The Gourds

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The Gourds
The Gourds performing in Austin, Texas in 2007
The Gourds performing in Austin, Texas in 2007
Background information
Origin Austin, Texas, USA
Genre(s) Alternative country
Progressive bluegrass
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Munich, Watermelon, Sugar Hill, Eleven Thirty, Yep Roc
Associated acts Picket Line Coyotes
The Grackles
Clocker Redbury and Dusty Slosinger
The Tinys
Kev Russell's Junker
Shinyribs
Website www.thegourds.com
Members
Kevin "Shinyribs" Russell
Jimmy Smith
Claude Bernard
Keith Langford
Max Johnston
Former members
Charlie Llewellin

The Gourds are an American alternative country band, formed in Austin, Texas during the summer of 1994.[1]

Contents

[edit] Career

Evolving, in part, from the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles, the Gourds original line-up consisted of Kevin Russell (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Jimmy Smith (vocals, bass, guitar), Claude Bernard (accordion, guitar, vocals), and Charlie Llewellin (drums, percussion).[2] Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford shortly after the second album was recorded, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston officially joined the band after being invited to play on their third album.[3][4] By the following album, Johnston had also become their third songwriter, though Russell and Smith have continued to share the bulk of those responsibilities.[5][6]

Despite a sizable amount of original material, the Gourds are probably best known for a song they did not write, and for which they initially did not receive credit.[7] Nearly twelve years after its live debut,[8] fans can still be heard calling out for the band's cover version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice",[9] often before they have even taken the stage. This has led some to consider it an albatross, but the band continues to play the crowd pleaser, adding various impromptu covers to its mid-section as a way of maintaining its appeal.[10][11]

While the Gourds studio efforts have all been well received, their high-energy live performances and constant touring have earned them the reputation of a band that must be seen to be appreciated.[12][13][14] As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base[15][16] that is happy to follow them from town to town,[17] and have become a favorite among those who tape live music.[18][19]

[edit] Members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

  • Dem's Good Beeble – 1997
  • Stadium Blitzer – 1998
  • Ghosts of Hallelujah – 1999
  • Bolsa de Agua – 2000
  • Cow Fish Fowl or Pig – 2002
  • Blood of the Ram – 2004
  • Heavy Ornamentals – 2006
  • Noble Creatures – 2007

[edit] Studio covers and live originals

  • Gogitchyershinebox – 1998
  • Shinebox – 2001

[edit] Soundtracks

  • Growin' a Beard – 2003
  • Something's Brewin' in Shiner – 2004

[edit] Side projects

  • Smith: Slosinger/Redbury – 2000
  • Smith: Cold War's Hot Water Shower: Featuring Dr. B – 2001
  • Bernard: The Tinys – 2001 (unreleased)
  • Russell: Buttermilk & Rifles – 2002

[edit] Television and film

The Gourds have been featured on Austin City Limits (2006) and appeared briefly playing their song "Declineometer" in the season one "Homecoming" episode of Friday Night Lights (2006). Their song "Dying of the Pines" was included in the HBO Documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005)[20] and their cover of "Gin and Juice" was used in the season three episode of My Name Is Earl (2007) entitled "The Frank Factor". The band has also scored the Mike Woolf documentaries Growin' a Beard (2003)[21] and Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004).[22]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] A thorough developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from everyone in the band (2000)
  2. ^ [2] Webpage bio for the Gourds original drummer (2008)
  3. ^ [3] Russell's version of the Gourds early history (c. 1999)
  4. ^ [4] More developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from Russell (1999)
  5. ^ [5] Interview with Russell and almost with Smith (1999)
  6. ^ [6] Russell discusses the Gourds sound and his own approach to songwriting (2002)
  7. ^ [7] Russell provides background on the "Gin and Juice" mix-up (2000)
  8. ^ [8] Canadian interview with Russell in which he discusses the debut of "Gin and Juice" (2002)
  9. ^ [9] Video of Snoop Dogg listening to the Gourds version of "Gin and Juice" (c. 1999)
  10. ^ [10] Noble Creatures review with a brief discussion of "Gin and Juice" on p. 21 (2007)
  11. ^ [11] Alaskan interview with Russell in which he answers the question "When do you play your hit song?" (2007)
  12. ^ [12] A typical first-timer’s live experience of the Gourds (2003)
  13. ^ [13] Veteran Austin music writer Michael Corcoran reviews a live show and says the Gourds are still the best in town (2008)
  14. ^ [14] UK radio show suggests the Gourds studio work is unfairly overshadowed by their live reputation (2008)
  15. ^ [15] Background on the Gourds internet fan list (2002)
  16. ^ [16] Founder of Wikipedia names the Gourds as his favorite musicians (2007)
  17. ^ [17] Florida writer mentions fans who follow the Gourds around the country (2008)
  18. ^ [18] A guide to the live recordings of the Gourds (1994 to 2005)
  19. ^ [19] Some examples of the Gourds live recordings (1994 to 2008)
  20. ^ [20] Website for the HBO documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005)
  21. ^ [21] Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Growin' a Beard (2003)
  22. ^ [22] Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004)

[edit] External links

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