Compulsive Gamblers were an American garage rock group formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1990 by Greg Cartwright and Jack Yarber. Initially known as "The Painkillers," they adopted the name Compulsive Gamblers after adding Fields Trimble on bass, Philip Tubb on keyboards, Rod Thomas on drums, and Greg Easterly on fiddle. Their first release was the EP Joker (1992), followed by "Church Goin'" (1992) and "Goodtime Gamblers" (1995). Internal conflicts led to their initial disbandment in 1993. Cartwright and Yarber then focused on the Oblivians, leading to the ultimate breakup of Compulsive Gamblers' first incarnation. Their early recordings were later compiled into Gambling Days are Over. After the Oblivians disbanded, Cartwright and Yarber reformed Compulsive Gamblers with Rod Thomas, releasing Bluff City in 1999. Bassist Jeff Meier and keyboardist Brendan Lee Spengler joined for subsequent tours and releases, including Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing (2000) and Live & Deadly: Memphis-Chicago (2003). The band disbanded again in 2003.
