For Danny…
Posted by Cindy on August 8th, 2007
Danny wrote: “Speaking of Austin music, does ANYONE know if Prescott Curlywolf – who may be my all-time favorite band of Texas origin – still exists or has plans to exist or…something? Their MySpace page doesn’t say a whole hell of a lot, and I can’t find jack about them online that was written within the past few years. Not even friggin’ Wikipedia has a listing for them.”
“Rob Bernard, who also plays with the greatness that is The Damnations (another band that isn’t terribly good at staying active except in spurts), is simply amazing.”
“Cindy – Any chance I could cajole or bribe you into doing some quick investigation from your neck of the woods on the wherabouts of P-Wolf and/or the damn Damnations…? “
One Mississippi has turned into exactly what they had hoped it could be. A song writing collaborative of friends from mutually admired bands, whose intentions were to simply write good songs and record them. With that goal in mind, and two years of rotating members, One Mississippi is nearing completion of an album and has begun playing their songs at Austin clubs for the curious, more familiar with their other musical projects.
Robert Bernard and Ron Byrd have worked together for over 10 years in their band Prescott Curlywolf. Curlywolf has been on extended hiatus since drummer Chris Deener moved to New Jersey. But rather than trying to replace Deener, the logical approach was to explore song writing with different musicians in order to stretch the dynamic and avoid stagnation.
Alex Livingston of Grand Champeen shares songwriting duties and plays bass in both bands. Conrad Chouchron has played drums with Bernard in the Damnations and Mandible but is also well known for his work as a session drummer on countless projects. What resulted was simple chemistry and great songwriting. The flavor ranges from 70�s riff-rock to the sloppy pop, reminiscent of both Champeen and Curlywolf. One Mississippi songs released on Almost There’s Turn 1 and Turn 2 compilations received standout mention and show promise for what lies ahead for this group of rock veterans who chose to stir the pot.
The only thing I can find on the Damnations is the below mp3. But I ain’t done lookin’ just yet…
“New Hope Cemetary.mp3″ by the Damnations
Prescott Curlywolf on MySpace
Mandible on MySpace
Grand Champeen on MySpace
One Mississippi on MySpace
August 8th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Awesome! You kick so much ass…
Actually, I think the Damnations may still have a website. I’d check myself, but workplace internet Nazis prevent me from doing so. (Though, how I’m still able to see this site is a mystery.) Anyway, you might try http://www.thedamnationstx.com. Last time I checked there it said something about a new album for ’07, with little elaboration. Typically vague.
If you’ve never heard them, though, I HIGHLY recommend the Damnations if you have even the slightest tolerance for alt-country kinda stuff. Both of their full-length albums are among my favorites from any genre (or locale) and always accompany me on any extended road trip.* And they’re absolutely enthralling to see live.
Muchas gracias, mi amiga!
(*May sound like an odd comment, but I take my road trips SERIOUSLY. One of the most important aspects to any decent road trip is the music you choose to pack along with you. I have a pretty much set-in-stone collection of artists that make every journey with me – variety’s an important detail – and the Damnations are one of them. I could reel off an enormous list of dee-liciously memorable road trip moments in my life thus far…made possible by nothing more than the perfectly accidental or accidentally perfect combination of music and visuals. But, as is my tendency, I digress…)
August 8th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Oh god, what sort of music am I in for on our trip to Austin this weekend? Please don’t play any more Bjork than is absolutely necessary, or I will jump out of the truck.
I am planning to make you listen to Morningwood, Hellyeah and even some Amy Winehouse…so be prepared.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I’m making an eight-hour mix CD of nothing but Bjork, Kris Kristofferson, and Public Enemy. You’ll love it.
(PS – Sorry, Cindy, to drag your blog into our personal inside joke…)