The Gourds rose out of Russell and Smith's former band, The Picket Line Coyotes, a hard-working, post-punk Southwestern rock'n'roll band who started in Shreveport, LA, and then migrated to Dallas, TX and eventually Austin. Looking to make music with greater song impact, the two retrenched after the Coyotes broke up as an acoustic outfit called The Grackles, joined by Claude Bernard (brother of Coyote Rob Bernard) on accordion. With the addition of drummer Charlie Llewellin, the informal acoustic combo coalesced into The Gourds. Their rapid rise in the Austin clubs caught the ear of producer/manager Mike Stewart (Poi Dog Pondering), who signed the band to Munich Records. Making what Mix magazine calls "a brilliant first album" with Dem's Good Beeble, the band has garnered press raves on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as a burgeoning legion of fans who dance and sing along with the group's infectious live performances. Since recording Stadium Blitzer, drummer Llewellin has retired from the band. But in the group's typically organic fashion, their circle of friends has yielded his replacement: Keith Langford, who played in Mercury recording act Prescott Curlywolf (with Claude Bernard's brother Rob and former Grackle Ron Byrd) as well as Austin act The Damnations (who frequently share the stage with The Gourds). The addition of multi-instrumentalist as well as singing and songwriting partner Max on previous recording, "Bolsa de Agua" is the gravy on the biscuits.
With
"Shinebox" you'll find Max's singing as well as dobro playing
on Nils Lofgren's "Everybody's Missing The Sun" as well as "Dooley."
Kevin's familiar thick as molasses drawl that'll bend your heart in two
is featured on a version of "Two Girls" that'd make Townes van
Zandt proud. He goes further to evoke everything that anyone who's ever
had to face all they had to run away from in Billy Joe Shaver's "Omaha."
Jimmy comes a jugstomping out on "Jone's Oh Jones" a humorous
and playful version of the traditional song. Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust"
as well as Snoop Doggy Dogg's "Gin & Juice" are carried
over from the original incarnation "Gogitchyershinebox" as well
as some originals to flesh the whole thing out.
"Shinebox" is a perfect example of who The Gourds are and where
they come from. Eclectic, eccentric and drawing on all senses. From punk
to hip-hop to blues to country & western, it's all here woven together
in an indescribable musical landscape as only they can. A not to be missed
collection for old and new Gourds fans alike.
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