GA-20
Orphans
The Soundwaves Vinyl of the Week is Orphans by GA-20.
Released in late 2025 (Colemine Records) with a revamped lineup that includes original member Matthew Stubbs alongside newcomers Cody Nilsen on vocals/guitar and Josh Kiggans on drums, the album took off like a race horse out of the gate with their first single, a cover of Billy Boy Arnold’s “Cryin’ & Pleadin’”. Some may have worried that the band might sound different from their first iteration, but no, the dueling guitar sounds that made this band great are still fully intact and tight.
Orphans is a compilation, covering tracks from the likes of James Brown, Little Walter and Elmore James and is reminiscent of an earlier GA-20 album that they did of Hound Dog Taylor songs. Cody’s vocal range is impressive, to say the least, and Josh fits in nicely behind the skins. I was psyched to see both of them join GA-20 as I’ve followed the two newcomers for years in the band, Girls, Guns & Glory / (Ward Hayden & The Outliers).
This Boston-based power trio rocks and they’re creating raunchy Chicago blues music at its finest. I’m already looking forward to new original material in the near future. And from what I heard, it could be coming as soon as this year. We can only hope.