Between the Lightning and the Thunder – new full length album OUT NOW on vinyl, CD and all streaming platforms
Channeling the pioneer spirit of Buddy Holly, the brooding lyricism of Nick Cave, and the rebel heart of Johnny Cash, Philadelphia-based roots rockers Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen release their bold new album, Between the Lightning and the Thunder, available now on vinyl, CD, and all major streaming platforms.
A sonic cocktail of noir Americana, poetic storytelling, and rockabilly edge, the album blends folk tradition with cinematic flair and lyrical depth. Reflective yet propulsive, it’s the band’s most mature and fully realized statement to date.
“We wanted to take our mid-century rock-n-roll sound a step further, to create something cinematic” says frontman Mighty Joe Castro. “This record lives somewhere between the moral tension of East of Eden and the dream logic of a David Lynch film.”
Produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (Sharon Van Etten, Dr. Dog, The War on Drugs) at Miner Street Recordings, Between the Lightning and the Thunder is both a love letter to American musical tradition and a bold creative leap forward.
With previous releases earning airplay on independent radio worldwide and appearances at Americana and rockabilly festivals, the Gravamen continue to stake their claim as one of modern roots music’s most distinctive acts.
Reviews:
“..a noir-tinged journey through vintage rock ‘n’ roll, americana, and gothic storytelling. It’s a reverb-drenched landscape, full of vibrant tunes and arresting lyrics. “ – Americana UK
“Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen don’t make music for those that are trying to relive the Golden Age of Rock’ n’ Roll. They’re writing soulful songs for the people who are giving everything that they have to the struggle of living through these times. These are the kinds of songs that Buddy Holly or Johnny Cash might feel obliged to write as a way to answer our collective anxieties. ” – Alt77.com
“…feels like it came from a smoky dive bar somewhere in the middle of nowhere—authentic.” – V13
” It’s clear they’re a band to watch, continually pushing boundaries while honouring their roots.” – Broken 8 Records
“Embers in the Ash” wins Best Americana song at the 2024 Homey Awards in Wilmington, Delaware.
Audio (select tracks)
Video
Press:
Mighty Joe Castro’s essay on Rockabilly Against Racism from American Blues Scene
“Philly-based singer-songwriter Mighty Joe Castro would fit right in at the Twin Peaks roadhouse. His retro-rock stylings channel the uneasy underbelly of 1950s American life; think equal parts film noir and Chris Isaak’s “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing,” a vibe that perfectly coalesces in his new music video for “There Are No Secrets Here.” – John Vettese, WXPN’s The Key.
“Meet the group that’s taking rock-n-roll out of the museum and breathing in new life” – Philadelphia Weekly
“…all original tracks with a strong set of lyrics. Spanning a broad mix of styles, this unique debut LP deserves to be heard” – Vintage Rock Magazine
“Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen don’t make music for those that are trying to relive the Golden Age of Rock’ n’ Roll. They’re writing soulful songs for the people who are giving everything that they have to the struggle of living through these times. These are the kinds of songs that Buddy Holly or Johnny Cash might feel obliged to write as a way to answer our collective anxieties. ” – Alt77.com
“..a noir-tinged journey through vintage rock ‘n’ roll, americana, and gothic storytelling. It’s a reverb-drenched landscape, full of vibrant tunes and arresting lyrics. “ – Americana UK
“Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen are like Salvidor Dali – weird in a way but genius. A fantastic album” – Slap That Bass Reviews
“Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen is one of those bands that gently reminds you that rock and roll, given its simple and humble beginnings and ancestors, both white and black, should never get too pretentious or suffer any feelings of self-importance. To do so means that it has strayed from its spiritual base and will likely lose its power with its perspective listeners to inspire and make them want to sing along, to make them laugh and cry, and to make them irresistibly want to smile and move various parts of their body. Fortunately for us, Castro and his band with an affecting passion, do all three with Come On, Angels!” – Americana Highways
“…feels like it came from a smoky dive bar somewhere in the middle of nowhere—authentic.” – V13
