MIGHTY JOE CASTRO AND THE GRAVAMEN
Based out of Philadelphia, PA, Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen have been described as sounding like Buddy Holly, if he’d had access to a stack of effects pedals and some Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds records. Influenced by 50’s Rock and Roll and infused with post modern Easter eggs cribbed from old episodes of MTV’s 120 Minutes, Mighty Joe Castro takes a modern, lyric driven approach to songwriting while The Gravamen layer on Jesus and Mary Chain-cover-Link Wray guitar atmosphere, booming doghouse bass and swinging beats. The quartet lurks at a crossroads where Sun Records and Creation Records meet.
Formed in 2018, the band quickly released their debut EP, “Wake Up, You’re Rockin’!” that same year, with their debut full length album, “Come On Angels” following in 2020. Known for their energetic live shows, the Gravamen have shared the stage with a diverse collection of groups including The Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Heavy Heavy, Wayne Hancock, and BIg Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys
Their latest album, “Between the Lightning and the Thunder” will be released June 6, 2025. It was recorded at Miner St. Recordings and produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (Sharon Van Etten, Dr Dog, Dead Milkmen).