Chapter 2: Fuck Ya'll! I'm From Texas To reflect on our last entry, Texas was and still is a huge influence and impact on my musical development and that music in Texas has evolved and been created due the atmosphere and culture Texas breeds amongst its residents. Having identified that, over the years I have begun to learn more about Texas artists, the musical roots of Texas, and the degree on which Texas has affected musical development nationally and globally.
To start let’s just got back to Lubbock, Texas in the 1950’s. Lubbock aint really much, its dusty, the water tastes horrible, and it is home to Texas Tech (boooooo). None of those things really matter though when you look at the influence it’s had on rock n roll with the creation of the Lubbock sound. It was here that the infamous Buddy Holly and the Crickets got their start. It was here in Lubbock, Texas that the classic rock band lineup of 2 guitarists, bass player, and a drummer was solidified by Mr. Holly before his untimely death. The sound created by Buddy Holly was highly influential, and the blend of country roots with the burgeoning rock n roll sound was embraced by a national audience. Even those Britt’s thought pretty highly of this setup, just look at the Beatles and Stones who were highly influenced by Holly. Buddy Holly’s legacy and impact was later captured in the song “American Pie” aka the day the music died, a song detailing the author’s emotions the day Mr. Holly, fellow Texan the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash. As the Crickets went on without Mr. Holly they wrote a little song called “I Fought the Law”, which was adopted by fellow Texas Bob Fuller and went on to gain national acclaim and furthering Texas’ mark on Rock n Roll.
Most people who don’t know much about Texas music probably assume that its main area of expertise in in the realm of Country music, and while we have so much more, I would be lying if I denied how influential this state has been on Country artists. Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys may be the most important country figure to emerge from the bountiful Country music scene. Who is Bob Wills you ask?? Well I should not have to tell you, and it infuriates me that I do, but tell I shall. Bob Wills was the creator of the Western Swing sound which went on to influence generations of country musicians to follow, and also jazz, rock n roll, big band, and of course swing. He was the first to introduce instruments such as steel guitar, trumpets and other non-traditional instruments into a country based sound, and some of those took prevalent places in bands to come. Bob Wills was a huge influence on Buck Owens, a Texas-born California cowboy who went on to coin the Bakersfield sound. Buck Owens guitarist used the fender telecasters which was a guitar pretty much developed to fit in with the styling of Bob Wills’s music. The Bakersfield sound was a reaction to the polished, orchestral nature that was happening out in Nashville at the time, and was played by the blue-collar types looking for a rawer styling, and they had to look no further than to Mr. Wills for their influence.
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| (The Late, Great Townes Van Zandt) |
That’s the tip of the iceberg for Country. To jump in a bit further we should look at the outlaw country that started to come out of Texas. One of the biggest influences of this movement would have to be Townes Van Zandt. Townes is possibly the best country artist to have graced this Earth, and you can argue with that but you are wrong. Steve Earle once proclaimed that Townes was a better songwriter than Bob Dylan, and while he later revoked his statement because he felt embarrassed, I will stand by that all day long. Townes was a dynamic songwriter, and had a way with words that allowed you to experience what he was going through without ever having been in his shoes. Throughout his life he suffered from bi-polar disorder which in turn led to a life of drug abuse and addiction, and a really sad life for an amazing poet. Townes has been recognized by musicians, critics, fans, and so many more over the past years, and what was once a cult following has grown into a national fan base who adore the music of a genius songwriter. Townes toured and played in small barrooms, dives, and KOC halls his whole life, and he was okay with it. The man loved to play, and he also loved his drugs which affected his later years and his ability to remain steady in his recording and playing. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, and Steve Earle are all musicians who benefited from Townes. Hell, Willie scored a number 1 hit with Townes’ “Pancho and Lefty”. All of these men have gone on to do great things for Texas music, and have brought it into the national spotlight. They have gone on to influence younger generations of country artists throughout the nation. I would challenge you to find someone who does not know Willie Nelson, and if they don’t, slap them in the face. Yes, through Townes and then his successors, Texas Country has left its mark on the world.
