About five years ago, we heard about Two Gallants everywhere. Their albums, from their 2004 debut The Throes, 2006’s What the Toll Tells and their 2007 self-titled, were all critically acclaimed but, at the same time, like an irritating, unshakeable Phil Collins tune, controversy just seemed to follow the San Francisco alt-folkers around.

First, it was the hoo-ha over their use of the old ‘n’ word in their song Long Summer Day from their 2006 sophomore, What the Toll Tells (which apparently doesn’t go down well if you’re two white dudes). And then there was an unfortunate run-in with the Houston Police Department and a little taser gun at a gig. Since then – and particularly their last 2007 album – we haven’t heard too much from Two Gallants, so it was a little surprising to hear that they’re stopping by Hong Kong this fortnight.

Starting out at house parties and street corners, Adam Stephen and Tyson Vogel’s shaggy-haired, folk rock soon found its way on to Saddle Creek Records, home of fellow folk rockers Bright Eyes, and quickly became known for its bluesy, expletive-filled, lyrically provocative, in-your-face character. They sing about gay boys in the choir, a guy being in jail, and lots about girls and epic heartbreak. More than anything though, Two Gallants – named after the controversial James Joyce short story about a pair of very ungallant Dubliners – wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Yeah, with their rattling acoustic guitars and histrionic harp, there are Beatles and Dylan influences – but as Stephen has said in the past, saying so is like ‘pointing out Thomas Edison’s influence on a well-lit room’. We expect more gems like that when they roll through Hidden Agenda. But no tasers, please. Or, you’d hope, ‘n’ words.

Cathy Chan 

Two Gallants play Hidden Agenda on Sunday November 13. Tickets: 9651 8567; www.hiddenagendahk.com.