Anachronism: "A chronological inconsistency, or the act of placing something in the wrong time period." Rarely does a rock act have their pic accompany a definition in the OED! Time for The Shakedown!
Thanks so much, Ellen, for reading, enjoying, and cross-posting! Just for you, here's a pic of Tyler & Elvis from last January (the former, apparently, recently recorded with Mr. C....I'm guessing producing some sides....this article just wasn't big enough! Look how happy Tyler is...his smile's 'bout to break his face)! Hard to know just which of the two to be more envious of!! https://www.instagram.com/thetylerbryant/p/C2q5K7oAa20/?img_index=1
Clearly, Tyler's prodigious talents are getting around.
Aw! These kids deserve it, put in the years mastering the craft and developing their chops, and it shows. Does my heart good seeing the young'uns rocking down and keeping the flame alive.
Kinda the reason we do this, Mark! Thanks! I'm so thankful for Christopher's audio tip, and, as you well know, when one is inspired by music in general, or a new song, in particular, I can't write fast enough!! What an astounding talent Tyler is, and what a treat it would be to spend a couple hours with him! And, to follow his career!
Working on a new "Yacht Pop Anchors" for this Friday that I think might scratch where you musically itch....with 3 songs! Stay tuned!🎶😁👍
Those are fun, 'cause they come from my head...the relentless '70s (mostly) promos I'd acquire that no one else heard, 'cause they got no radio play! Hint for this Friday: One song's from the '70s, one's from the '80s, and the third was released just 5 days before January 1, 1980, a date that was just 3 weeks from my move from Houston to L.A.!
This was fantastic. I didn't know the band. Man can they play and sing. I was stunned by the sound, their musicality, their sense of rhythm (the stuff they're doing is, as you all know, a lot more complex than it seems). I need a moment to recover from their pitch-perfect harmonies! Where do they come from? (Rhetorical question, as Brad always tells us the whole story with his Audio Autopsies, leaving no stones unturned).
I also loved reading about Christopher's experience, especially how he discovered them pretty much by chance. I can imagine the feeling of going to a show at the Hard Rock Cafe, not really knowing what to expect, and then... BOOM! being blown away by their musicianship and stage presence. Mind-shattering. It's crazy because if he hadn't been bored studying, he wouldn't have searched for bands/shows to see, if they hadn't been scheduled to play so close to where he was, if it had been another band, if he hadn't managed to get tickets... All the factors that intervened to make this discovery possible are proof that it was, as they say, meant to be!
Isn't it great when music transcends generational divides. Amazing work, guys!
Thanks, Andy! We're still in the month I discovered them from Christopher's Note! I still remember going, "Hmmm, OK, Tyler Who and the Whats?" I figured it'd be just another mush-mouth metal band or lickety-split punk band.
After a few bars, and they get into it......"I'm sorry.......what?!?!" I, literally, started writing the piece then and there....at least, looking stuff up for my own edification, and making sure I made note of where I found many of the pix and quotes you see! I tried to make the piece as if you're discovering them as I am.....'cause we were! I was troubled early on, 'cause it didn't seem chronological, or any other way of "proper order"! I settled on, "Let's do this together, and just see who they are by how it all unfolds!"
My "upbringing" (Dad's promos, etc) helped me land, immediately, on early-'70s Wet Willie. Despite one or two cursory "hits," no one really know them, but The Shakedown seemed to hit many of WW's boogie/swampy notes! Black Crowes (although I never listened to them beyond their hit) seemed an obvious "descendant," too! Aerosmith was, of course, was the simplest to peg as an influence.
Look for one of my replies to Ellen: I left a link to a pic of Tyler and Elvis C. It was on Insta, where they won't let you copy'n'paste pix from...so look for the link to the page! Kid's gettin' around, and getting attention from some of the 20th century heavyweights! I'm proud to say Tyler's a fellow native Texan!
He'll be fun to stay plugged into along the way, too!
I loved the way you structured it. It wasn’t messy at all. You included references and context as you always do for the benefit of the reader. It really feels like we are discovering the band in unison.
Yes, so many influences, that’s true. I think this is one of those bands which manage to recapture the sound of an era and give it a whole new meaning.
I’ll check out the links you mention.