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| (Blind Lemon Jefferson) |
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| (Lightnin Hopkins) |
The blues are a music that were developed mainly in the south starting around Mississippi, then over to New Orleans, up to Chicago, and around the beginning of the 20th century, out to Texas. I could not talk about Texas music without mentioning the likes of Lightin Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, T Bone Walker, Blind Willie Johnson, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Texas Blues had its own sound. Definitely rooted in the Mississippi Delta style, but relies a bit more on guitar improv and licks to fill the gaps. Blind Lemon Jefferson incorporated jazz into his styling which led to this use of improv. A lot of the Texas bluespeople had a kick of swing in their sound too. Stevie Ray Vaughn may be the best known due to his recent popularity from the 1980's to the present. He took the Texas blues style to a new level with his incorporation of different guitar tones and sounds enhanced by feedback and distortion. Blues. Houston, Texas Legend Lightnin Hopkins was a huge influence on the Texas music scene from the 50's through the 70's. He helped to bridge the gaps between the founders of the Texas Blues and the and coming musicians of the 60's. He gained more national recognition in the blues revival of the 60's along with the likes of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and BB King. Lightnin Hopkins was a mentor to a lot of younger Texas musicians including Townes Van Zandt, the 13th Floor Elevators, Nanci Griffith, and Stevie Ray Vaughn
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| (The 13th Floor Elevators) |
Last post I touched briefly on Mr. Roky Erikson and the 13th Floor Elevators. If you would to ask any expert in the realm of Psychedelic music what the three most important/influential albums of this genre were I would hope they would say: The Beatles ‘Revolver’, The Beach Boys ‘Pet Sounds’, and the 13th Floor Elevators ‘The Psychedelic Sounds of…’. The 13th Floor Elevators were revolutionary for their time and place; they started out as the Lingsmen and were just an ordinary rock band. As time went on they added Roky Erikson on lead guitar and vocals, Tommy Hall on Jug and LSD into their lineup. Tommy Hall’s propensity for the drug aided the bands reputation in Texas, and they were one of the first groups to promote the psychedelic lifestyle. Eventually they made their way up to San Fran, got lost in some drugs, and became a cult act for years to come. They were well respected among their contemporaries and bands continue to draw upon their raw psychedelic power to this day as influence. Bands such as ZZ top, The Allman Brothers, Spacemen 3, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and R.E.M. all pay homage to the Elevators and it shows in their sound. In Texas they have been succeeded by the Black Angels, the Golden Dawn, the Strange Boys, and Trippin Daisy.
My favorite area of Texas Music history is easily the punk realm, and what is not to love. For starters let’s take a look at the funk masters of punk, The Big Boys. Propelled to popularity in the 80’s through their appearance in Thrasher videos, the Big Boys were a site to see. A punk rock band featuring prominent cross-dresser and openly gay singer Randy “Biscuit” Turner was a statement, especially for Texas. I can’t say I had the honor to witness them live, but old-timers say it was amazing. The energy, the focus, the attitude, and the comfort in pushing the punk envelope are what make the Big Boys legacy. A punk band these days would not dare to have a “funk off”, but the big boys did not give a fuck. They were who they were. Bands such as the Minutemen, Fishbone, and early Red Hot Chili Peppers pay influence to them as a major influence. The Dicks were also an openly gay punk band in Texas in the 80’s, two things which were not popular amongst most citizens at the time. Gotta love Texas spearheading the inclusion of LGBT right’s in punk before it was even a thing to do. Here is a whole bunch of Big Boy's videos, enjoy!
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| (The Butthole Surfers) |
On the weird tip you had The Butthole Surfers. The best part about the early 80’s was the weirdest noise group fit right in with the punk scene. Butthole Surfers are a punk band, and that is because they do their own thing in a way only they can. Musically they definitely at times have a punk influence, but you then combine that with heavy doses of psychedlia, loud angry sounding noises, and electronic bits and you get a glimpse in the Butthole Surfers. A friend the other night in a debate over the merit of Pink Floyd stated, “When you had the Butthole Surfers to listen to growing up, Pink Floyd did not impress you on the psych end of things”. While I do enjoy Floyd, there is validity in that statement.
