Texas Band Trivia 4 - Mikes Band Archive

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TAYLOR BROTHERS BAND - ML writes: Here is a band for when you feel like steppin out to the dance halls for a whoop and a holler. http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/TaylorBrothersBand (Contributed by Bobby Stoner) BS writes: "I grew up in Woodsboro, about five miles from Refugio. We didn't have a lot to do so music was our life. The first dances I went to were played by Mike Taylor and MT Junction, now known as the Taylor brothers."

TC REVIEW - DL writes: "I heard them twice, once at the Jam Factory or Pusikat downtown and again at La Villita hall during the Thomas Jefferson high school prom of 69'. It was a multi-racial band. The lead singer was African-American, a couple of anglos and a couple of Mexican-Americans. They had drums, bass, guitars and a horn section. They played Rythym and blues, Soul and did a mean version of Blood, Sweat and Tears and top forty."

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY - (Contributed by Hank Harrison) HH writes: "I stumbled over your web site the other day and I wanted to tell you what a great idea it is. My name is Hank Harrison. I play fiddle and mandolin in the Tennessee Valley Authority and I have seen a number of clubs come & go. I have a radio show on KSYM called the Hillbilly Hit Parade and have done a lot of research for that show on old country, western swing, bluegrass and cowboy music. I worked for years at the Witte Museum, have contributed to a number of books on Texas music, and have written and produced a KLRN special on Jazz in San Antonio. I currently work at the San Antonio Current where I do a little writing on the San Antonio music scene, past and present. I am working an article about the coffeehouses and alternative nightclubs in San Antonio during the Beatnik years (pre-psychedelic). I have mentioned the site to some musician friends and they are excited about contributing." ML adds: "Great to hear from you Hank. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future".

TEXAS - ML writes: This band was the top dog in the north Texas area for years in the late 70's. I know they traveled as far south as Austin and into the states north of Texas. I once caught their act at some large club in Tulsa. They had a huge light rig and a massive PA setup and traveled in a 18 wheeler. In those days very few bands had that kind of setup. I remember the lead guitarist was a tall skinny guy who had big hair aka David Bowie. The band did mostly cover material and one song would tie into each other so that each set was a non-stop dance fest. I can't remember if I was impressed musically or not but was impressed by the size of the crowd that followed them around. If your band ventured into their territory, you would be expected to measure up against them. A tough job indeed. (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: There was a band called Texas that played here in OKC quite a bit...i remember first playing the After the Goldrush bar here in OKC and some guy was yelling at us to play Born to Run because Texas did it. I saw them once and liked them. They had a singer/guitarist who patterned himself after Bowie a little, and the guitarist kind of looked like Mick Ronson...they did Strawberry Fields Forever complete with taped sound fx like on the record. They opened with Born To Run. This is when most people weren't acquainted with Springsteen yet (at least in this area). (Contributed by Cindy P) Cindy writes: "I remember seeing TEXAS around Fort Worth in the 70's but I would like to know for sure if they were originally COURTSHIP -another band from that time period. I can't remember where I heard that but have believed it to be true for 30-something years now. Can't someone enlighten me?" (Contributed by George Callins) GC writes: "I knew a band called Texas back in the day and you don't give the personnel line-up. Was Frankie Gilcken in THIS band you have listed or was that a another band? He was from Philly." (Contributed by Vicky Hill) VH writes: "I remember seeing a band called Texas during the 70's. One song I remember was 'Burger King Blues', does this ring a bell for anyone else?"

TEXAS BOOGIE BAND - (Contributed by Rose Ann Green) RG writes: "Also, you should have Alan Haynes' band listed - Texas Boogie Band - where it all began here in Houston! Alan, Linda, Adrian and Brian - I think that was the drummer's name, I'll have to think about that one - all Boogie Band members."

TEXAS BLUES COMMISSION - (Contributed by Mystery Man) MM writes: "I think Gary Fredrichs played in some bands with Ricky Wells (bassist). WAY BACK I think there was a band called Texas Blues Commission that had Danny Cowan, David "Sheepdog" Darilek and maybe Steve Earl (but I am not sure). This maybe later became 'Tulsa County'."

TEXAS HOMEGROWN - (Contributed by Mystery Man) MM writes: "Texas Homegrown featured bassist David Martin, lead Jimmy Spacek, a drummer named Mike and singer named Lawrence Netwig(?) or something like that."

TEXAS UNLIMITED BAND - ML writes: "Chris Skiles formerly of Too Smooth plays in this band along with other top notch players from around the state. Other members include: John Lockhart, Tim Langham, Steve Jatzlau, & Andy Kubena. The band can be seen around the state. Based out of Austin. Visit the band website at: http://www.texasunlimitedband.com/index.htm

TIMEPIECE - (Contributed by Freddy Carrillo) FC writes: "Timepiece was led by drummer, Leonard Wong. Timepiece featured Charlie Bogges on vocals and lead guitar. John Boggess was on keys and vocals. On Bass was David Trujillo and myself on saxes, flute, lead and background vocals. After Leonard moved on to Behemoth, Timepiece went through a few changes and in 1975, settled into the local band "Horizon" which is still active today."

