Bozeman’s Hooligans band has been rocking the northern Rockies with their Grateful Dead-influenced sound for over two decades, therefore Hooligans is Bozeman’s longest running roots rock/jam band. Initially influenced by the music of the San Francisco scene as well as early folk, blues and great rock’n’roll, Rich Robiscoe, Tom Garnsey and Bob Britten began gigging around Bozeman in 1992. Recently, the band has been honing their act and their sound since legendary keyboardist Bill Payne began sitting in a few years back, and in the fall of 2013, they released their first CD, Beggars and Thieves.

“The Hooligans have been my band away from Little Feat for a few years now,” said Payne. “They have been playing music in one configuration or another for twenty-five years. I met Tom Garnsey (one of the band’s founding members) a few years ago in Bozeman…I’m always amazed at how things develop from a simple introduction. And from that hello and discussion a friendship between my family and his began to take place, along with an eventual invite to sit in with his band. At one point I asked if they had recorded anything. The answer was no. Tom said they were finally thinking about doing just that, though. I was pleased to be asked to help.”

Produced by Payne and Garnsey, the nine tracks on Beggars and Thieves were recorded and engineered by Grammy Award winner Cornell “Doc” Wiley of Bozeman. Another multiple Grammy Award winner, Gavin Lurssen, did the mastering for the recording. Initial recording for Beggars and Thieves was completed over a two-week period in an 1870s-era log house on the Yellowstone River in Montana’s beautiful Paradise Valley.

“The Album (Beggars and Thieves) was a treat to work on,” said Payne, a seasoned musician and songwriter in his own right–Payne brings over four decades of performance, production, and recording skills to the fore. “A band finding themselves is how I would describe it. Over the course of the recordings they became believers in themselves, as a band and as musicians. I am proud to have been a part of that transformation.”

The Hooligans include Payne (vocals and keyboards), Garnsey (vocals and guitars), Rich Robiscoe (bass guitar), Bob Britten (vocals and electric guitar), Betsy Wise (vocals), Tom Murphy (vocals and mandolin), and Ron Craighead (vocals and drums). The addition of Murphy and Payne to the the core Hooligans band broadens both their range and appeal. The record consists of many moods and styles. Beggars and Thieves straddles several genres, from blues and rock to reggae, folk and Americana.

“I was in for a pleasant surprise during the making of the record,” said Payne. “I learned, almost by accident, that Tom Garnsey is a very fine lyricist. We wound up writing two songs for Beggars and Thieves: “If I Had A Mind To” and “Devil In Your Smile.” The CD also features “7th Daughter,” co-written by Payne and lyricist Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead. Another Garnsey tune “Shoot the Moon,” and two other songs written by Hooligan Bob Britten (“Mr. Tight”) and late Hooligans guitarist David Troy (“One Song”), also showcase the band’s writing talent. The Hooligans rendition of the Appalachian folk ballad “Katy Cruel,” and carefully chosen covers by Richard Thompson and Natalie Merchant, round out the offerings on Beggars and Thieves.
“The Hooligans voice is strong throughout,” said Payne. “Tom’s liner notes are excellent and give a thorough list of everyone and the songs, along with some very special guests that joined them.” Guest musicians on the recording include Tim O’Brien on fiddle, reggae artist Pato Banton on vocals, Alison Garnsey on backing vocals, Jimmy Lange on keyboards, and Spencer Bohren of New Orleans on the lap steel guitar.
“I want you to know that the Hooligans are the real deal, they are friends of mine, and that I’m proud to have played, written, and participated in their first endeavor,” Payne said. “I’m a band player at heart and they have made me feel at home and a part of the band.”

Garnsey said that the band plans a CD release party on January 16, upstairs at the Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery in downtown Bozeman. Beggars and Thieves is available for purchase at Cactus Records in Bozeman, Rockin’ Rudy’s in Missoula, and online at www.hooligans.com, iTunes, and Amazon.com.

Hooligans have experienced the longevity of a successful touring act, and over the decades there has been countless opportunities for Hooligans to share the stage with some of the finest touring acts of this generation including: The Band, Burning Spear, The Wailers, Michael Franti, Rodney Crowell, Dave Mason, String Cheese Incident, Widespread Panic, Inner Circle, Alabama Shakes, Sonny Landreth, JJ Cale, Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna, Charlie Musselwhite, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Toots and the Maytals, Leftover Salmon, Black Uhuru, David Bromberg just to name a few!

Be sure to keep your ears listening to KGLT and your eyes scanning Bozeman Magazine for updates on the CD release party for Beggars and Theives. For a band that has endured for almost three decades their first CD Release party is sure to be a time to remember, for both the band and everyone who is in attendance.

Pat Hill is a Freelance Writer from Bozeman.