawk proved that to me and then some the night before Thanksgiving here in Atlanta.
Gypsyhawk took the stage before a pretty hipster looking crowd but to my surprise I saw a few rabid Gypsyhawk fans pressed up front showing their love. Lead singer/bassist Eric Harris stepped up to the mic and said “This is for everyone who has to work tomorrow!” and the band slammed right into “Overloaded” from their latest album “Revelry and Resilience.” Right away I could feel the smile on my face about to rip my head open. Not only was I so pumped to see them but I was so pumped to see them playing and performing as great as I had hoped they would. I looked around and could see the crowd’s nods of approval slowly turn into pumping fists and flying horns as Gypsyhawk just floored through their set.
After a few yells for their latest single “The Hedgeking” Andrew Packer stepped up and unleashed that powerhouse opening riff while guitarist Erik (Ron Houser) Kluiber slid in those sweet harmony riffs to give it their signature nod to Thin Lizzy. Eric Harris led his fellow hawks through a set made up of songs from both their latest album Revelry and Resilience and their debut Patience and Perseverance such as “Gypsyhawk”, “Eyes of Ibad”, and Harris’ ode to the state of Ohio “1356.” The band than had a bit of fun as they slid right into the Ram Jam classic “Black Betty” which I’m sure was way over this crowds head that it was a classic piece of rock n’ roll. Nonetheless, at this point Gypsyhawk had staked their claim and closed things out with “Commander of the High Forest” with a crowd raising drum solo closing courtesy of Ian Brown left a sea of melted face in their wake.
As Gypsyhawk bid everyone good night it was all I could do to not yell for them to keep playing. While I would’ve loved to have seen a longer set, Gypsyhawk did more in 40 minutes than most bands do in two hours. Watching Gypsyhawk live made me see that they are truly naturals and masters of owning a stage. Gypsyhawk may have been the opening act but they performed with all of the charisma and confidence that far exceeded the headliners. For 40 minutes, this was Gypsyhawk with, well, whoever else was playing that night. These guys owned that stage and the night.
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