Yes, Lone Star all the way! You guys know how to raise good musicians! There must be something in the air… or in Tex-Mex cuisine!
"Discovering the band in unison" is what I ultimately fell back on. I also realized, early on, this was such a new perspective for me! When I write about the bands I know so much about from any of the 4 decades on which I generally focus ('60s-'90s), I've got personal points of reference out the wazoo, and chronology just falls into place!
This was so much fun, just 'cause it's like stumbling across a band like I did in the '70s....hear them, do rock mag research (sans 'net!), see them live, and go from there. The only difference is that 50 years ago, I wasn't writing about the bands I found and loved.....until now!
You're right about the Tex-Mex.....when you're here, we must go by any Torchy's Tacos place, and have their chips'n' queso! Queso so good, I could use a straw (and, likely have)!, but we'll just use their corn chips! I'll send you a pic via DM! We'll also stop by Andy's Frozen Custard, too, if we're able!
Yes, I totally see what you mean. It goes to show this band touched fibres most new bands can’t even reach… so glad you put pen to paper!
Oh yes please! Count me in! Tex Mex food is something for which I would go into the trouble of making an allowance in my daily calorie “budget” (yes, I do this kind of thing). I normally have a very strict diet, but there are a couple of meals for which I’ll either make an exception, or make sure I account for it beforehand so I can plan accordingly. Pizza is one of them. Tex Mex as well. There aren’t that many more!
Damn good guitarist! Thankful rock and roll is making a comeback. My new term I penned in my Lemon Twigs part 2…”old soul young man rock and roll.”🤘🏼 🎸
Thanks, Sintija! Deep bows in the direction of Christopher, who first introduced me to him and them!
Tyler has done the nigh-impossible: Made me feel 16 again, and wish I could buy one of their tickets at my nearest Houston-area Concerts West-promoted shows! I'll be posting this on FB (he's there), and see if I can "smoke him out" for an interview or sumpin'! I'm happy you dug this!
Great article, and a band I had not heard before. Absolutely, brought back vibes from my college years. Brad, you have a great ear for identifying influences and references--I hear all the bands you mentioned in these clips. Cool that they can channel so many different "sounds". I particularly love that live clip from Nashville--great guitar work. Thanks Ellen for reposting that and also for the shout-out!
Nice one! I've discovered quite a rich vein of these "classic-style" kinds of bands coming into notice in the past 2 years. It's heartening; as I've been in one for five now (Bessemer Saints); and up until recently, we really felt kind of alone in what we're doing. The next thing is, these guys gotta get free of the HoB / Live Nation plantation and start playing other venues that will actually get them more fans. HoBs are a "closed circuit" system that locks out the rest of a city's rock n' roll culture, including the large majority of people into live music. Put them at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland where I'm from, otoh, + they'll progress to sold-out shows over the course of 3-4 trips, as word will circulate among the culture that knows to gather there. That doesn't happen with HoB; the bands that tour through there are just wallpaper to the HoB "brand", most of the time, + little is done to help those bands grow.
Thanks, Shaggy! You're right.....with your Bessemer Saints and Tyler's band (and some I'm sure I'm not aware of!), we may just have a pendulum shift...and, not a moment too soon!
I feel ya on the chain blockade by the likes of the HoBs of the world. I had a brief peek at the more positive side of that chain-room dynamic. For a couple decades (up until the turn of the century when her failing health and 9/11 resulting fall-out started to pinch her biz), some of the rooms my mom would book, nationwide, for singles, duos, and cover groups, would be Best Western properties, and while franchised, it still seemed to help her get into one having had success in others.
Part of that 9/11 fall-out was the importing of new overseas proprietors, who'd "take over" properties like BW, and immediately do away with live entertainment, save money on payring acts (as well as F&B directors who'd do the bookings), and operate on a bare-bones budget...supplanting live entertainment with a jukebox, a TV or two to effect a "sports bar" vibe, or do a karaoke night or two!
It would be great if millennial kids could have more than just Ms. Swift, and any number of foul-mouthed rappers/strippers to grow up with and be inspired by!
Wow, these guys are great and what a heartwarming story.
Love "Don't Mind the Blood" and "Happy Gets Made." The backup singing by Ruthie Foster on the latter is also a wow, must explore her further.
