Larry Lange & His Lonely Knights

Wiggle Room (SteadyBoy Records)

Larry Lange & His Lonely Knights is hardly a concept band in the traditional sense, but Lange’s vision and dedication to classic South Texas and Gulf Coast rock, not to mention swamp pop and Chicano soul, makes Wiggle Room levitate into the dance-o-sphere. The local act, augmented by a trio of horns, comes off with a big show-band sound on titles like “Jail in San Antone” and Doug Sahm’s “Two Hearts in Love.” Lange’s special guest roster turns up swamp-pop master Tommy McLain (“Don’t Make Me Leave New Orleans,” “Another Saturday Night in Wardville”) and, as always, the Austin-based Knights brandish secret weapon Joanna Ramirez (“How Many Midnights”). What makes the bassist-singer group namesake sound so good is his veteran lineup, including drummer Michael Christian, guitarist Grady Pinkerton, and Kenny Hayes on keys. And dig the London Calling-esque cover tribute to the Clash, fitting in the sense that the Texas mystique was what lured those British invaders to the Southwest in the first place.

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This article appears in August 19 • 2011.

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