THE INSOMNIACS "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU" Source: Blue Suede News Date: 04/2009 Writer: Marc Bristol

We have the advance promo of the new CD from the Insomniacs, and what I hear is the same band I liked immediately when I heard them at the Highway 99 Club. They’ve got help from some heavy hitters like Al Blake & Mitch Kashmar (harp on “Lonesome” and “Hoodoo Man Blues” respectively), Joel Paterson (steel guitar on “Broke And Lonely”), and Jeff Turmes (tenor sax on 4 tracks and baritone on 1). But what shines is the raw talent and dedication to these vintage styles. Vyasa reminds me a little of Deke Dickerson – not in the styles he’s playing so much as sheer talent level and dedication to vintage music styles in a young guy. The rest of the band is right there with him on that! Besides the Junior Wells cover they also do Little Richard’s “Directly From My Heart To You,” and the Five Royales “Baby Don’t Do It” along with 10 originals (I think, the advance doesn’t have writer credits). A variety of grooves are felt, one song called “Angry Surfer” has a bit of a ‘60s “What’d I Say” feel and Twist groove. “She Can Talk” seems like it might be a remnant of the Rockabilly roots Dean spoke of in our interview. They have a slow Blues in “Description Blues.” Some groups have original songs made from familiar concepts in the Blues, but lacking in any real personal investment, but I think Vyasa has actually lived in these stories. The instrumentals “Root Beer Float” & “Insomniacs Boogie” may be group efforts on the composition – featuring some excellent piano from Alex, who of course is making his presence felt most soulfully all through this new disc, both on piano and organ. I’m just terrifically impressed with these guys, and look forward to any chance to see them live again, and for that matter to anything that comes down the pike in the way of future recordings!