Texas Music Showdown, Semi-Finals Week 1

| March 14, 2014 | Reply
Jason Lovell, The Buffalo Ruckus

Jason Lovell, The Buffalo Ruckus

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer — Click on the link at the end for photos

Judges for the first round of the semi-finals, White Elephant Saloon’s 9th Texas Music ShowdownBrett Dillon, KHYI; Deryl Dodd, or the Double D as everyone knows him; and Dave Perez of the amazing Tejas Brothers — sent The Buffalo Ruckus on into the finals. That band will meet the winner of the upcoming Wednesday (March 19) second week of the semi-finals, which will be between Koe Wetzel & The Konvicts and the Big Joe Walker Band. That, too, should be an amazing  night for new and old fans, and also a challenging night for both bands.

This Wednesday (March 12) was challenging and amazing. Both The Twisted Pistols and The Buffalo Ruckus shine in their respective style, and if anyone were judging apples to apples (or styles to styles), it could have been a tough choice; but judging apples to grapes is what these judges were faced with.

Each band got four original songs, one cover tune, and a sound-check additional song of their choice. At the end of the two sets, the band hung around a moment for judges’ feedback.

Twisted Pistols chose as their cover song Meat Loaf’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” and rocked it out in good style. Their four originals were their popular “Fair Weather Friend,” “Keep On Rollin’,” “One for the Money,” and a newer song, “Home on the Highway,” two of which Johnny Wilson switched off with the usual lead singer, Zach Hendricks, on vocals, and knocked it out with harmonies. “Home On The Highway”  gave drummer T.J. Wier an almost-solo as he started out the song. and bass player, Wade Cody, kept it all steady and even.

Dillon said he really liked the choice of covers, and they swung out there like a traveling band. Dodd stressed that he liked their tone, comparing it to Tom Petty’s band style. He, too, liked the cover song, saying it showed the depth that the band possessed. And Perez said he was impressed with the harmonies and not only the vocal switches, but the instrument switches too, between mandolin and guitar. “That gave it a change in texture,” Perez said. “And I like that driving snare back there.”

Zach Hendricks, Twisted Pistols

Zach Hendricks, Twisted Pistols

The Buffalo Ruckus, which only formed about one year ago today, about the time that lead vocalist Jason Lovell and his wife moved to Texas from their more-native Georgia. Guitarist Brad Haefner and bass player Michael Burgess, who had been together in a past band, were searching for a vocalist. They met on Craig’s List, Brad said, and also discovered and added drummer Christian Dorn. Been making history ever since.

The band played, for their sound check, their original “Even On The Darker Days,” and brought some songs they are working on in the studio now, “Black Hearted Woman,” “What’s a Boy,” “Moonlight Rebels,” and “If It’s For Love,” and covered Waylon Jennings’ “Waymore Blues.” Then, after the announcement, they encored with “Don’t Save Me,” and “Whipping Post.”

Critique time:  Dillon, “That was awesome — a mini-concert.” Dodd said, “You don’t miss the beat.” And Perez summed it up, saying, “You are Jay Leno bound.” Then they all got into good-natured ribbing about who was going to be the Buffalo Ruckus’ roadie (They don’t know that I get that job.) and now that Leno’s retired, who will be hosting the Ruckus on late-night.

Hard battle, won with mutual respect for each other’s band. Just some of the prizes they are going for: A set on Larry Joe Taylor fest in April and on Tommy Alverson’s Family Gathering in October, an automatic entry into KHYI’s Shiner Rising Star beginning again in late June, a Shiner Sunday opening at Love & War in Texas, a Texas Legends concert, a 4-song EP produced and distributed by Smith Music Group, a quarter-page ad in Buddy Magazine, and that’s not all… maybe I can write faster next week as Dillon reads that list out.

For more pix of Twisted Pistols, click here:

For more pix of The Buffalo Ruckus, click here:

For just pix of the night, click here:

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Category: *- Features, 2014

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In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, and other such essentials, since 1980.

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