The band, Gravel Mouth has evolved in both personnel and approach since its December 2010 founding

The members of Gravelmouth are quick to discourage the use of the term “genre” to enter into a discussion about their music,so maybe “sensibility” is a better place to start. They have fashioned a synergistic worldview with their sound and lyrical approach that is equal parts wicked humor, funk, eclectic borrowing from various genres, and just a touch of metal abrasiveness in moments when they really want to drive a point home.

Article written by Barney Quick,
Photos by Phierce Photography by Keith Griner.
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The band has evolved in both personnel and approach since its December 2010 founding, but the original vision of lead vocalist and guitarist Doug Talley and guitarist Mike Carmer laid a foundation on which bassist Jason Denmore, and drummer Daron White have helped craft a musical take on life that fills any room in Central Indiana where they’re gigging with an unmistakable Gravelmouth vibe.

The original idea was to form an acoustic trio. What changed the plan was Carmer’s departure from his previous ensemble. “He came straight from a practice with his old band to my house,” says Talley.

A few rehearsals solidified the then-current line-up, but the band still didn’t have anything like a viable set list. That was the status when the group’s drummer at the time booked a show at 4th Street Bar and Grill in downtown Columbus, Indiana. “We had twenty minutes’ worth of material,” says Talley. “We had no choice but to write.” They composed six songs in six weeks.

Densmore, a long-time veteran of the Columbus-area scene and a respected music instructor from whom Talley was taking lessons, came to hear them. One aspect of the evening’s performance made an impression on him. “I didn’t join because they were good,” he says, to the snorts and chuckles of the other members who acknowledge as much. “I joined because the place was packed.”

“Believe it or not, for all the bands I’m a fan of, most of my inspiration comes from Jason,” says Talley. “I would find little melodies in stuff he’d have me work on each week, which led to some songs.”

With the addition of White as the new drummer, the current line-up was complete. It appears to have been one of those fortuitous moments all bands hope to experience. They formed a group sensibility that encompassed aspects of each of their approaches, but which resulted in something greater than the sum of the parts.

“If you play with a group of people, it’s a collective,” observes Densmore. “You can’t just say, ‘Oh, well, I like this and I’m going to shove it right up your ass.’”

Gravelmouth’s sensibility has wide appeal. “I feel as comfortable playing a hippie festival as I do some shit-hole bar, or a pub down the street full of old people,” says Talley. “Our real Internet demographic is pretty wide, with an age range from 18 to 50.”

When asked about some of the favorites among the venues they’ve played so far, Ziggies gets mentioned, as does The Alley, the frequently-blocked-off area between Bistro 310 and Powerhouse Brewing Company on 4th Street in downtown Columbus. “I like places where there’s no cover,” says Talley. “I feel like the bar is paying us to get people in there, and the people shouldn’t have to pay.”

They have three main residences on the web: Reverb Nation, Facebook and their own site, Gravelmouth.net. It’s been an effective marketing strategy for the band.

They are aware that factors such as economics, the life circumstances of their fans, and the proliferation of talented musical acts in the Columbus area make it a challenge to stand out and attract a dedicated base.

As Densmore puts it, “You have a lot of options for live music. “We’re grateful when people choose Gravelmouth.”

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