Andy Gabbard

Originating from a blend of hard rock, psychedelia, '60s garage rock, and energetic pop, Andy Gabbard has established himself as a key presence across the Southwestern Ohio music community. He recorded and toured extensively alongside Thee Shams and Buffalo Killers before beginning his solo work in 2015. Born February 11, 1986, in Middletown, Ohio, he first picked up guitar at age eight, absorbing Neil Young songs directly from his father. With both his dad and older brothers active in bands, the aspiring musician logged countless hours inside their basement rehearsal room, developing proficiency on guitar, bass, and drums. Although he performed with several local groups while still in high school, professional opportunities arrived in 2004 when brother Zachary Gabbard brought him into Thee Shams, a Stones-inspired garage rock outfit. He joined in time to play on the band's second album, Please Yourself, issued the same year by Fat Possum. After extensive touring, the group released its third album, Sign the Line, on Shake It Records in late 2005, then chose to pursue a fresh creative direction. In 2006 the Gabbard brothers and drummer Joey Sebaali re-formed Thee Shams as Buffalo Killers, a power trio equally devoted to hard rock, psychedelia, and boogie. Bomp Records released the self-titled debut album that year and went on to issue five additional albums plus one EP between 2008 and 2014. Despite Buffalo Killers' demanding tour and recording schedule, Gabbard still developed a solo project rooted in his customary songwriting practice of mapping out material on a four-track while playing every instrument himself. For his debut solo album, Fluff, he wrote all the songs alone, performed every instrumental part, and tracked the entire record in a single twelve-hour session. Bomp released Fluff in spring 2015.