By in-beam γ-spectroscopy we have found many new γ-transitions in 153Gd. Most transitions can be assigned to two rotational bands, one built on the 11 2 − [505] band-head at 171.4 keV and extending up to the 23 2 − level at 1587.1 keV, the other built on a 95.2 keV 9 2 + band head at 95.2 keV and extending up to 25 2 + at 1197 keV. From angular distributions and γ-branching ratios in the 11 2 − band we determine gyromagnetic factor differences g rmK − g R for three cascade γ-transitions. The severely perturbed energy spacings of the even-parity band are discussed in terms of very large Coriolis mixing of the two lowest-lying i 13 2 Nilsson orbitals. Additional transitions are reported to extend the ground band of 154Gd to the 16 + level.