The Whiskey Made Me Do It

The Zoo Crew is spinning Anthony Gomes’ “The Whiskey Made Me Do It” from his 2018 album Peace, Love & Loud Guitars, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this raucous blues-rock anthem. This track is a Chicago-style shuffle with a humorous twist, telling the tale of a night gone wild thanks to a bit too much whiskey. In the song, Gomes sings about kissing his girlfriend’s sister and ending up in trouble, with lines like, “I’m drinking triples, seeing double, acting single, now I’m in trouble,” which perfectly capture the song’s playful, rebellious spirit. The track features Gomes’ signature slide guitar, adding a traditional blues edge to its modern rock vibe. In an interview with Rock and Blues Muse, Gomes shared that the humor in this song was intentional, aiming to lighten the mood during a time of global tension. He noted, “I feel like we are in a toxic place… I think we just need to laugh,” emphasizing the song’s role as a fun escape.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s production and reception. Recorded in studios across St. Louis, Nashville, and Memphis, “The Whiskey Made Me Do It” showcases Gomes’ ability to blend old-school blues with contemporary flair, as highlighted in a Blues Blast Magazine review. The song’s official lyric video, released in October 2018, and its music video, dropped in November 2023, both amplify its cheeky narrative with visuals that match the song’s energy. Fans on social media, particularly in posts on Reddit’s blues community, have praised the song’s infectious groove and Gomes’ electrifying guitar work. The 2024 remix of the track, part of the remixed Peace, Love & Loud Guitars album, cranks up the intensity, earning it a spot on Amazon’s New Release Blues Chart at #1, as noted on Making a Scene.

Anthony Gomes’ journey to becoming a blues-rock powerhouse began in Toronto, Canada, where he was born to a Portuguese father and a French-Canadian mother. As a teenager, he fell in love with the guitar, inspired by legends like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix. By 14, he was teaching himself to play, honing his skills in Toronto’s vibrant club scene. His passion for blues deepened when he discovered Canadian guitar hero Jeff Healey, whose local presence left a lasting impact. Gomes told GoBeWeekly, “Jeff Healey was really breaking onto the scene when I was in high school… He was a wonderful guitar player and artist.” While playing in local bands, Gomes pursued a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Toronto, writing a thesis on the racial and cultural evolution of blues music, which solidified his scholarly connection to the genre.

In the late 1990s, Gomes moved to Chicago to immerse himself in the city’s blues scene, playing as a sideman for Magic Slim and the Teardrops before forming his own band. His debut album, Blues in Technicolor, released in 1998 via Urban Electric, marked the start of his recording career. Relocating to Nashville, he found a home in its music scene, releasing albums like Sweet Stringin’ Soul (2000) and Unity (2002), the latter earning him the 2003 BluesWax Artist of the Year award. A pivotal moment came in 2005 when B.B. King’s bus driver introduced Gomes to the blues icon, leading to Gomes opening for King’s tour dates. This experience, coupled with sharing stages with artists like Buddy Guy, Robert Plant, and Joe Bonamassa, propelled him to headliner status. Today, Gomes resides in St. Louis, Missouri, where he continues to tour globally with the Anthony Gomes Band, blending blues, rock, and soul.

Fans can connect with Anthony Gomes through his official website, where they’ll find tour dates, news, and merchandise. His social media presence is active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates and engages with his audience. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Anthony Gomes Fan Club on Facebook is a lively community where fans discuss his music, share concert experiences, and celebrate his work. While no dedicated fan websites were found, the Reddit blues community occasionally buzzes with Gomes-related posts, reflecting his growing influence among blues-rock enthusiasts.