Back in the day, before streaming or downloading, many people (most, perhaps) discovered new music by browsing record stores. While fine for artists that were easily categorized, that presented a problem for groups that were mashing together genres and trying to create a new sound. Austin was one epicenter of that creative experimentation, and one of the most critically acclaimed groups from there was The Wagoneers. Invited to play at the very first SXSW, Monte Warden and his band were described by one publication as what The Clash would have sounded like if they’d been a country music group. Life has a way of disrupting things, critical acclaim doesn’t always put food on the table, and by 1991 the band had broken up. They played occasional gigs over the years but nothing regular. Last year Monte decide to resurrect the band, and along with original guitarist Brent Wilson they recruited a new bassist and drummer. They just released a new EP entitled Doghouse Flowers.
The title track opener is one of two originals on the record and hits you hard with a timeless rockabilly sound. It’s about a ne’er-do-well who’s always having to buy his girl flowers to make up for his indiscretions. The other new tune, Yesterday Stopped By is a country ballad, flavored with a little Muscle Shoals R&B, about the memory of a lost love. Ballad of Palladin is a twangy shuffle version of the Have Gun–Will Travel TV show theme song from the late 50’s. Stout and High is a remake of The Wagoneers first “hit.” You can practically hear Lubbock’s twang in its story of the Alamo. The closer is a rockabilly take on the Ray Charles classic, I Got A Woman.
Resurrecting a band from the 80’s isn’t always a good idea. But Monte Warden had the good sense to not just play the old songs the old way. There was plenty of good material from those early days, and injecting some new blood along with 40 years of experience had its rewards. As a result, Doghouse Flowers breathes fresh air into one of the ingredients that made the Austin music scene what it is today.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.