More proof that rock is not a dead or dying art form, new gens are making it their own.
Thanks so much, Ellen, for reading, enjoying, and cross-posting! Just for you, here's a pic of Tyler & Elvis from last January (the former, apparently, recently recorded with Mr. C....I'm guessing producing some sides....this article just wasn't big enough! Look how happy Tyler is...his smile's 'bout to break his face)! Hard to know just which of the two to be more envious of!! https://www.instagram.com/thetylerbryant/p/C2q5K7oAa20/?img_index=1
Clearly, Tyler's prodigious talents are getting around.
Aw! These kids deserve it, put in the years mastering the craft and developing their chops, and it shows. Does my heart good seeing the young'uns rocking down and keeping the flame alive.
Really good one today. Thanks, Brad!
Thank you, Jim! Mad props to Christopher for getting this ball rolling!
This was fantastic, thanks Brad!
Kinda the reason we do this, Mark! Thanks! I'm so thankful for Christopher's audio tip, and, as you well know, when one is inspired by music in general, or a new song, in particular, I can't write fast enough!! What an astounding talent Tyler is, and what a treat it would be to spend a couple hours with him! And, to follow his career!
Working on a new "Yacht Pop Anchors" for this Friday that I think might scratch where you musically itch....with 3 songs! Stay tuned!🎶😁👍
Looking forward to your next Yacht Pop Anchors!!
Those are fun, 'cause they come from my head...the relentless '70s (mostly) promos I'd acquire that no one else heard, 'cause they got no radio play! Hint for this Friday: One song's from the '70s, one's from the '80s, and the third was released just 5 days before January 1, 1980, a date that was just 3 weeks from my move from Houston to L.A.!
This was fantastic. I didn't know the band. Man can they play and sing. I was stunned by the sound, their musicality, their sense of rhythm (the stuff they're doing is, as you all know, a lot more complex than it seems). I need a moment to recover from their pitch-perfect harmonies! Where do they come from? (Rhetorical question, as Brad always tells us the whole story with his Audio Autopsies, leaving no stones unturned).
I also loved reading about Christopher's experience, especially how he discovered them pretty much by chance. I can imagine the feeling of going to a show at the Hard Rock Cafe, not really knowing what to expect, and then... BOOM! being blown away by their musicianship and stage presence. Mind-shattering. It's crazy because if he hadn't been bored studying, he wouldn't have searched for bands/shows to see, if they hadn't been scheduled to play so close to where he was, if it had been another band, if he hadn't managed to get tickets... All the factors that intervened to make this discovery possible are proof that it was, as they say, meant to be!
Isn't it great when music transcends generational divides. Amazing work, guys!
Thanks, Andy! We're still in the month I discovered them from Christopher's Note! I still remember going, "Hmmm, OK, Tyler Who and the Whats?" I figured it'd be just another mush-mouth metal band or lickety-split punk band.
After a few bars, and they get into it......"I'm sorry.......what?!?!" I, literally, started writing the piece then and there....at least, looking stuff up for my own edification, and making sure I made note of where I found many of the pix and quotes you see! I tried to make the piece as if you're discovering them as I am.....'cause we were! I was troubled early on, 'cause it didn't seem chronological, or any other way of "proper order"! I settled on, "Let's do this together, and just see who they are by how it all unfolds!"
My "upbringing" (Dad's promos, etc) helped me land, immediately, on early-'70s Wet Willie. Despite one or two cursory "hits," no one really know them, but The Shakedown seemed to hit many of WW's boogie/swampy notes! Black Crowes (although I never listened to them beyond their hit) seemed an obvious "descendant," too! Aerosmith was, of course, was the simplest to peg as an influence.
Look for one of my replies to Ellen: I left a link to a pic of Tyler and Elvis C. It was on Insta, where they won't let you copy'n'paste pix from...so look for the link to the page! Kid's gettin' around, and getting attention from some of the 20th century heavyweights! I'm proud to say Tyler's a fellow native Texan!
He'll be fun to stay plugged into along the way, too!
I loved the way you structured it. It wasn’t messy at all. You included references and context as you always do for the benefit of the reader. It really feels like we are discovering the band in unison.
Yes, so many influences, that’s true. I think this is one of those bands which manage to recapture the sound of an era and give it a whole new meaning.
