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The Band Of Heathens - The Band Of
Heathens
By George
Peden
 The
Band Of Heathens is a five-piece band. Proving names don’t count,
they come hailed as one of Austin, Texas, finest. Their self-titled
debut adds provable weight. Having won a celebrated nod for Best New
Band at the 2006/2007 Austin Music Awards, the guys have set the bar
high. A look at their Myspace diary has them touring like there’s no
tomorrow. But the road weary miles seem to be paying, as they gather
fans to their gritty sound.
Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, the
noted tunesmith of the outlaw anthem “Up Against the Wall, Redneck
Mothers,” TBOH is an 11-track journey of solid, tuneful Americana.
The band, well regarded for their
stage act, proven with two earlier fan favorite live albums, has
managed here to infuse energy, sound and feel – a glimpse of what
their live playing brought to their crowd-packed shows at Momo's in
Austin.
Across chunky and rootsy cuts like
the harmony dosed “Don’t Call On Me,” “Jackson Station,” the
hit-hitting rocker “Heart On My Sleeve,” and the melodic and
thoughtful “40 Days”, the guys deliver with an emotive, pure and
listener-friendly release.
Special guests on the album include
Patty Griffin, Gurf Morlix, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Kris
Kristofferson’s favorite guitarist, Stephen Bruton. Ed Jurdi, Gordy
Quist, Colin Brooks, Seth Witney and John Chipman are the Band.
Here at CSO, as they wait in the
wings, we doubt you’ll hear a better band of heathens.
Website
MySpace
Eddie P. Briley: Briley-fied
By George Peden
 There’s
no doubting it: Miami based singer and songwriter Eddie Briley has
faced his share of life challenges. In his daily job as a fire
fighter and paramedic, the awesome, the odd, the dangerous, the
reckless and the life threatening are part of his lot. Now he’s
embarking on a career in country music; some would suggest, in this
most testing of genres, he comes well prepared. But all jokes aside,
to make a dent in the business you need to have the confidence,
talent and overall grit to succeed. Briley seems to be on target, as
he patiently waits his turn in the wings.
With his 13-tracker, Briley-fied,
the easy-on-the-eye-acoustic guitar player is hoping for the
breakthrough.
“I feel very good about the record,”
Briley says. “Everyone did a phenomenal job on it. If I can touch
somebody in some way with this CD – and inspire them – I would feel
a great sense of accomplishment.”
While there is no accounting for the
outcome of the album and peoples’ choices, the early indicators
suggest the mostly self-written album is gaining interest. With
Briley’s easy, clean and clean tones, along with his band of
polished pros, the sound is new country. Tracks like the former
radio single “Daddy’s Girl,” a tune written for Briley’s daughter
Aubrie-elle, to the honesty of knowing that in country music it’s a
hard road to getting the needed spins, as heard on “On The Radio,”
to an ambitious remaking of the classic America cut “Sister Golden
Hair,” Briley delivers good caliber country.
The album is now available. It’s on
Signature Records.
Website
MySpace
Southern Crossed - The Line
By George
Peden
 Here
at CSO Central we pride ourselves on introducing you to a cross mix
of country music. We parade the known and those who should be. The
guiding rule is always talent. If we stumble upon an act or group,
and they show chops to what they’re about, we’ll certainly consider
them for a review.
Meet Southern Crossed. This Aussie
band made their way to me via a friend. “You have to hear these
guys,” was the instruction.
I have. And guess what? You have to
hear these guys.
When speaking of Australian artists,
acts like Lee Kernaghan, Adam Harvey, Catherine Britt, and Keith
Urban are often the only known names. However, the music pool is
wide and deep. There are so many Oz artists and acts knocking,
waiting in the wings. Just like this band.
They are a three-piece rocking
outfit, offering, according to their publicity, a sound that melds
country, blues and rock. And that it does…all with an Aussie sound
that is parochial, but at the same time universal.
The band is a solid blend of musical
veterans. Singer and songwriter Brendan Young has been kickin’
around the local country scene (Melbourne, Australia) since 2002.
Singer, songwriter and bassist Noel Goard, who’s instrument of
choice has five strings, has been playing in established cover bands
for years, while drummer Russell Wookey is equally credentialed,
having been in various bands for years. Now the formation is
complete: the guys play what they love and love what they play –
country.
Determined to stay original, the
band’s self-penned six track extended play, The Line, is a
polished mix of love, loss, heartache and rural hardship. All the
while, the sound comes edged with strong riffs, easy vocals and
solid drumming.
Stand out cuts: “She’s Out Running
Around,” the Aussie familiarity of “The Servo (gas station),” the
rural reality of “The Big Dry” and the party mood of mates, the
local, Friday nights and the chance to down a few as heard on
“Whiskey Down”.
Check them out.
Official
Site
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