Pearl-snap buttons and skull-and-crossbones belt buckles, sleeveless embroidered shirts and fullsleeve tattoos. The Texas Sapphires are not your average country band. They blend their punk and country roots to play what they know best – a unique conc [+]Pearl-snap buttons and skull-and-crossbones belt buckles, sleeveless embroidered shirts and fullsleeve tattoos. The Texas Sapphires are not your average country band. They blend their punk and country roots to play what they know best – a unique concoction of vintage hillbilly and rock and roll, with perfectly-matched guy/girl vocals and energy-infused live shows.
The Austin-based country/Americana/bluegrass band combines an old-time, classic mountain vibe with lyrics that give their tunes a modernedge. Praise for their live shows across Texas with the likes of Ray Price, Dwight Yoakam and Junior Brown caught the attention of Grammy award winning producer Lloyd Maines, who offered to produce and play on their debut CD, Valley So Steep. Austin fans showed their support by voting them Best New Band of 2005 in The Austin Chronicle and at the Austin Music Awards on March 15, during SXSW 2006. Lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Billy Brent Malkus, raised on the family hog farm in rural Maryland, grew up listening to classic country, but it was the punk scene he jumped into at first, playing in bands like Berserk and Mondo Generator. He co-wrote “Tension Head” on the Queens of the Stone Age’s album Rated R. It was around that time that the lead singer of 80’s hair-metal band Ratt offered Malkus some heroin in exchange for one of his CDs. Although flattered, Malkus declined – he prefers singing and playing over drugs and booze.
Co-lead vocalist Rebecca Lucille Cannon shares similar roots, fronting ’90s Austin punk powerhouse Sincola and touring with Joan Jett. With the perfect mix of Chrissy Hynde and Loretta Lynn, Cannon has found her vocal niche with The Texas Sapphires. Mandolin/banjo player Paul Schroeder, bassist Jeff Joiner, drummer Ram Zimmerman and former Cowboy Junkie pedal steel player Kim Deschamps round out the lineup.
Look for The Texas Sapphires to tour extensively in 2006 in support of Valley So Steep, to be released April 18 by Lowe Farm Records.
“The Texas Sapphires are a breath of fresh air in the boiling pot of new music in the country today… Inspired songs, great vocals and diverse band members that toss their respective musical influences into the ring... The end result is a great listen.” – Lloyd Maines
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