Don Leady

hunderbird-style blues with hardscrabble swamp-rock that made the trio enormously popular. Whatever the musical configuration, Leady's stellar credentials make him worth a listen.
- The Austin Chronicle


Will the Austin, Tex., spring of hot rockers ever dry up? Not if groups like the Tail Gators, which made its local debut Friday at Club Lingerie, are any indication. This "swamp rock" power trio of guitarist/singer Don Leady (ex-LeRoi Brothers), bassist Keith Ferguson (ex-Fabulous Thunderbirds) and drummer Gary (Mudcat) Smith, nearly shook the house down with a mix of swinging Texas blues and Cajun stomp, all set to a big beat. At times it was hard to believe that this came from only three players, but the combination of Leady's roots guitar licks and Ferguson and Smith's rock-solid rhythms made for explosive chemistry.
- LA Times


"The 'GATORS' late night spontaneity on these tracks, all done in one take with a minimum of overdubs, (if any), makes "TORE UP" quite possibly the rockinest of TAIL GATORS album yet. Expertly mixed by Steve Berlin and Mark Linett, (who've worked together on albums by Los Lobos, the Beat Farmers and Dave Alvin among others), "Tore Up" comes dangerously close to capturing the TAIL GATORS' legendary on-stage rock n' roll combustion. If it sounded any hotter the vinyl would melt."
- Wrestler Records


True to it's title, SWAMP ROCK gleefully combines traditional cajun meters, inflections, and instrumentation with catchy choruses and Leady's reedy vocals, resulting in a record unlike any contemporary effort. Packed with homespun lyrics and endearing tunes like "Rock and Roll Till the Cows Come Home," SWAMP ROCK has occupied a space on my heavy-listening shelf for weeks and has yet to wear out its welcome.
- Texas Monthly


For many however Don and his Tele literally defined the "Austin Music" sound for nearly a generation.
- Mark Rubin, Musician, Writer