” It’s clear they’re a band to watch, continually pushing boundaries while honouring their roots.” – Broken 8 Records
“From its title track — equal parts whiskey-soaked lament and feel-good song of the summer (and fall and winter) — to the Beach Boys-level harmonies on “Whispering Hell,” Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen represent a patchwork of the sounds and cultures that made me fall in love with music to begin with.” – American Blues Scene
“9/10 – If they ever remake the movie “The Outsiders”, it would be wise to have Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen soundtrack it as their aesthetic, vision and quality of song craft certainly warrants it.” – Take Effect Reviews
“Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen has delivered a winner with their first album. Their sound is familiar, without being derivative, and the group shows a real love of the material from rock and roll’s golden age. Well worth a listen.” – Blinded by Sound
“Top to bottom I really enjoyed this album. Each song feels like a character in a Raymond Chandler novel and taken together, they tell the kind of story that sticks in your head for a while, rattling around in moments when you’re left to your own thoughts. I was taken off guard by the depth and breadth of the music here. It’s the kind of multi-genre album that feels vibrant and classic at the same time… ” – Shouting Street
“A cross between Stray Cats and Chris Isaak, a combination of jubilation and emotional darkness.. and by God it works.” – The Rock Doctor
“There is a lot to love here, from the slightly sinister album started, “There Are No Secrets Here,” to the BeachBoys-esque doo-wop howl in “Whispering Hell,” to the folk narrative in “June (90 Degrees) and the sweet and sensitive guitar work of “Better Hold Tight.” It’s classic Americana through a post-modern lens.” – Philadelphia Globe
“We reckon these guys are fantastic live, and the energy that the song exhudes is absolutely brilliant. It’s great to hear something like this in a world where traditional rock ‘n’ roll seems to be quite rare” – York Calling
“…lovingly recreates the wild sexuality, aggression, and just plain weirdness of early rock’n’roll with an updated sensibility.” – Adobe and Teardrops
“(this music) is authentic!” – GrungeCake
“Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen was good fun too. Propelled by frontman Castro’s animated gestures — which included jumps, head-jerks, hand-claps and broad swings of his arms — they did a fine job of energizing the crowd and coaxing the dancers out into the light of the stagefront.” – Americana Highways
“…a fantastic collection of rockabilly songs that are a joy for your earholes” – Shouting Street (Best of 2019 List)
“Sounds good to us!” – Disarm Magazine
“de lo mejorcito que se puede escuchar en este año” (“the best that can be heard this year”) – Mito Cadiscos dual.
“…the sound works really well. It’s jangly and fun; it’s got a simple but rewarding message about staying in someone’s mind even if things don’t work out. Yup, I can relate.” – Ear to the Ground Music
Bio:
Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen hail from Philadelphia, PA, blending the vintage swagger of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll with a gritty, modern edge. Imagine Buddy Holly armed with a stack of effect pedals and some of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds records. That’s the vibe.
Their sound is rooted in classic rockabilly, but it’s filtered through a postmodern lens—complete with sonic Easter eggs cribbed from old episodes of MTV’s 120 Minutes. Frontman Mighty Joe Castro crafts sharp, lyric-driven songs, while The Gravamen build cinematic atmospheres with Link Wray-meets-Jesus and Mary Chain guitars, booming doghouse bass, and foot-stomping swing beats. The band occupies a unique crossroads where Sun Records and Creation Records collide.
Going strong since 2018, the band debuted with the Wake Up, You’re Rockin’! EP, followed by their full-length album Come On Angels in 2020. Known for their high-energy live shows, they’ve shared stages with a diverse range of artists including The Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Heavy Heavy, Skinny Lister, Wayne Hancock, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.
Their latest release, Between the Lightning and the Thunder, dropped June 6, 2025, on vinyl, CD, and all major streaming platforms. Produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (Sharon Van Etten, Dr. Dog, Dead Milkmen) at Philadelphia’s Miner Street Recordings, the album marks an evolution in the band’s sound—more expansive, cinematic, and darkly electric than ever before.
High-res photos:
