The Gourds: Difference between revisions
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==Television== |
==Television== |
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The Gourds have appeared on ''[[Austin City Limits]]'' (2006) and ''[[Friday Night Lights (TV series)|Friday Night Lights]]'' (2006), and have had songs featured in ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'' (2007) and |
The Gourds have appeared on ''[[Austin City Limits]]'' (2006) and ''[[Friday Night Lights (TV series)|Friday Night Lights]]'' (2006), and have had songs featured in ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'' (2007) and |
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the HBO Documentary ''Unknown Soldier'' (2005) <ref>[http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/unknownsoldier/index.html] Website for the documentary ''Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father'' (2005)</ref>. |
the HBO Documentary ''Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father'' (2005) <ref>[http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/unknownsoldier/index.html] Website for the documentary ''Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father'' (2005)</ref>. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 19:44, 15 April 2008
The Gourds |
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The Gourds are an American alternative country and bluegrass band, formed in Austin, Texas during the summer of 1994 [1].
The band's original line-up consisted of Claude Bernard on accordion/guitar/vocals, Charlie Llewellin [2] on drums/percussion, Shinyribs Russell on vocals/guitar/mandolin, and Jimmy Smith on vocals/bass/guitar. Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford after the second album, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston was added in time for the third album. With two primary songwriters [3] in Russell and Smith, the band's studio albums have attempted to distribute their contributions evenly. Johnston also provides the occasional tune, and part of the band's success can certainly be understood as a function of their depth at songwriting. Overall, the Gourds enjoy a dedicated fan base [4][5] and have become a favorite among tapers for their high-energy live performances. After releasing eight full studio albums and touring extensively throughout the United States and Europe, they may still be best known for their cover version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice", which achieved great popularity during the heyday of Napster even though it was regularly credited to other bands (e.g., Phish [6], Soggy Bottom Boys). In response to the song's unexpected popularity, the band somewhat reluctantly recorded a studio version for their 1998 Gogitchyershinebox EP. Today, nearly 12 years after the song's live debut [7] it is not uncommon to hear fans calling for it before the band has even taken the stage. This has led some to suggest the song is a kind of albatross, but the band has recently re-embraced it as as extended encore. Though the Gourds studio efforts have all been well received [8], they are generally thought of as a live band [9][10] and their best shows are rumored to take place in Missoula, MT [11][12].
Members
- Claude Bernard – accordion, organ, guitar, maracas, vocals
- Shinyribs Russell – mandolin, guitar, vocals
- Jimmy Smith – bass, guitar, percussion, vocals
- Keith Langford – drums, harmonica
- Max Johnston (of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco) – fiddle, lap steel, mandolin, guitar, banjo, vocals
Discography
- Dem's Good Beeble – 1997
- Stadium Blitzer – 1998
- Gogitchyershinebox - 1998
- Ghosts of Hallelujah – 1999
- Bolsa de Agua – 2000
- Shinebox – 2001
- Cow Fish Fowl or Pig – 2002
- Blood of the Ram – 2004
- Heavy Ornamentals – 2006
- Noble Creatures – 2007
The Gourds have also scored the Mike Woolf documentaries Growin' a Beard (2003) [13] and Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004) [14].
Television
The Gourds have appeared on Austin City Limits (2006) and Friday Night Lights (2006), and have had songs featured in My Name Is Earl (2007) and the HBO Documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005) [15].
See also
References
- ^ [1] An excellent developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from everyone in the band (2000)
- ^ [2] Webpage for the Gourds original drummer (2008)
- ^ [3] Interviews with Russell and Smith (1999)
- ^ [4] Background on the Gourds internet fan list (2002)
- ^ [5] Founder of Wikipedia names the Gourds as his favorite musicians (2007)
- ^ [6] Background on the “Gin and Juice” mix-up (2000)
- ^ [7] Canadian interview with Russell (2002) Note: the 1st live "Gin and Juice" actually occurred on 11.13.96, when Russell played a mandolin-only version at the Waterloo Ice House in Austin, TX, for Rche's birthday party. The band's first effort came on 12.06.96 at the Electric Lounge in Austin, TX
- ^ [8] More developmental history on the Gourds with quotes from Russell (1999)
- ^ [9] A typical first-timer’s live experience of the Gourds (2003)
- ^ [10] Veteran Austin music writer Michael Corcoran reviews a live show and says the Gourds are still the best in town (2008)
- ^ [11] Article on River City Roots Festival with quotes from Russell (2007)
- ^ [12] Photo of the Gourds headlining at River City Roots Festival (2007)
- ^ [13] Website for the documentary Growin' A Beard (2003)
- ^ [14] Website for the documentary Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004)
- ^ [15] Website for the documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005)
External links
- The Gourds official website
- Template:MySpace