In most of these types of bands the horn section is primarily concerned with emphasizing the rhythm. Very rarely are you going to hear a trumpet or trombone solo in a traditional folk band. That's not the case here as both Jones and Pierzchalski take their turns playing leads. What's really impressive is how nothing they, or any member of the band for that matter, do sounds out of place. What could descend into a chaotic mashup in the hands of less proficient musicians achieves the perfect balance of sounding like anarchy, while actually being tightly arranged. They not only play the music of society's outsiders, but they manage to imbibe it with outsider spirit by adding their own elements to a traditional sound.
VulgarGrad are not your typical folk group playing "ethnic" music. Their sources of inspiration aren't quaint costumes and homespun melodies. It's the sound of an empty shot glass of vodka being slammed on a table, whispered deals in a back room, prison doors locking, and the raucous laughter of all night bars. Their music comes from a world of sly winks, knives in the back, and whorehouse bands. It's down and dirty and some of the best fun you'll have listening to music. Just don't turn your back on it.
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