The other Texas punk band that needs mentioning is DRI. These crazy men loved to play fast and dirty. They definitely hold their place in the punk hall of fame for their influence on the thrash and crossover genres. This band took the speed and rawness of punk and added in some of the technicality and heaviness of metal to blend into a perfect sound that too many bands have failed at trying to emulate. Along with Suicidal Tendencies and Corrosion of Conformity, they would have to be possibly the most popular of bands that appealed to both metal and punk crowds back in the 80’s and even to this day. They skipped out to Cali though, but they made a return to the homeland. Honorable Mentions: MDC (skipped out to Cali), Verbal Abuse, The Offenders, Really Red, The Skunks, and The Fearless Iranians from Hell
I am not a big fan of Houston, or even most Texas based rap. I can dig the Geto Boys, UGK depending on the album, and certain songs from other artists. Over the years we have turned out such horrible artists as Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Lil’ Flip. I am sure there are more, but I don’t really care to know any of them. I do prefer my hip-hop from out of state artists. All that said, I cannot deny the influence of DJ Screw in the rap community. The chopped and screwed thing influenced a young generation of artists, and not really for the better or for the worse. DJ Screw was great at what he did, it is the reason he was named a Texas Music Pioneer by Rick Perry, it is the reason that “Skrewston” is a common nickname for Houston, it is a huge reason that the purple drank became so popular in the southern rap community (besides that it makes you feel real nice and slooooooow), Dj Screw had an enormous impact that spread to a more national level following his death in 2000. I remember hearing screwed rap when I was 14 and liking it, and hearing it again recently and still not liking it. I don’t get it and that’s ok, I respect Dj Screw for what he did. I do not though give a rat’s ass about the rest of these Texas rappers who are not inventive, and just played out. The dirty south is cheesy, and I have not found an artist to really convince me otherwise. Geto Boys though are awesome, Mind of a Lunatic
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| (Explosions in the Sky) |
We could go on for a while about Texas music. I know we skipped over modern day Austin and its indie experimental scene, and while there is a lot of good stuff coming out of that scene, I feel Explosions in the Sky are really the only band to be a major influence on others or to have helped to pioneer a subgenre. Texas music history is rich with so many different bands, and so many that you may never hear if you are only looking to clear channel for your musical diet. Especially if you live or were born in Texas, know your states roots and be proud of what is has produced. Music is probably the best aspect of this states legacy, well maybe behind Tacos. Tacos are delicious.
SFMTC Vol. 8 - Chaos in Tejas - Chapter 2: Fuck Ya'll! I'm From Texas
01. At the Drive In - Arcarsenal
02. Big Mama Thornton - I'm Feeling Alright
03. Willie Nelson - Sweet Bye and Bye
04. Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run
05. Bun B & Middlefingaz - Texas (chopped & screwed)
06. George Jones - Color of the Blues
07. Toadies - Backslider
08. Lightin Hopkins - Devil is Watching You
09. Okkervil River - Listening to Otis Redding at Home Alone on Xmas
10. The Golden Dawn - Starvation 11. Billy Joe Shaver - West Texas Waltz
12. The Skunks - Hurt
13. Edgar Winter - We All Had a Real Good Time
14. Pat Green - Texas On My Mind
15. Explosions in the Sky - The Moon Is Down
16. The Dicks - Rich Daddy
17. Blind Willie Johnson - The Rain Don't Fall on Me
18. Conqueroo - Words Are not as Strange
19. Middlefinger - Fingernap20. Roy Orbison - Candy Man
21. Far From Breaking - See Right Through
22. Spoon - Don't Let It Get You Down
23. Guy Clark - Texas - 1947
24. MDC - Multi-Death Corporation
25. Devin the Dude - Doobie Ashtray
26. Dead Horse - Cod Piece Face
27. Steve Earle - Home to Houston
28. The Polyphonic Spree - Hanging Around
29. Mammoth Grinder - Sick and Rotting
30. The Red Krayola - the Parable of Arable Land31. Nanci Griffith - Tower Song (Townes Cover)
32. Iron Age - Younger Earth
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