GA-20 was formed by friends Pat Faherty and Matthew Stubbs in Boston, MA in 2018. The project was born out of their mutual love of heavy traditional Blues, R&B, and Rock & Roll of the late 50s and early 60s. Faherty and Stubbs bonded over legendary artists like Lazy Lester, J.B. Lenoir, Earl Hooker, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Junior Wells. Feeling a void in current music, the duo have set out to write, record and perform a modern version of this beloved art form. Joined by drummer Tim Carman in 2019, GA-20 is a trio of 2 guitars, vocals and drums. Raw, passionate and honest performance, both on stage and in the studio, is the only goal.
In June 2021 GA-20 announced the new album “GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It…You Might Like It!,” a 50th anniversary celebration of Hound Dog Taylor, to be released August 20 via Colemine Records in partnership with the legendary Alligator Records.
Stubbs has spent the past 13 years as guitarist for Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. During that time he has also backed up and toured with such Blues giants as John Hammond, James Cotton, Junior Watson and James Harman. Stubbs also leads his own original instrumental psych-rock band, 'The Antiguas.’
Hound Dog Taylor as per Wiki
“Hound Dog” Taylor was born with an abnormality: he had a sixth, very pinky finger on each hand. He grew up around Tchule and Greenwood in the Mississippi Delta, as did several other black blues musicians ( BB King , Albert King , John Lee Hooker , Muddy Waters , etc.). He made his first musical experiences playing the piano. He didn't really start playing the guitar until he was 21 years old. His musical style was strongly influenced by the then rising Elmore James . In his twenties he played in the Mississippi area, where he could be heard with Sonny Boy Williamson on the legendary radio show " King Biscuit Time ". But Taylor was expelled from Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan in 1942 because he had a relationship with a white woman.
He worked in Chicago as an electrician and other part-time jobs until the late 1950s. He also appeared as a guitarist in pompous night bars in southern Chicago. He was called “Hound Dog” because he was so fond of women and chased the steppe wolfish after them. During this time he changed his previously classic e-tuning to an energetic bottleneck style. In 1957 he finally devoted himself only to his music career.
In 1960 he met the guitarist Brewer Phillips . The two became friends and formed the band The HouseRockers . With the first singles such as Baby Is Coming Home, Take Five and Christine , however, they met with little interest outside of Chicago. In 1965, drummer Ted Harvey joined the band. With him, the HouseRockers found their typically loud, hard blues accent with Taylor's rough voice and his slide play (bottleneck) on cheap Japanese guitars as well as Phillips' bass lines, which, played on a Fender Telecaster , replaced the missing bass.
Bruce Iglauer , later Taylor's manager, got to hear the band for the first time in 1969 in Chicago's Eddie Shaw's. However, Iglauer's boss did not want to sign a record deal with Taylor. With its own financial support, Iglauer made it possible in 1971 to release Taylor's first record on the Alligator Records label . Without knowing it, he founded the now world-famous blues label. The album was a success with 9,000 records sold. The singles Give Me Back My Wig and It's Alright became the most famous songs. In 1973 the second record Natural Boogie came out on the market.
Taylor was at the height of his career. But there was a serious argument between the guitarists Phillips and Taylor, who were actually good friends. It was triggered by a derogatory remark by Phillips about Taylor's wife, Fredda. Taylor beat Phillips; as a result, he suffered injuries. Shortly thereafter, Taylor, a passionate smoker, developed fatal lung cancer . His last request was to see Phillips. He forgave Phillips, the band's second guitarist and longtime friend, for his deathbed act. Theodore Roosevelt Taylor died in December 1975.
After his death, Taylor's last alligator album, Beware of the Dog, was released in 1976 .
In 1984 he was honored with an entry into the Blues Hall of Fame for his musical achievements.
Other blues artists like Eric Clapton and Albert King were inspired by Hound Dog Taylor (e.g. for Hideaway). It is one of the classics of the electric blues. In 2003 Alligator Records released Hound Dog Taylor - A Tribute , in which Luther Allison , Sonny Landreth , Bob Margolin , Elvin Bishop , George Thorogood and Lil 'Ed and The Blues Imperials interpret Taylor's works.
About This Footage
In a cramped studio, two guitarists trade licks and vocals, conjuring up the ghosts of Chicago blues legends. The footage, shot in 2018, is a rare glimpse into the world of GA-20, a trio that's been breathing new life into traditional blues. Pat Faherty and Matthew Stubbs, the duo behind GA-20, are on a mission to revive the raw, passionate sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
At the time this footage was filmed, Hound Dog Taylor was already an established figure in Chicago's blues scene. Born with a rare physical anomaly – six fingers on each hand – Taylor grew up surrounded by the rich musical heritage of the Mississippi Delta. He began playing piano as a young man, but it wasn't until he was 21 that he picked up the guitar, influenced by the likes of Elmore James.
GA-20's tribute to Hound Dog Taylor is more than just a nod to the past; it's an attempt to recapture the spirit of those early blues pioneers. The trio's music is characterized by its raw energy and honesty, a quality that's been missing from much of contemporary music. With their debut album "GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It... You Might Like It!" set for release in August 2021, this footage serves as a tantalizing preview of what's to come.
Matthew Stubbs, the guitarist and vocalist behind GA-20, has spent years paying his dues on the blues circuit. As a sideman for Charlie Musselwhite, he's had the privilege of backing up some of the genre's most iconic figures, including John Hammond and James Cotton. His own band, The Antiguas, is an instrumental psych-rock outfit that showcases his versatility as a musician.
The footage itself is a testament to GA-20's commitment to authenticity. Shot in a cramped studio, it captures the intensity and camaraderie of the trio as they trade licks and vocals. The sound is raw and unpolished, with each guitarist bringing their own unique style to the table. It's a far cry from the slick production values that dominate much of contemporary music.
For fans of traditional blues, this footage will be a revelation. GA-20's music is a breath of fresh air, a reminder of what made the genre so compelling in the first place – its raw energy, its passion, and its honesty. As the trio launches into Hound Dog Taylor's "Try It... You Might Like It!", it's clear that they're on to something special.
The footage ends abruptly, with the trio launching into a frenetic instrumental section that showcases their chops as musicians. It's a fitting conclusion to this rare glimpse into the world of GA-20 – a testament to their commitment to authenticity and their passion for traditional blues. As the music fades out, it's clear that this is just the beginning of something special.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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