The Gourds

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Biography

The Gourds are an United States|American alternative country band that formed in Austin, Texas during the summer of 1994. A thorough developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from everyone in the band (2000)

Career

Primarily evolving from the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles, A brief discussion of the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles as precursors to the Gourds (2006) The Gourds original line-up consisted of Kevin Russell (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Jimmy Smith (vocals, bass, guitar), Claude Bernard (accordion, guitar, vocals), and Charlie Llewellin (drums, percussion). Webpage bio for the Gourds original drummer (2008) Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford shortly after the second album was recorded, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston officially joined after being invited to play on their third album. Russell dates the arrival of Langford and Johnston (2009) Russell's 1st person account of how the Gourds evolved from The Bumz (1998) More developmental history of the Gourds with quotes from Russell (1999) By the following album, Johnston had also become the band's third songwriter , though Russell and Smith have continued to share the bulk of those responsibilities. Interview with Russell and almost with Smith that touches on their different approaches to songwriting (1999) Russell remarks on the Gourds sound and his own approach to songwriting (2002) Russell discusses the addition of Max Johnston and having three songwriters in one band (2008)

Despite a sizable amount of original material, The Gourds are probably best known for a song they did not write, and for which they initially did not receive credit. Russell provides background on the "Gin and Juice" mix-up (2000) A full fourteen years after its live debut, Canadian interview with Russell in which he discusses the debut of "Gin and Juice" (2002) fans can still be heard calling out for the band's cover version of Snoop Dogg 's " Gin and Juice ", often before they have even taken the stage. This has led some to consider it an albatross (metaphor)|albatross , but the band continues to play the crowd pleaser, often adding a medley of cover songs to its mid-section. Noble Creatures review with a brief discussion of "Gin and Juice" on p. 21 (2007) Alaskan interview with Russell in which he answers the question "When do you play your hit song? " (2007) In Cucurbitaceae message #78,921 Russell states "We just can't do anymore without throwing up in our mouths a little bit" (Feb 13, 2009)

While The Gourds studio efforts have all been well received, their high-energy live performances and constant touring have earned them the reputation of a band that must be seen to be appreciated. A typical first-timer’s live experience of the Gourds (2003) More recent live review suggests "Some things never change...the Gourds still rock" (2009) Veteran Austin music writer Michael Corcoran reviews a live show and says the Gourds are still the best in town (2008) UK radio show suggests the Gourds studio work is unfairly overshadowed by their live reputation (2008) As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base Background on the Gourds internet fan list (2002) Founder of Wikipedia names the Gourds as his favorite musicians (2007) that is happy to follow them from town to town, Florida writer mentions fans who follow the Gourds around the country (2008) Houston Press acknowledges "a growing legion of fanatics travel far and wide following the band" (2009) and have become a favorite among those who tape live music. A guide to the live recordings of the Gourds (1994 to 2005) Some examples of the Gourds live recordings (1994 to 2011)

In March 2011, The Gourds finished recording their 10th studio album, Old Mad Joy, at Levon Helm 's studio in Woodstock, New York . Produced by longtime Bob Dylan sideman, Larry Campbell (musician)|Larry Campbell , the record was released by Vanguard Records on September 13. Vanguard Records press release (2011) Austin Chronicle quotes Smith and mentions upcoming album (2011) Langford discusses new album with the Houston Press (2011) Huffington Post review (2011)

Members

Kevin "Shinyribs" Russell – Singing|vocals , Backing vocalist|backing vocals , mandolin , Steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic guitar , electric guitar , harmonica

Jimmy Smith – vocals, backing vocals, bass guitar , acoustic guitar, Percussion instrument|percussion , harmonica, double bass

Claude Bernard – accordion , electronic keyboard , backing vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion

Keith Langford – Drum kit|drums , harmonica, backing vocals

Max Johnston (of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco ) – vocals, backing vocals, fiddle , lap steel , mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo

Discography

Studio albums

''Dem's Good Beeble – 1996

Stadium Blitzer – 1998

Ghosts of Hallelujah – 1999

Bolsa de Agua – 2000

Cow Fish Fowl or Pig – 2002

Blood of the Ram – 2004

Heavy Ornamentals – 2006

Noble Creatures – 2007

Haymaker! – 2009

Old Mad Joy – 2011

Studio covers and live originals

Gogitchyershinebox – 1998

Shinebox – 2001

Soundtracks

''Growin' a Beard – 2003

''Something's Brewin' in Shiner – 2004

Side projects

Smith: Slosinger/Redbury – 2000

Smith: ''Cold War's Hot Water Shower: Featuring Dr. B – 2001

Bernard: The Tinys – 2001 (unreleased)

Russell: Buttermilk & Rifles – 2002

Russell: Shinyribs: Well After Awhile – 2010

Television and film

The Gourds have been featured on Austin City Limits (2006) and appeared briefly playing their song "Declineometer" in the season one "Homecoming" episode of Friday Night Lights (TV series)|Friday Night Lights (2006). Their song "Dying of the Pines" was included in the HBO Documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005) Website for the HBO documentary Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father (2005) and their cover of "Gin and Juice" was used in the season three episode of My Name Is Earl (2007) entitled "The Frank Factor". The band has also scored the Mike Woolf documentaries '' Growin' a Beard '' (2003) Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Growin' a Beard (2003) and '' Something's Brewin' in Shiner '' (2004). Website for the Mike Woolf documentary Something's Brewin' in Shiner (2004)

Copyright Citations

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1. Jon Dee Graham 2. Austin City Limits Festival 3. Patrick Sweany

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