by rudyards | January 22nd, 2014
Grand Old Grizzly (Houston, TX)
https://grandoldgrizzly.com/
Grand Old Grizzly are a Texan-based band making new music with an old sound. With distinctive music that combines upbeat tempos, downbeat yet cheerfully sung lyrics and addictive melodies, Grand Old Grizzly’s self-titled first album is a rollicking journey through love, loss and life on the road.One of the best things about Grand Old Grizzly’s music is the raw energy contained within it. The instrumentals are sharp and clear and the vocals filled with emotion; the effect sounding as though the band is playing live in the living room rather than through the stereo’s speakers. This is clever production for a band whose talents lie in their music making abilities, needing no flashy editing or effects to impede upon an already effective sound.
Front man, vocalist and principal songwriter Will Thomas has weaved tantalising stories with his poetic lyrics throughout the album. From songs like the descriptive and lamenting Indecision – “My indecision led to her decision not to stay/She had a large outstanding balance we all knew she’d never pay”, to the reality questioning Sundowners – “Oh darling, what’s it like staring back at me?”, the album is full of nostalgia-tinged vignettes of central-western American life, of cold nights in small desert pubs, long stretches of open roads, wild women and stiff drinks.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Grand Old Grizzly’s music is that all the songs feel positive and upbeat, even if the lyrics are as desolate as can be. Albeit sung with a wry sarcasm and a very much tongue-in-cheek attitude in parts, the best examples of which can be found in popular song Morning and humorous Marvellistic Coward Band, this optimistic quality makes the album demand repeat listens. With playful bass-lines that are so unique they stick in your mind long after the record has finished, quick, light percussion and of course some necessary banjo strumming, each element comes together to create complex yet easy to listen to songs full of life.
The members of Grand Old Grizzly contain a wealth of musical talent and experience between them, a fact made clear on this collection of toe-tapping tunes made great by their complexities. This album is well worth a listen, but be warned: one listen may turn into two, then three, then permanent rotation as this addictive, contradictive, fun and philosophical music just doesn’t let up or let go.
Johnny Beauford (Dallas, TX)
https://www.stcaitrecords.com/artists/johnnybeauford/
Johnny Beauford (born November 24, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and front man of Americana project The Jack Kerowax and long-time Dallas rock band bravo, max! Beauford currently lives in Dallas, TX where he writes and records with The Jack Kerowax, bravo, max!, and as an independent arist. He is known for his distinctive Americana style, soaring vocals, and narrative lyrics.
“Dallas troubadour Johnny Beauford might be one of the area’s most frustrating talents (in a good way). He toggles between a solo career and being part of Jack Kerowax and Bravo, Max!, but however his new music materializes, the wait is almost always unbearably long — and when he finally unveils a fresh collection of songs, as he does on the self-produced A Pig Eating Past Love, they whip by in 20 minutes, leaving the listener aching for more. Beauford’s appealing, wounded vocals convey lyrics that would be unsettling out of context against musical backdrops suffused with folk rhythms and lush instrumentals. The record will be digitally released Tuesday ( Love will also be for sale in physical form at Good Records), and Beauford will celebrate the LP’s arrival Jan. 18 at Three Links in Deep Ellum.” - Preston Jones, DFW.COM
“Vocalist and co-songwriter for one of the area’s most exciting bands, Dallas-based trio Bravo, Max!, Johnny Beauford is spilling over with songs — so much so that, just months after releasing Bravo, Max!’s debut LP, Dog’s Light, Beauford turned around and unveiled this seven-track EP. More spare and direct than Bravo, Max!, the self-produced Lo Fi finds Beauford trafficking in the kind of earnest Americana that dares you to turn away. Gifted with a keen sense of melody and an intriguing lyrical style, Beauford confirms his rightful place among the top tier of North Texas songwriters.”- Preston Jones, DFW.COM
Cowbell Kings (Houston, TX)
https://www.reverbnation.com/cowbellkings
Cowbell Kings plays shows of original country/rock/pop style music, with powerful hooks, bucking syncopated rhythms, strong vocal harmonies, and soaring exciting instrumentation. The band plays clubs, shows, also dance hall, country dance bars, private parties and ice house gigs doing well known country and rock’n’roll covers with many original songs scattered into the mix. Rick Ehrlich, lead guitar and vocals, Matt Elkins, bass and vocals, Bruce Ross guitar and vocals, and Ivan “Koop” Kuper on drums and vocals. The band was previously called More Cowbell Tx, but there are several Texas bands with similar confusing names; we have been promoted.
