by rudyards | March 30th, 2013
Rich Hopkins & The Luminaros (Tucson, AZ)
https://www.richhopkins.org/
Rich Hopkins recently recorded his 14th album BURIED TREASURES with his band THE LUMINARIOS in both his home town Tucson, Az and in Austin, Texas. The album will be releases on Jan. 15 2012 on San Jacinto Records and Blue Rose Records. Rich formed the Luminarios initially as a side project from his then main job/band, The Sand Rubies who were making records for Chrysalis/Atlas Records. The Sand Rubies who recently disbanded in 2010 were originally formed in 1985 under the name of THE SIDEWINDERS. The Sidewinders from Tucson, Az. quickly became a long standing partner ship between DAVID SLUTES lyricist/vocalsit/guitarist and RICH HOPKINS(music writer, guitarist) that would last nearly 26 years. They went on to record 7 albums their first, !CUACHA! that was rleased on Rich’s SAN JACINTO RECORDS in jan. 1988.
The Sidewinders,an Arizona favorite quickly landed record deals on DEMON/UK, MAMMOTH AND RCA . Their career break came late in the fall of 1988 after signing with Jay Faires’ Mammoth Records and then quickly getting signed yet again to RCA thanks to the band’s touring ethic,,strong writing and unique guitar sound that captured the soc alled DESERT ROCK SOUND that The Gin Blossoms would later capitalize on New Miserable Experiences in 1995. The band quickly recorded their second album WITCHDOCTOR in Tucson and LA not knowing that during all this they would be signed to RCA Records before the recording was even finished. The cost to record and mix Witchdoctor was $3000.00 which seemed like a lot of money back in those days. WITCHDOCTOR quickly became a college radio hit and the band followed it up with a video to the song Witchdoctor that ended up on MTV. The band toured continuously with abnds like CHARLIE SEXTON, HOODOO GURUS, DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN and THE REPLACEMENTS to name a few as well as doing their own cross country tours.
Ragged Hearts (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ragged-Hearts/107562209301309
Ragged Hearts is a Houston-based band, featuring former members of Sylvain Sylvain’s Band (New York Dolls), The Applicators, and Trashcan Punch. Formed in 2002, they have always focused on the traditional elements of roots, rock and roll, folk, and (to a lesser extent) glam.
Founding members Corey Power, Davey Jonez, and Don Paul West envisioned a band with a do-it-yourself attitude that focuses on honest songwriting, heartfelt live performance, mutual creative contribution, and a band that would draw on the entire 50+ year tradition of Rock and Roll for inspiration.
Their debut cd, “Her Bright White Light” was released on the Basement Boy Records imprint in October of 2006, and features 3 songs produced and recorded by The Glammer Twins (Bam and Share Ross of Dogs D’Amour, Bubble, Vixen, Wildhearts) and 8 self- produced and recorded songs.
