TALLBOY
It’s no coincidence that Tim Kerr produced this five-song cassette – sounds
like Poison 13. Only better. Whereas Kerr’s seminal Austin band chose to
subvert the blues through punk, Tallboy’s doing the blues through a hardcore
haze. Maybe that’s cutting it fine, but the fat, burp-gun guitar, pumping out
fast and furious red-hot, meaty riffs, is slamfest heavy. “Don’t Wanna Be Like
You,” and “Top Fuel” are particularly good. High energy shit, and a terrific
tape. – Raoul Hernandez
SCHWAGGERT
(Freedom)
The Schwagg, featuring members of the Neptunes/Toadliquors and a
superb roots guitarist from the West Coast, laid-down this entire 11-cut debut
in a single afternoon. They say they’re the Stones meet NRBQ, but they’re
really more the Silos mixed with a good dose of Jerry Lee Lewis wildness and
Escovedo songwriting smarts. “Take a Little for Yourself” and “When Can I See
You?” stick fast to the brain ribs while “You Ain’t Nothin’ But Trouble” and
“Me and My Woman” are definitive Austin rockers. This LP is an appealing,
albeit roughly finished work. What would one expect from a band whose raison
d’etre is the live performance? – Joe Mitchell
THE WALKING DEAD
This Carnival of Life (Fez Guy)
Canadian-born and raised Lucky Holloway assembles a “Division I”
band to support his style of country-rock. Unfortunately, sound production for
much of this cassette is coarse. Glover Gill’s piano and Larry Tracy’s steel
are lost in the background. Production improves half-way through and John
Wilson’s guitar extracts itself from the spider webs on “Match Made in Hell.”
“Back to the Coulees” and “Snug as a Bug” give a lively counterpoint to the
ballads. – Stephen McGuire
“Bonus Tracks” reviews all local and Texas-based
releases commercially
available. Send to: “Bonus Tracks,”
The Austin Chronicle, PO
Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765.
This article appears in September 15 • 1995 and September 15 • 1995 (Cover).