Arc Angels

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Arc Angels are a blues rock band formed in Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. The band was comprised of guitarist and singers Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton and two former members of Stevie Ray Vaughan's band Double Trouble, drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon. According to Bob Meredith of All Music Guide the "ARC" in the band's name came from the Austin Rehearsal Complex where the band first started jamming before releasing their 1992 debut album. The album, Arc Angels, met with critical approval and managed to hit #127 on the Billboard charts. On Tuesday, June 9, 1992, the Arc Angels made their network television debut on the NBC show "Late Night with David Letterman" where they performed "Living In A Dream". On Wednesday, January 6, 1993, they again performed on Letterman's show; this time playing "Too Many Ways to Fall".

Bramhall's heroin addiction and general discontent within the group forced the band to decline the opening slot for The Black Crowes' High As The Moon Tour in the summer of 1993.^{[citation needed]} The Arc Angels subsequently broke up in October of that year, concluding their run with a series of farewell concerts at Austin's Backyard outdoor venue. Beginning in 2002, the Arc Angels have since reunited for occasional live performances. [1]

In recent years, Bramhall has played guitar in Eric Clapton's band and toured with Roger Waters. Charlie Sexton has toured with Bob Dylan. Meanwhile, Layton and Shannon have recorded three albums with the Texas soul quintet Storyville. They have also backed such artists as Buddy Guy and John Mayer.

Since a reunion earlier this year in Austin at Antone's in May, the Arc Angels continue to play together. Their most recent gig was December 29, 2007 at Antone's.