Gary Hiland Trio story was first published in the 4/2019 issue of Big Beat Magazine. Gary alias Kari Kunnas also made it to the cover of the magazine as the story covered all of his activities in the Finnish and international rockin' scene.


GARY HILAND TRIO-CATCH ME
Moondog Music – MOONCD2603 [2026]

There are two ways to approach Rockabilly and Rock’n’Roll. Both have their merits and are equally valid, although they are radically different. The first is to follow the path laid out by the genre’s illustrious creators and try, within those rules, to contribute one’s own, more or less modest, contribution. The second, more perilous, is to say, “Come on, old man, let’s see what you’ve got!” and take music that’s over 70 years old as a starting point to push the boundaries and create something new. Fewer people take this path because it’s easier to go off the rails (to take the metaphor to its logical conclusion). Among the resounding successes of this type of approach are, of course, the Stray Cats, notably with the superb Choo Choo Hot Fish, or the Black Crabs, to name just two examples. It is this second option that the Gary Hiland Trio has chosen. The group consists of Gary ‘Kari Kunnas’ Hiland on vocals and guitar, Tommy Dahlstrom on drums, and Janne Anttonen on double bass. They have previously played in the Hi Fly Rangers, Daryl Haywood Combo, Maibell and the Misfire, the Cosh Boys, the Toreadors, Husky and the Sandmen, and Hi-Speed Rockets. It is this rich experience that allows the members of the Gary Hiland Trio to draw on all their resources to deliver a truly exciting gumbo. On this album, traditional rockabilly rubs shoulders with more neo-rockabilly tracks, and you’ll find a menacing instrumental alongside songs with a stronger country influence. The band’s only criterion seems to be, “Does it sound good?” But what makes the result so exciting is not a juxtaposition of styles, but rather an assimilation aimed at creating a style unique to the group. And believe me, it works! Add to that perfect musical mastery and solid compositions and you’ll quickly understand why this album should quickly find its place in your collection.
ROCKABILLY CHRONICLE
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

GARY HILAND TRIO – Running Around / Rock’n’Roll Blues (Goofin’ GRSI247, 7”) Kari ”Gary Hiland” Kunnaksen (laulu/kitara), Janne Anttosen (basso) ja Tommy Dahlströmin (rummut) muodostamalla rockabilly-kokoonpanolla on takanaan kilometreittäin kokemusta ja kovaa ajoa, mutta julkaisulistansa pituudella se ei kuitenkaan vielä pääse rehvastelemaan. Ansioituneiden miekkosten taustalta löytyy yhtyeitä, kuten Maibell & The Misfires, Hi-Fly Rangers, Toreadors, Husky & The Sandmen, Housewreckers ja Hi-Speed Rockets, sen sijaan fyysisiä äänitteitä Hilandin omalta triolta on markkinoille ilmestynyt aikaisemmin vain yksi EP vuonna 2019.
Kappaleita eritoten Maibell & The Misfiresille kirjoittanut Kunnas vakuuttaa pätevyyttään lauluntekijänä levyn neobillahtavalla a-puolella – kääntösivuhölkän ryhmä on londannut jokseenkin odottamatta r&b-laulajatar Linda Hopkinsin 1950-luvun tuotannosta. Kunnaksen taidot eivät rajaudu pelkästään tarkkaan kynänjälkeen, vaan ne käyvät hyvin ilmi myös hänen vuorenvarmasta kitaroinnistaan sekä tasapainoisesta, ylimaneerit mallikkaasti kiertävästä laulusuorituksestaan.

Pete Hoppula (julkaistu BN-numerossa 5/2024)

No dramatic departures from standard Rockabilly methodology will be located here. That is a positive appraisal. Because, while innovation is welcome, on occasion, there are moments when the familiar is most apt. In simplicity revs efficaciousness. Dancers don't care to pause and ponder crisp wrinkles; they're on the scene to have a blast. The men gathered here seem intent on just-plain rocking, and they excel at that pursuit. (And the Linda Hopkins gesture augments their validity.)
DC Larson's Jukebox Jury

”Tämähän on hyvin soitettua modernia rockabillyä perinteitä kunnioittaen. Laulu ja Soitto ihan kansainväliset mitat täyttävällä tasolla. Ei mitään kitkunkatku liiteri soundia, vaan hyvin tehtyä kaikinpuolin…”
Wizard Wellun Wiiltävät/ Wellu Rastas



"This is a top class 4 track release that will transport the listener back to the 1980’s when Neo Rockabilly ruled, I loved this release and I can’t wait for a full length album."
Slap that Bass, AJ's Rockin Music Reviews.

"Tremendous energy on these 3 superb originals and 1 hot rod classic... fine Finnish rockin' on this new Wax-O Records release!"
Del Villareal, Go Kat Go Rockabilly Show