The Moonhangers:
Pedal Steel, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Vocals. Living in Austin, most people have seen bands play this combination of instruments. I loved watching Don Walser and The Pure Texas Band. When Mr. Walser yodeled, I giggled. Sure do miss him. Scott Walls could play just about anything on the pedal steel…cept for hard rock. Chili Cold Blood’s Ethan Shaw, now he’s got pedal steel hard rock thunder down to an artform. He plays it just like it was a guitar attached to effect pedals. All the while, sitting down and moving his feet and fingers as fast as lighting. AND he sings. He has a deep vibrato rock n roll voice. He usually wears a black cowboy hat and doesn’t smile a lot while he is playing. His partners in rock n roll criminology are Matthew Puryear on drums, Doug Strahan (also) on guitar AND vocals, and Dave Wesselowski on bass. The Moonhangers music is not your typical old fashion, dancing, Country Music. It is music that is buried deep in the roots of blues, funk, and country, with a twist. Like Gary Stewart? They cover “Drinking Thing” very respectfully.
Chili Cold Blood:
The same group of men; Ethan, Doug, Matthew and Dave,
play the same instruments in a hard rock outfit called, Chili Cold Blood. Ever
seen a Cowboy rocking out on a flying V? Strahan plays a Les Paul now, but
previously he played a Flying V that had such a warm, oakey sound with an edge.
The band name, “Chili Cold Blood” is rumored to be to be the name of a pimp.
It’s funny. But true? Ask the band yourself. It’s always good for a laugh with
these guys who just happen to be a part of Austin’s most serious musicians. Go
figure. Chili Cold Blood is a unique band. Take Funky Tonk, speed it up, turn it
up, and change the groove into grind and perfection is achieved. These are the
essential differences between The Moonhangers and Chili Cold Blood.
But wait,
there’s more.
The Memphis Strange: Doug Strahan plays guitar.
Lucas
Hudgins and the First Cousins: Matt Purvyear, Dave Wesselowski and Doug Strahan
join Lucas. You have to hear Lucas Hudgins sing. He performs a classic two step
country style music, usually at venues like The Broken Spoke or Rattle Inn. By
the way, if you have not been to the Rattle Inn, be sure to put it on your list.
It is located behind The Star Bar on West Sixth. The sound, the stage, and the
patio are so inviting. The staff is nice and there is always plenty of space for
dancing. And when you listen to Lucas Hudgins play, you should dance!
One thing in common=All of the bands (that the members of The Moonhangers play with) are rooted in pure live entertainment. The photos were taken at The White Horse, where they were scheduled to perform with Honky, who had to cancel. Instead, Chili Cold Blood played a nice long set on a Saturday night in East Austin. Rare, indeed. Good times, none the less.
Check out:
The Moonhangers -“Kissing The Air”
Chili Cold Blood -“See That Woman”
Chili Cold Blood
and Bobby Rock and that Flying V!
Don Walser. Get yourself some yodel love!
Gary Stewart’s “Drinking Thing”
The Memphis Strange – “All It Took Was Her Hair”, from the 2011 album Birth of The
Strange.
-Kris Moore
