Avey Grouws Band

Avey Grouws Band blends blues, roots, rock and soul as powerfully as the Mississippi River runs through their home in the Quad Cities of Iowa & Illinois. Led by powerhouse vocalist Jeni Grouws and ace guitar man Chris Avey, the two-time top ten Billboard charting band are known for their gritty sound and engaging shows. Sophomore album, "Tell Tale Heart", was recorded in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winner, Casey Wasner (Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal). Released September 2021, "Tell Tale Heart" debuted #7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. Avey Grouws Band also hit #10 on the Billboard with their 2020 debut album, "The Devil May Care". Avey Grouws Band toured the US this past year, including Kansas City, two Florida tours, an East Coast tour and a trip to Las Vegas to play the Big Blues Bender along with acts including Keb’ Mo, Beth Hart, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish and many more.

Avey Grouws Band met at a blues jam on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River, and have since put their Quad Cities sound into the world with the release of their debut album 'The Devil May Care' in March of 2020. The album hit #10 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart, #24 for 2020 on the Roots Music Report Top Contemporary Blues Album Chart, “Rise Up” was named top song of 2020 in the Ben Vee Roadhouse 66 top songs of 2020, “Come and Get This Love” won top honors in the Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition and in the International Songwriting Competition, Avey Grouws band was nominated for the 2020 BBMAs for Debut Album New Artist and was nominated for 4 awards in the 2021 Independent Blues Awards, including Best New Artist, Best New Artist Album.

Hot on the heels of their Billboard charting album, ‘The Devil May Care’, AGB is released their sophomore album ‘Tell Tale Heart’ September 24, 2021, which debuted #7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. Recorded in Nashville at East Iris Studios and The Purple House (Leiper’s Fork, TN) with Grammy-winning engineer/producer Casey Wasner at the helm. Featuring 10 original songs, ‘Tell Tale Heart’’s music (described by Wasner as “rock and roll blues soul”) demonstrates the label-defying band’s command of a wide swath of American roots music - - including blues, classic rock, country, R&B, funk, introspective balladry and unbridled rock and roll.

WHAT SOME CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT AVEY GROUWS BAND's TELL TALE HEART:

"...Jeni Grouws is a remarkably demonstrative vocalist, fully capable of delivering sturdy rockers, blustery blues, or...a tender heartfelt ballad. For his part, Chris Avey comes across as a prototypical guitar ace, one whose searing fretwork is both dazzling and decisive. Together with bassist Randy Leasman, drummer Bryan West and keyboard player Nick Vasquez, they make for a formidable ensemble...Many of these songs could easily be mistaken for standards given the band’s adept arrangements, clear confidence and a decidedly agile approach as far as the shift in styles...an explosive offering indeed.'" (Lee Zimmerman/Goldmine)

"Vocalist Jeni Grouws has lost none of the fire and spunk shown on the AGB’s 2020 release, 'The Devil May Care', as evidenced here on the leadoff blues-rocker, 'Love Raining Down'. Dialing it back for a heart-tugging reading of the soul-rock ballad 'Hanging Around', she makes its case for serious airplay consideration. Impressive slow blues work appears on the pungent 'Bad, Bad Year' and the torchy title track. Props to guitar ace Chris Avey and band for solid support throughout." (Duane Verh/Roots Music Report)

"the band retains its raw edge while broadening its scope to lean more heavily into rock and blues rock, driven by the powerhouse vocals of Jeni Grouws and the incendiary guitar of Chris Avey...The title track has Jeni delivering the deep, smoldering slow blues that will induce both tears and raving applause as Avey rips out a spine tingling solo. Avey takes his extended turn of the spacey Pink Floyd like guitar vehicle, 'Mariana.'...On their sophomore effort, the Avey Grouws Band widens their scope, proving they are no one trick pony. Producer Wasner pushes them out of their comfort zone in a few spots and one gets the sense that the band is still experimenting to some extent, looking to still define a signature sound that will separate them from so many others in blues-rock. They offer enough evidence here to suggest they will arrive there soon." (Jim Hynes/Making A Scene)

"There’s nothing like listening to a new album where the first song grabs you by the collar and the winners keep coming the whole way through the 10 tracks. This is Avey Grouws Band and their new album, Tell Tale Heart...A unique blend of groove-based blues/rock, rock & roll and R&B, Avey Grouws Band is led by one helluva vocalist (Jeni Grouws) and superb guitar player (Chris Avey), with their top-tier band of Bryan West on drums, Randy Leasman on bass and Nick Vasquez on keys. Tell Tale Heart demonstrates that Avey Grouws Band is a group to be reckoned with and that Tell Tale Heart deserves to be heard. The album kicks off with the killer song 'Love Raining Down,' a blues rocker with infectious rhythm. With powerhouse vocalist Jeni Grouws leading the way, the entire band is on fire, locked tight with expert drumming, guitar, keys and bass. Chris Avey lets loose on a brilliant guitar solo and the song builds to a blues/rock symphony of groove. This band kicks a**. Another standout, 'Bad, Bad Year' is a raging blues rocker that opens with overdriven guitar, organ and solid drumming. About the political unrest and division among friends, Grouws grabs this tune with gusto and grit. It’s been a while since a vocalist gave me the chills. Grouws digs deep and you can’t turn away. She’s a belter with deep rooted soul. Avey’s guitar rips with emotion and intensity—a thrilling guitarist to listen to...A bold move for a sophomore album but one that exceeds expectations, is the seven-minute instrumental 'Mariana.' A must-listen for guitar fans, Avey’s guitar work hints of Robin Trower with precision and deep soulfulness. Shimmering cymbals, subtle keyboards and bass, are the backdrop for a powerful instrumental. A gem.
Avey Grouws Band is on the way to the top." (Martine Ehrenclou/Rock and Blues Muse)

On ‘The Devil May Care’:

"Avey Grouws Band channels its pent-up enthusiasm and not slight musical ability toward an individuated brand of blues-rock that recommends its first album." - Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat Magazine

Avey Grouws Band is from the "Quad Cities, along the mighty Mississippi and brings as much power as any band along that waterway, Memphis and New Orleans included." - Jim Hynes, Elmore Magazine

"I think (The Devil May Care) is one of the best debut albums I've heard, not only in Blues, but across all genres." UK Radio

Avey Grouws Band is Jeni Grouws, Chris Avey, Bryan West and Randy Leasman.