Gary Llama
1993-PresentGary Llama’s songs wear their hearts on their sleeves. Threading together topics of personal struggle, radical mental health, and leftist politics, Gary’s music blends the traditions of American Folk, pop music, and the Richmond, Virginia punk scene he grew up in.
Gary got his start in the early 90s in Richmond, Virginia, playing in Golden Llamas, who became 500$Fine. From there, he played guitar briefly with Shitload of Pain, before beginning to release a stream of his own solo work.
In the 2010s, he began making instrumental music for an emcee friend Ben FM, and as a half of the group, Mineral Writes, with Brooklyn-based Emcee Timbo King.
In addition to his music, he has found a voice in both writing and in visual art, both of which have been documented via the label as books. His latest book, ‘Struggle Against‘, tells his story of his early teens, playing music with 500$Fine and dealing with the loss of bassist, and friend, Patrick Daly.
In 2020, He began playing with friend Greg Kusterbeck, singing for their group 92FU. In 2021, he began making music with Ben FM and Ryan Shade as Escapement.