I’ll check out the links you mention.
Yes, Lone Star all the way! You guys know how to raise good musicians! There must be something in the air… or in Tex-Mex cuisine!
"Discovering the band in unison" is what I ultimately fell back on. I also realized, early on, this was such a new perspective for me! When I write about the bands I know so much about from any of the 4 decades on which I generally focus ('60s-'90s), I've got personal points of reference out the wazoo, and chronology just falls into place!
This was so much fun, just 'cause it's like stumbling across a band like I did in the '70s....hear them, do rock mag research (sans 'net!), see them live, and go from there. The only difference is that 50 years ago, I wasn't writing about the bands I found and loved.....until now!
You're right about the Tex-Mex.....when you're here, we must go by any Torchy's Tacos place, and have their chips'n' queso! Queso so good, I could use a straw (and, likely have)!, but we'll just use their corn chips! I'll send you a pic via DM! We'll also stop by Andy's Frozen Custard, too, if we're able!
Yes, I totally see what you mean. It goes to show this band touched fibres most new bands can’t even reach… so glad you put pen to paper!
Oh yes please! Count me in! Tex Mex food is something for which I would go into the trouble of making an allowance in my daily calorie “budget” (yes, I do this kind of thing). I normally have a very strict diet, but there are a couple of meals for which I’ll either make an exception, or make sure I account for it beforehand so I can plan accordingly. Pizza is one of them. Tex Mex as well. There aren’t that many more!
🍕😛!
🌮🇺🇸🇲🇽
Damn good guitarist! Thankful rock and roll is making a comeback. My new term I penned in my Lemon Twigs part 2…”old soul young man rock and roll.”🤘🏼 🎸
Omg, what an amazing music discovery! Thank you soooo much ! Love this!
Thanks, Sintija! Deep bows in the direction of Christopher, who first introduced me to him and them!
Tyler has done the nigh-impossible: Made me feel 16 again, and wish I could buy one of their tickets at my nearest Houston-area Concerts West-promoted shows! I'll be posting this on FB (he's there), and see if I can "smoke him out" for an interview or sumpin'! I'm happy you dug this!
Great article, and a band I had not heard before. Absolutely, brought back vibes from my college years. Brad, you have a great ear for identifying influences and references--I hear all the bands you mentioned in these clips. Cool that they can channel so many different "sounds". I particularly love that live clip from Nashville--great guitar work. Thanks Ellen for reposting that and also for the shout-out!
Nice one! I've discovered quite a rich vein of these "classic-style" kinds of bands coming into notice in the past 2 years. It's heartening; as I've been in one for five now (Bessemer Saints); and up until recently, we really felt kind of alone in what we're doing. The next thing is, these guys gotta get free of the HoB / Live Nation plantation and start playing other venues that will actually get them more fans. HoBs are a "closed circuit" system that locks out the rest of a city's rock n' roll culture, including the large majority of people into live music. Put them at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland where I'm from, otoh, + they'll progress to sold-out shows over the course of 3-4 trips, as word will circulate among the culture that knows to gather there. That doesn't happen with HoB; the bands that tour through there are just wallpaper to the HoB "brand", most of the time, + little is done to help those bands grow.
Thanks, Shaggy! You're right.....with your Bessemer Saints and Tyler's band (and some I'm sure I'm not aware of!), we may just have a pendulum shift...and, not a moment too soon!
I feel ya on the chain blockade by the likes of the HoBs of the world. I had a brief peek at the more positive side of that chain-room dynamic. For a couple decades (up until the turn of the century when her failing health and 9/11 resulting fall-out started to pinch her biz), some of the rooms my mom would book, nationwide, for singles, duos, and cover groups, would be Best Western properties, and while franchised, it still seemed to help her get into one having had success in others.
Part of that 9/11 fall-out was the importing of new overseas proprietors, who'd "take over" properties like BW, and immediately do away with live entertainment, save money on payring acts (as well as F&B directors who'd do the bookings), and operate on a bare-bones budget...supplanting live entertainment with a jukebox, a TV or two to effect a "sports bar" vibe, or do a karaoke night or two!
It would be great if millennial kids could have more than just Ms. Swift, and any number of foul-mouthed rappers/strippers to grow up with and be inspired by!