Austin Sound

We’re not sure exactly why the Statesman was shocked this week to announce that the South Austin Jug Band is cashing in its chips, at least for the time being. The talented stringers, while always commanding a popular following here in Austin, have been increasingly moving on to other projects - the band has had any number of lineups with only frontman James Hyland remaining the constant core. Still, we’ll guarantee one helluva a send off show at Momo’s for their final local engagement on New Year’s Eve. (We also won’t be surprised when some form of the band reunites to make some major performance money within the next few years).

Danny Young was an incomparable fixture of Austin. From his former restaurant the Texicalli Grille on Oltorf to his fantastic rubboard with the Cornell Hurd Band, Young embodied the spirit of South Austin. Sadly, the Statesman is reporting today that Young passed away Wednesday of a heart attack at age 67.

The Chronicle’s Off the Record this morning has finally nailed down the rumors that Horse Plus Donkey is calling it quits. Officially, it’s an indefinite hiatus, but yeah, we’ve heard that line before. No, No, really, it’s me, not you! Anyway, the break was precipitated by Jaime Zuverza’s moving to Chicago where he’ll focus primarily on his art of the visual variety. Oliver Valdez and Luis Martinez will reportedly still be working on some music projects here, but it’s unclear right now what that might look like.

Houston blues legend Calvin Owens, a trumpet player, conductor, and arranger best known for his tenure as B.B. King’s bandleader in the 1950s, 70s, and 80s, and for his successful solo career thereafter, died on Thursday from his home in Houston. He was 78 years old.

Owens is widely considered to be one of the blues’ finest trumpeters. Born in Houston, Texas in 1929, Owens was raised in the city’s Fifth Ward, where he took lessons from Charles “Papa Charlie” Lewis. The young boy who would later be called “Maestro” by his fellow musicians went on to become the leader of his high school band and a regular on the Houston area blues scene, at a time when horn players were often the featured soloists in Texas blues bands.

Touring by Amtrack will kill any band

1/8/08
While it’s not much of a surprise, it’s still a damn shame. Tammany Hall Machine, who released their debut Amateur Saw last year, have officially announced the disbandment of the quintet. Well, technically, they’re calling it an “indefinite hiatus,” you know, like Led Zeppelin. They will, however, be giving us one more blowout show on Saturday, January 26, at Ruta Maya. Well, technically, it’s their next to last show, as they’ll be getting back together to play a SXSW showcase come March.

Photo by Walter Pieringer

As we previously reported, Clap!Clap! is calling it quits after nearly four years of playing together. While you’ll have the chance to catch any number of new bands they’ll be splitting into, this Saturday is your last chance to say “Well I saw ‘em when they were still in Clap!Clap!” The indie-cred starts tomorrow at 9:

Clap!Clap!

Photo by Walter Pieringer

11/8/07
The octagonal force that is Clap! Clap! declared in an email announcement yesterday that they would be breaking up at the end of the year. For the past few years, Clap! Clap! has been one of the best live experiences in town, and their debut album, You Love This! was one of our favorite releases this Spring. While we hate to see them pack it in, with so much talent among the eight members, we’re excited to see what they might produce in the future.

9/6/07
This week’s Chronicle confirmed rumors of Sound Team’s parting ways, with Off the Record reporting the group has officially called it quits. They will still play their final show, however, at next week’s ACL Festival.

The past couple of years have been a roller coaster for the group, first signing to major label Capital Records, who released Movie Monster, and then being dropped from the label at the beginning of the year in the corporate shuffle. The group has also endured several lineup reworkings as Sam Sanford and Michael Baird left the group and, most recently, young Sleep Good prodigy Will Patterson was brought in. The group also recently released what was to be the first of several vinyl 7″ inch singles, “Empty Rooms,” which now appears to be their last statement as a band.

Photo by Deana Mason
9/4/07
Carter Albrecht, best known for his work in the 2006 Dallas Observer Music Award winning band for Best Overall Act, Sorta, was shot and killed early yesterday morning in Dallas. According to the Dallas Morning News, the incident occurred after Albrecht had a drunken altercation with his girlfriend, was locked out of her house, and tried to beat down the neighbor’s door. The homeowner, whose name has not been released, shot through the door thinking Albrecht was a burglar, hitting the singer in the head and killing him at the scene. Albrecht’s girlfriend sustained bruises during the domestic dispute, but no serious injuries.

8/21/07
It seems like only last year that we watched the Weary Boys give fans hope for some high-octane continuity as they opened for the Meat Purveryors’ final show. Oh wait, that was only last year! As the Weary Boys prepare to follow suit into the sunset, they’re going to go out in style. It seems the group is planning two full sets for their final Saturday night showdown, one with the current lineup that produced their most recent Coalinga, and a final show with original member Mario Matteoli to close out the evening.