Review: Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen ‘IV’

Review: Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen ‘IV’

By Jim Hynes

Wilkes-Barre, PA guitarist and singer-songwriter Dustin Douglas continues his ascension to the national stage with ‘IV’, his second release on MoMojo Records, the follow-up to Black Leather Blues, and as the title implies, his fourth overall. Ironically, and perhaps not coincidentally, that is the same title of one of Led Zeppelin’s albums. It’s no surprise that Jimmy Page is one of Douglas’s guitar heroes. His band, Dustin Douglas & the Electric Gentlemen (DDEG), is a power trio with a sound that blends the era of power trios such as Hendrix and Cream with metal acts such as Rage Against the Machine and the spirit of traditional blues. Yet, most would describe their ‘Marshall at 11’ sound as more rock n’ roll. Douglas has long been working with bassist Matt “The Dane” Gabriel and drummer Tommy Smallcomb, also from Wilkes-Barre.

Douglas says, “’IV’ is an album inspired by letting go of any musical chains. I had no intention of following any genre restraints or restrictions. I wanted to take as many chances as possible.”

Not surprisingly, the band has accumulated numerous nominations and awards in the area over the last few years. Dustin Douglas is one of those natural born rockers with a charismatic stage presence. As with the previous release, Douglas penned all nine songs. ‘IV’ was recorded at Eight Days a Week Studios in Northumberland, PA by Paul Smith (Badlees), who engineered and co-produced the album with Douglas. It was mixed and mastered by Nick Coyle (Lifer, Drama Club, Death Valley Dreams).

From the opening ear-splitting riffs, and Douglas’s Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)-like vocals, the trio’s runaway freight train approach is on full display with the opening track, “Long Gone.” It sets the stage for the band’s visceral but engaging blues rock. The slashing single “Damage” follows with the burning guitar as unrelenting as these lyrics- “There’s no reason to this rhyme/There’s no turning back this time/From the damage that is done.”

The second single, “Dangerous Game,” with Paul Smith’s B3 swirling behind the high octane guitar, is the essence of Douglas’s love for hard edged rock ‘n roll, as he cites the influences of AC/DC and The Cult when speaking about the song. Another single “Drunk and Alone” finds Douglas’s guitar soaring, belying the stark video that pictures the protagonist in a room akin to a jail cell, sitting on a wooden chair, bottle in hand.

“Satisfied” plays to a Stones-like riff, with Douglas wall-shattering guitar behind his male braggadocio lyrics, proclaiming no matter what, he will keep her satisfied. “Please and Thank You” is the closest we get to a stomping blues, with Douglas adding a thunderous blues-rock sheen while longtime collaborator Bret Alexander blows his blues harp.

In an album filled with blistering guitar riffs and solos, the three minutes of “Every Dog Has His Day” is one of the most potent examples of Douglas’s guitar prowess. Following the defiant “Give It to Me Straight,” capping an album of mostly three and four-minute songs, is the extensive closer, “Missin’ You.” Cutting loose, Douglas’s guitar and this trio along with Smith, eviscerate boundaries with fine-tuned skill.

Brace yourself. There is no sugar coating and you won’t find the slimmest taste of honey on the album. This is blues-rock, 21st Century style, an exhilarating ride, delivered by one of today’s fastest rising power trios, Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen.

Watch “Damage”