The Gourds

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The Gourds

The Gourds performing in Austin, Texas in 2007
Background information
Origin Austin, Texas, US
Genres Alternative country
Progressive bluegrass
Texas Country
Years active 1994–2013 (on hiatus)
Labels Munich, Watermelon, Sugar Hill, Eleven Thirty, Yep Roc, Vanguard Records
Associated acts The Bumz
Picket Line Coyotes
The Grackles
Old Government
Clocker Redbury and Dusty Slosinger
The Tinys
Kev Russell's Junker
Shinyribs
The Hard Pans
Website www.thegourds.com
Members Kevin Russell
Jimmy Smith
Claude Bernard
Keith Langford
Max Johnston
Past members Charlie Llewellin

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

Career

Primarily evolving from the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles,[2] 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).[3] Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford shortly after the second album was recorded, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston officially joined after being invited to play on their third album.[4][5][6] By the following album, Johnston had also become the band's third songwriter, though Russell and Smith have continued to share the bulk of those responsibilities.[7][8][9]

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.[10] A full sixteen years after its live debut,[11] fans can still be heard calling out for the band's cover version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice", 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, often adding a medley of cover songs to its midsection.[12][13][14]

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.[15][16][17][18] As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base[19][20] that is happy to follow them from town to town,[21][22] and have become a favorite among those who tape live music.[23][24]

In March 2011, The Gourds finished recording their 10th studio album, Old Mad Joy, at Levon Helm's studio in Woodstock, New York. Produced by longtime Bob Dylan sideman, Larry Campbell, the record was released by Vanguard Records on September 13.[25][26][27][28]

On August 29, 2011, Emmy Award-winning director Doug Hawes-Davis[29] of High Plains Films began shooting a documentary on the band that combines candid interviews with live performances, past and present. American musician and filmmaker Brendan Canty worked as a camera operator and ran location sound on this project, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, TX, on March 13, 2013.[30][31][32]

On October 18, 2013, The Gourds announced they will be taking a hiatus of an undetermined length. No reason was provided. Their final show before the break occurred on October 27, 2013, at Threadgill’s World Headquarters in Austin, TX.[33][34]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

  • Dem's Good Beeble – 1996
  • 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
  • Haymaker! – 2009
  • Old Mad Joy – 2011

Studio covers and live originals

  • Gogitchyershinebox – 1998
  • Shinebox – 2001

Soundtracks

  • Growin' a Beard – 2003
  • Something's Brewin' in Shiner – 2004
  • All The Labor – 2014

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
  • Russell: Shinyribs: Well After Awhile – 2010
  • Russell: Shinyribs: Gulf Coast Museum – 2013

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). They were also the subject of a 96-minute documentary by director Doug Hawes-Davis of High Plains Films entitled All the Labor (2013). Their song "Dying of the Pines" was included in the HBO Documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005)[35] 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)[36] and Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004).[37]

See also

  • Music of Austin

References

  1. ↑ A thorough developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from everyone in the band (2000)
  2. ↑ A brief discussion of the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles as precursors to the Gourds (2006)
  3. ↑ Webpage bio for the Gourds original drummer (2008)
  4. ↑ Russell dates the arrival of Langford and Johnston (2009)
  5. ↑ Russell's 1st person account of how the Gourds evolved from The Bumz (1998)
  6. ↑ More developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from Russell (1999)
  7. ↑ Interview with Russell and almost with Smith that touches on their different approaches to songwriting (1999)
  8. ↑ Russell remarks on the Gourds sound and his own approach to songwriting (2002)
  9. ↑ Russell discusses the addition of Max Johnston and having three songwriters in one band (2008)
  10. ↑ Russell provides background on the "Gin and Juice" mix-up (2000)
  11. ↑ Canadian interview with Russell in which he discusses the debut of "Gin and Juice" (2002)
  12. ↑ Noble Creatures review with a brief discussion of "Gin and Juice" on p. 21 (2007)
  13. ↑ Alaskan interview with Russell in which he answers the question "When do you play your hit song?" (2007)
  14. ↑ In Cucurbitaceae message No. 78,921 Russell states "We just can't do [Gin and Juice] anymore without throwing up in our mouths a little bit" (Feb 13, 2009)
  15. ↑ A typical first-timer’s live experience of the Gourds (2003)
  16. ↑ More recent live review suggests "Some things never change...the Gourds still rock" (2009)
  17. ↑ Veteran Austin music writer Michael Corcoran reviews a live show and says the Gourds are still the best in town (2008)
  18. ↑ UK radio show suggests the Gourds studio work is unfairly overshadowed by their live reputation (2008)
  19. ↑ Background on the Gourds internet fan list (2002)
  20. ↑ Founder of Wikipedia names the Gourds as his favorite musicians (2007)
  21. ↑ Florida writer mentions fans who follow the Gourds around the country (2008)
  22. ↑ Houston Press acknowledges "a growing legion of fanatics [who] travel far and wide following the band" (2009)
  23. ↑ A guide to the live recordings of the Gourds (1994 to 2005)
  24. ↑ Some examples of the Gourds live recordings (1994 to 2012)
  25. ↑ Vanguard Records press release (2011)
  26. ↑ Austin Chronicle quotes Smith and mentions upcoming album (2011)
  27. ↑ Langford discusses new album with the Houston Press (2011)
  28. ↑ Huffington Post review (2011)
  29. ↑ Gourds' filmmaker wins Emmy Award (2012)
  30. ↑ Director Doug Hawes-Davis describes film for fundraising campaign (2012)
  31. ↑ Interview with filmmaker Doug Hawes-Davis (2012)
  32. ↑ SXSW Film Festival schedule for All The Labor (2013)
  33. ↑ The Gourds announce upcoming hiatus (2013)
  34. ↑ The Gourds official website reports hiatus (2013)
  35. ↑ Website for the HBO documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005)
  36. ↑ Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Growin' a Beard (2003)
  37. ↑ Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004)

External links


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