Mack Hooligan-Hooligan Blues; self-released via Bandcamp, 2025

 

Mack Hooligan is a guy that Disaster Amnesiac has had the pleasure of speaking with a few times: initially at Tucson's fantastic Che's Lounge and then again after the screening of the Jeff Buckley film (this one is worth seeing for the last twenty five or so minutes, during which a solo set from the late great crooner in Memphis is shown). Mack has released an EP length set recently, Hooligan Blues. Its material originated three years ago and then reemerged this year as Hooligan revisited it and found lots of satisfying sounds therein, enough to justify presenting it publicly. Hooligan starts off with What I Got, a languid blue lament from a man with lots of stuff and people and insights but he's still missing out on some certain special someone. The guitar solo features some fine cutting tones that are well wrapped in a touch of fuzz; it trades measures with really skillful harmonica chops. Wake Up Call From Jesus is essentially a stoner's warning to straighten up and fly right. If you're gonna give out an important address while high on the Sativa, you'll probably want to double check it, as Mack Hooligan reminds us. Tasteful lap steel brightens this admonitory ode and the pumping drumming moves it efficiently. Both of those instruments are played by Mack by the way. On Disappointment the listener is immediately dropped into the tune's chorus before being told about a heartbreaking situation between lovers. Hooligan was high but then got pulled down by some irresistible person and he's feeling it major. Situations come and go and we feel their echoes. Echoing around the head is a fine guitar solo that connects to early Rhythm & Blues, at least this here head. The disappointed spirit can be lifted by that sort of thing as Mack surely knows. A toe tappin' ditty that brings to Disaster Amnesiac's mind the best of the 1970's Pop Rock arrives next on Probably Not. It feels like a dis song to me; whomever was hatin' on Hooligan will probably have to look elsewhere for a shoulder to cry on, and it sounds as if that's warranted. Not everyone clicks with everyone else that's for sure. Hooligan Blues concludes with a live band rendition of The Kitchen Sink, recorded in Philadelphia at a joint called The Grape Room. It's a romping electric Blues number from a nice and greasy rhythm section, enhanced by the sound of clanking beer bottles and audience chatter. These elements do not deter from its vibes and this is especially true of the turnaround riff. Mack goes off on a wild guitar solo and if you can't feel it well that's your problem and not mine. It rocks in a live band sort of way which is something that not even all live bands can really do these days. Something tells me that the guys in Mack & the Hooligans are hardened vets of the music wars. And then Mack rips out another guitar blast and I'm smiling wide. Mack Hooligan, with an assist from John Faye has put out a fine, Roots Rock/Blues Rock/just generally rockin' release with Hooligan Blues. Give it a listen and some love. The guy's earned that consideration.