Galactic Cowboys

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Galactic Cowboys
Origin Houston, Texas, United States
Genre(s) Heavy metal
Progressive metal
Years active 1989 – 2000
Label(s) Geffen Records
Metal Blade Records
Website Official website
Former members
Monty Colvin
Ben Huggins
Alan Doss
Wally Farkas
Dane Sonnier

Galactic Cowboys was a heavy metal band based in Houston, Texas. They combined progressive metal with a style of vocals influenced by The Beatles and the heavy playing style of thrash bands such as Anthrax. They have been described as "possibly the most melodic metal band ever to exist in Christian or general markets."[1] Although the band members subscribed to the Christian faith, they did not consider the Galactic Cowboys to be a Christian band.[2]

The band has toured with prominent hard rock acts such as Anthrax, Dream Theater, King's X and Overkill.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

Galactic Cowboys was formed in 1989 in Houston, Texas by bassist Monty Colvin and singer drummer Alan Doss, after being together in The Awful Truth. After that band broke up, they added singer Ben Huggins and guitarist Dane Sonnier.

In 1990, the band was signed to DGC and released their self-titled debut album in 1991. Despite some favorable criticism, the band was ignored by the label due to the success of Nirvana's Nevermind during that same time. After poor sales and some touring, they returned to the studio and released Space In Your Face in 1993. Space... was the band's break into the general market.[1] The album garnered some minor hits for the band with "If I Were A Killer" and "I Do What I Do", both of which received regular airplay at MTV and the now-defunct radio station ZROCK respectively. At this point, the band was dropped from DGC, parted ways with manager Sam Taylor, and guitarist Dane Sonnier left the band.

The band appeared in the 1994 movie Airheads, under the name "Sons of Thunder".[1][4] The one original song they performed for that movie, "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful", is not available anywhere, and only a short excerpt is heard in the movie.[5]

After briefly breaking up, the band reorganized with Wally Farkas on guitars and a new deal with Metal Blade Records, and released their third album, Machine Fish, in 1996. That same year they also released an EP titled Feel The Rage that included some original songs, two covers and two live tracks. In 1997, they followed with The Horse That Bud Bought which was a minor departure into a toned-down style.[1]

At this point, the band recorded what many fans regard as their masterpiece, At The End Of The Day in 1998. This album marked a return to the heavier style featured in previous releases.[1] However, two weeks before the album's release Alan Doss decided to leave the band. Erick Tatuaka was hired to fill in for Doss during their subsequent tour, but was not a member of the band.

In 2000 the band announced the release of their last album titled Let It Go. The album included lead vocal contributions from all members. Most of the drumming duties were handled by Jerry Gaskill (King's X), a good friend of the band.[1]

Besides their original songs, they have recorded cover versions of songs by KISS, Petra and Wings.[6]

As of 2007, the former members of the band continue to be active in the music scene.

[edit] Members

[edit] Monty Colvin

Bassist and backing vocalist for Galactic Cowboys from 1991 until 2000, Monty Colvin embarked on a solo career in 2000 with his band project Crunchy. The first album, All Day Sucker, released in 2001, defined the Crunchy sound as fun, pop punk with a slight heavy guitar edge. On Crunchy's second album, Clown School Dropout, the band was stripped down to Monty playing most of the instruments and bringing in a hired drummer; here Monty added a bit more crunch to the formula. Band influences include the Wildhearts, Cheap Trick, Foo Fighters, and the Ramones, in addition to the aforementioned Galactic Cowboys. The third Crunchy album, Loserville (2007), includes a contribution by Kerry Livgren of Kansas.[7]

Monty is also a cousin of the now deceased Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Glenn Colvin), formerly of the Ramones[8]. Monty's bass also provides a distinct sound which is much evident in Galactic Cowboys' sound.

[edit] Alan Doss

Since leaving the music industry for a while, Alan has involved himself with managing and producing. Most recently, he has served in that capacity for the bands Ashbury Keys and Jambi's Revenge, also contributing instrumental work (notably on keyboards) to the outputs of those bands.

[edit] Ben Huggins

Ben's musical activities of late have included recording and playing with his new band Gristle, in addition to guest appearances with artists such as The Phlegmatics. A Gristle album is expected to be released in 2007.

[edit] Wally Farkas

Wally has worked as a distributor for hip hop artists in the Houston area. He teamed with Ty Tabor of King's X to release an ambient album under the name Xenuphobe in 2006. Recently, he established a new record label, Molken Music for a handful of artists with which he has had prior connections.

Wally also just co-produced and played guitar on the upcoming solo disc from Doug Pinnick of King's X, Strum Sum Up.

[edit] Dane Sonnier

Since leaving Galactic Cowboys, Dane has kept involved in the music world, most notably in The Sonnier Brothers Band, the band he formed with his brother Len.[9]

[edit] Band members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Music videos

Music videos were produced for the following songs:[10]

  • "Evil Twin"
  • "Fear Not"
  • "Feel The Rage"
  • "I'm Not Amused"
  • "If I Were a Killer"
  • "Nothing To Say"

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Galactic Cowboys", Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, First printing, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 353-354. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 
  2. ^ Galactic Cowboys FAQ items #6, #7
  3. ^ Breez, Bay. "Monty Colvin (interview)", Music Mayhem, January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  4. ^ Galactic Cowboys FAQ item #23
  5. ^ van Pelt, Doug. "Airheads (review)", HM. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  6. ^ Galactic Cowboys FAQ item #26
  7. ^ Callaway, Chris. "Mini Reviews", Westworld (Denver), 1 November 2007. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  8. ^ Olson, Chad. "Crunchy - Monty Colvin interview", HM, 2003. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  9. ^ Sonnier Brothers Band: Dane Sonnier biography
  10. ^ Galactic Cowboys FAQ item #34

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links