The Boat

Patrice Pike, Kevin McKinney, Bob Schneider

If three bands could define the Crooks era Steamboat aesthetic, it would have to be Little Sister (now Sister 7), Soulhat, and Joe Rockhead, the first of four Bob Schneider-led offshoots. Graduating from the smaller but no less influential Black Cat Lounge just up the street, all three bands moved to the 'boat in a one-year span earlier this decade, cementing the club's reputation as Austin's best showcase room. Not only did the trio of bands pack both weekend and weekday residencies on a regular basis, they also had the opportunity to play together occasionally as Little Joe Soul. Better yet, says Pike, Steamboat's full-door payment arrangement and flexible booking schedule allowed all three bands the time and money it took to tour regionally. "Steamboat was an essential step towards us [Sister 7] becoming a national touring band," explains Pike. "[Later], it was Danny calling and saying, åHey, we're having trouble this month, can you come play?' And we always did. We'll always help him and we'll always be there for him. After all, he was always there for us."