Austin Punk Chronicles: The Shock of the New – The Violators and the Skunks Invade Raul's

14 days after the Sex Pistols break up and mainstream media declares punk dead, Austin's scene begins at a Tejano bar on the Drag in Chapter 5, Part 1 of the "Austin Punk Chronicles"

"..."Raul's was a Tejano bar," says Skunks drummer Billy Blackmon. "The guys who ran it were..."

Aug. 5, 2022 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Young, Loud, and Cheap

The Skunks were a band. A loud one.

"...Maybe you were actually there to see the Skunks at Raul's. Maybe you weren't hitting the local clubs..."

Dec. 8, 2000 Music Feature by Ken Lieck

Raul's in Overdrive: "AUSTIN IS UN-MELLOWING OUT!"

In 1978, visits from Patti Smith and Elvis Costello plus the Austin Punk Scene’s first record could mean “AUSTIN IS UN-MELLOWING OUT!”

"...installments of the “Austin Punk Chronicles” here. Boycott Bogus Skunks LP..."

Dec. 30, 2022 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Austin Punk Chronicles: "Hard, Fast & Unapologetic" – Raul's Shifts Into Fourth Gear

In the wake of the one-night debut of the Skunks and the Violators, Austin punk begins in earnest in Chapter 5, Part 2 of the “Austin Punk Chronicles”

"...music, for the most part, was pretty crappy," says Skunks drummer Billy Blackmon in his nicotine-cured drawl. "But I..."

Aug. 12, 2022 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Jingle Bell Rock and Blues

Two legendary Austin bands reunite for the holidaze.

"...Many of my good times I had with the Skunks, gathering tonight at the Continental Club for their annual..."

Dec. 21, 2007 Music Post by Margaret Moser

Wednesday Rewind

The Skunks at The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology release party

"...specialists at Austin Music Weekly, here’s proof that the Skunks rank among the finest regional punk bands anytime the..."

April 13, 2011 Music Post by Austin Powell

SXSW Music Review: The Klitz

Memphis punk pioneers endure

"...As the Violators and Skunks helped invent Austin punk in 1978, the Klitz did..."

March 14, 2019 SXSW Post by Tim Stegall

Raul's in Overdrive: "Have a Good Time, Get in Free, and Drink Some Beer"

Enter 1978, when Austin punk meets San Antonio’s the Next and Dallas’ the Nervebreakers

"...the name. Perhaps it was the Hungry Horse, where Skunks members Eddie Muñoz and Jesse Sublett played in their..."

Dec. 23, 2022 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Out of the Shadows

photograph by Todd V. Wolfson

"...say there were few outfits more significant than the Skunks, Graham's first notable Austin band; Lou Ann Barton's first..."

July 25, 1997 Music Feature by Andy Langer

Revolution Rock

At the crossroads of the Clash and the great state of Austin, Texas.

"...Jeff erroneously included the name of my band, the Skunks. The following week he wrote a retraction:..."

Jan. 17, 2003 Music Feature

This Changes Everything: Austin Witnesses to Sex Pistols' Chaotic Randy's Rodeo Show Go Home and Start Bands

UK instigators blow the roof off San Antonio dance hall in Chapter 4, Part 2, of the “Austin Punk Chronicles”

"...Skunks guitarist Eddie Muñoz's VW bus was crammed with Skunks/Violators..."

Jan. 7, 2022 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Margaret Moser Tribute: Jesse Sublett

When the Queen calls, you come

"...say, "We've got a new punk band called the Skunks. We're playing Raul's in two weeks." Next Friday, Margaret..."

June 30, 2017 Music Feature by Jesse Sublett

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...really enjoyed Ken [Lieck]'s story about my band the Skunks ["Young, Loud, and Cheap," Dec. 8]. I thought it..."

Dec. 15, 2000 Column

Dancing About Architecture

Ritalin Kids sign a record deal; Steve Wertheimer gets wet all over.

"...of which might be a CD reissue of the Skunks' self-titled album (not the one with the purple cover)..."

