Gringos Locos - Gringos Locos (Reissue) (1987/2003)

A Finnish quintet of Richard Johnson (vocals), Ben Granfelt (guitar), Muddy (guitar), Pete Asiala (bass) and Miri Miettinen (drums), Gringos Locos formed in the mid-80s and took their chief inspiration from the southern boogie of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Georgia Satellites. When their debut album emerged for Phonogram Records in 1987, many were surprised by the authenticity of the sound, given the group’s geographical origins. The resultant record also caused a stir in the USA, and Lynyrd Skynyrd producer Tom Dowd was impressed enough to offer to produce the follow-up collection. Punch Drunk was released via a new contract with Atlantic Records, and provided further evidence of a group capable of offering accessible, energized interpretations of a foreign sound.