Gospel Claws

Gospel Claws could probably draw a local following simply by highlighting their ties to local heroes Dear and the Headlights — frontman Joel Marquard was a founding member and member Chuckie Duff is DATH’s bassist — but the band instead relies on an eclectic array of influences, distinct vocals, and a broad palette of styles. It’s hard to find a defining theme in the band’s catalog. In fact, Marquard recently described their latest EP as a mixture of alt-country, indie pop, and “something you would hear on a cruise.” A sample of their tracks feels like getting party-shuffled from the Cold War Kids to Whiskeytown to The Smiths and back again. It can be a little jarring, but they pull it off by refusing to overreach or abandon their sincerity. The band may have been borne of bigger acts and bounce from the shoulders of one giant to the next, but Gospel Claws has found a niche all its own. — Brian Bardwell