Aug. 18, 2000 Music Column by Ken Lieck

“No Willie, Waylon, or the Armadillo in 1977!!!” The Punk Beast Begins to Stir in Austin

A nascent scene takes shape in chapter three of the "Austin Punk Chronicles"

"...the Kinks. Sublett and Muñoz readily agreed. Meet the Skunks – Austin's second-ever punk band...."

Dec. 24, 2021 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Ex-Punk Author, DIY or Die Forever

Test-driving the newest iBooks Author app (bumps ahead)

"...Texas Coffee Traders. Plus, they get songs by the Skunks and a live video of us playing "Earthquake Shake"..."

March 2, 2012 Screens Feature by Jesse Sublett

Off the Record

A personal introduction to 'The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology'

"...general manager of Austin City Limits, among others. The Skunks..."

March 4, 2011 Music Column by Austin Powell

Urban Coyotes: Meet the neighbors

Keeping coyotes at bay without messing with the ecosystem

"...and before the "R" word sets off another panic, skunks and bats are greater rabies threats than coyotes.) Coyotes..."

May 2, 2008 News Feature by Melissa Gaskill

Willie Graham

Live shots

"...No opening, no welcome, no “We’re the Skunks.” Just rip-roaring riffs opening “All Tied Up” as onetime..."

July 1, 2005 Music Review by Jim Caligiuri

Sheet Music

"...the amplified rush of performance. As leader of the Skunks, Sublett became an instrumental figure in the burgeoning late-Seventies..."

May 28, 2004 Music Feature by Greg Beets

'Never the Same Again'

Jesse Sublett's 'Rock 'n' Roll Gothic': an excerpt

"..."I used to have a band called the Skunks," I said. "Maybe that's it."..."

May 7, 2004 Books Feature

Songwriters and Spirit Chasers

Resentments Jon Dee Graham and Stephen Bruton go mano a mano about their new albums.

"...from South Texas, it was for music. First, the Skunks, then the True Believers. Did you come in as..."

Feb. 22, 2002 Music Feature by Margaret Moser

Lust for Life

Ahhh … the good old daze

"...vivid images of its audience. New Wave darlings the Skunks played our wedding reception at Soap Creek...."

Aug. 11, 2000 Music Feature by Margaret Moser

Patti Smith: “I don’t claim to be a progenitor of any particular movement – I just did my work”

Ever-evolving singer, writer, & artist communes at ACL Live Saturday

"...1978 evening at Raul’s at which she joined the Skunks onstage in an improvisation, centered around the instant refrain,..."

May 2, 2022 Music Post by Tim Stegall

The Forgotten Era of Glitter Rock in Mid-70s Austin

The Austin Punk Chronicles, chapter two, part one: glam rock (1972-76)

"...back then," demurs Eddie Munoz, guitar hero for the Skunks' original lineup before moving on to Los Angeles and..."

Jan. 17, 2020 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Margaret Moser Tribute: Jon Dee Graham

A champion of Austin music – and Austin music writers

"...at Raul's for sure, and it was at a Skunks show, so it must have been late 1978. I..."

June 30, 2017 Music Feature by William Harries Graham

Austin Punk Pioneer Steve Marsh Climbs the Star Ladder

Ex-Terminal Mind vocalist explores outré galaxies in Evil Triplet

"...populated other seminal Austin DIY concerns, such as the Skunks. That followed Greg's stint in the Big Boys. Marsh..."

Feb. 10, 2017 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

Flush Twice

Revisiting ‘Never the Same Again” in the Chemo Lounge

"...as befits his continued status as leader of the Skunks. The Skunks and the Violators (with Sublett, Carla Olsen,..."

May 30, 2013 Music Post by Margaret Moser

Margaret Moser's Birthday Bash

May 12, 2013. 46 photos.

"...The Skunks’ Jesse Sublett..."

May 13, 2013 Photo Gallery

One Big Guitar

The return of the True Believers

"...from San Francisco, Jon Dee Graham's punk trio the Skunks ruled locally, and drummer Rey Washam cut his teeth..."

Feb. 22, 2013 Music Feature by Tim Stegall

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