Knoxville’s favorite sons, The Dirty Guv’nahs, voted Best Band three years in a row by the readers of alternative weekly, Metro Pulse, broke nationally on July 20 with the release of their second album, “Youth Is In Our Blood.”The band embarked on tour in July and hit the high seas over Labor Day on the Sailing Southern Ground Cruise, hosted by Dirty Guv’nahs fan Zac Brown Band.

“Youth Is In Our Blood” was produced by two-time Grammy-winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm, The Black Crowes) at Helm’s renowned barn/studio in Woodstock, New York.

It follows the band’s self-titled 2009 debut, which drew accolades across the Southeast: “. a passionate, jubilant slice of rock-meets-Americana,” proclaimed The Daily Times in Maryville, while the Louisville Eccentric Observer described it as “Stones gone southern raucousness.”

The Metro Pulse simply declared, “Rock the way God intended.”

On “Youth Is In Our Blood,” The Dirty Guv’nahs serve up a hot, roiling stew of gritty, soul-heavy rock ‘n’ roll, infused with hefty portions of funk, gospel, roots, blues and country.

It’s all powered by a three-guitar onslaught, piano, Hammond organ, horns, a little fiddle, harp and pedal steel and James Taylor Trimble’s soulful growl.

“Our main purpose is to encourage people toward community and not pursue a secluded life,” front man Trimble says of the music.

It’s a notion their growing legion of fans has clearly embraced, as the band’s rollicking live shows are practically a religious experience, as raucous as an old-time tent revival.

It’s not just the energy the band exudes on stage that draws fans in, however.

The deft song writing, primarily a collaborative effort between guitarist Michael Jenkins and Trimble, who clearly have a knack for a good hook, is supported by the ensemble’s tight but free-form musicianship, derived from a wide swath of influences ranging from Elvis to Oasis, with nods to The Rolling Stones, The Band, James Brown, Prince, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Adams.

The disc kicks off with “Baby We Were Young,” a battle cry to the idealism and freedom of youth that sets the tone for what ensues.

The first focus track is “We’ll Be The Light,” a joyous rock and roll ode to lasting love and the perfect balance to “The Country,” a lilting ballad about love lost, which features a hauntingly beautiful guest vocal by Jill Andrews (of the Everybodyfields).

Other highlights include the cinematic “Wide Awake,” inspired by a George Orwell quote, and the roof-raising rockers “Walk With Me,” “It’s Dangerous” “New Salvation,” and “Blue Rose Stroll.”

On more introspective tracks such as “Song For My Beloved,” and “Courage,” The Guvs show lyrical depth and a more vulnerable side.

The Dirty Guv’nahs have built a strong following throughout the Southeast and have appeared at a number of high-profile music festivals including Bonnaroo, CMJ, Wakarusa, Bele Chere and Knoxville’s Sundown In The City.

They’ve shared the stage with Blues Traveler, Robert Earl Keen, Drive By Truckers, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Levon Helm Band and Zac Brown Band, and were invited to perform on the Southern Ground Cruise, hosted by the Zac Brown Band during the Labor Day holiday.

Along with the release of their album and their heavy touring schedule, The Guvs are producing several music videos. “We’ll Be the Light,” debuted in July and “Baby We Were Young,” was released on Nov. 30.

“Baby We Were Young,” is a collaboration between the band and its fans.

The Guvs asked for suggestions on the video and more than 200 responses were received.

To date the video has amassed over 25,000 views on YouTube.

The band is currently on tour and will be playing at Capone’s on Feb. 11 at 9 p.m.

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