TINA TURNER - ML writes: I once had the chance to play the warm up slot at her show with my band OVERLOAD at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio in 1975. She had just split from Ike and was touring alone without the promoters knowledge. Backstage was a real soap opera. Her manager was this 300 pound 6'6 black guy who stood in the hall arguing with the promoter for a least 30 minutes about the fact that IKE wasn't included. There was lots of yelling and screaming and we were afraid to come out of our dressing room which was down the hall from Tina's. We were so thrilled to be able to do this show that we just went on and did our thing. Our band Overload was about 3 months old and this was the biggest thing to happen to us. I had borrowed a Marshall 100w stack from a buddy named Larry McGuffin and spent the night trying to control it. The band played in top form and we felt really good about the set. It did not occur to me until years later that a Tina Turner show was not our target audience. Tina's band moseyed on stage after we finished and spent about 20 minutes just tuning up and milling around. This was in front of a live audience. It was really cheesy looking. All I can guess is that it was not safe to be backstage with all the fighting and threats between the manager and promoter. Finally she came out and the show was a total professional turnaround. Lots of flash and organized dance. A totally different woman from the ragged out lady I saw get off the band bus earlier. Without her makeup and outfits she is a very ordinary looking lady. She is not very tall, only coming up to my chin level. I do remember her as being very nice and sweet and humble. She knew that it was a big thrill for us and she was really nice to us.

TOBY BEAU - See Photo HERE: Balde Silva-voc,harp / Ron Rose-guitar,voc / Steve Zipper -bass,voc / Rob Young -drums / Danny McKenna -guitar,voc / Art Mendoza - ?. ML writes: This band used to play on a regular basis around SA. I used to see them at a club called the Sports club or something on lower San Pedro. A fellow named Ron Rose was their guitar and banjo player. Ron was a year ahead of me in High School and I saw him all the time and even jammed on a few occasions. The band got a lucky break with a tune called "Angel Baby" that made it to the national top 10. A few years later I saw Ron again around the area. He had a new wisdom about him that comes from reaching the top and back. These days he plays around SA with an acoustic outfit called "Bepko, Fletcher, Santos, and Rose". Click HERE to view the bands website. (Contributed by Wild Bill Lieber) BL writes: "The other night I finally got what I wanted back around 1978. The guys had finally made it big. A couple of LP’s and a top 40 single nation-wide. Then 26 years or so later I walked in to the Blue Cactus Café/Wetmore Store with LP’s in hand. I told the guys that there was something I wanted them to do back in 1978 but just never got around to it. After all was said and done, I finally got those LP’s autographed by my buddy Ron Rose and Mr. Toby Beau himself, Balde Silva. This was truly a night to remember. I felt like I was back at the old Village Inn or perhaps at Roth Baron’s (The Place Next Door) back in the late ’70’s. We need some more San Antonio band reunions…How about HOMER or HEIRONYMOUS or Giant Smiling Dog?"

TOMAN BROS - See Photo HERE (Contributed by Chris Holzhaus) CH writes: "Also, I noticed that you have no info on the Toman Bros.? These guys are still together after some 25 years. Southside Boys ...Russ Toman guitar ...bro Randy Toman on bass. Good people, wonderful players. I think at one time they played in the Drugstore Cowboys, but I'm not sure." ML adds: "I seem to recall hearing somewhere that an old band mate of mine .. Brian Goldberg played drums for them at one time. I agree with Holzhaus, nice guys and good players" (Contributed by Ray Wilburn) RW writes: "In 1980 I was the first of many Toman Brother band drummers ( which include Brian Goldberg, Bobby Jarzombek, Randy Cunningham, Ralph Guzman, John "Smiley" Reynolds and the current drummer/vocalist Scott Williams). Randy Toman was with Dub Robinson- guitar, and Robert Payne- drums to form the Gary (king of the honky tonk) Stewart's road band line up of the Drugstore Cowboys in the mid to late 70's. Randy left the cowboys to form a rock band with brother Russ Toman- guitar and Robert Payne. At that time they were called "The Blend" of San Antonio. Dub Robinson formed a new group to stay on the road with Gary Stewart. after a few weeks of this line up Robert went back on the road with the Drugstore Cowboys and Gary Stewart. I replaced Robert Payne in the "Blend" line up of Randy and Russ Toman. the first week of this band found us joining Gary Stewart in Nashville to be his road band (due to a conflict of schedule with the Drugstore Cowboys). It was my idea to change the band name to the Toman Brothers when I replaced Robert Payne on the drums, who went back to the Drugstore Cowboys. This line up of Randy, Russ, and I stayed together from 1980 to 1988 at which time I left because of Gary Stewart being dropped from RCA records and me having a bitch of an ex-wife. I re-joined the Tomans briefly from 89' to 90'."

TOO SMOOTH / 14K - See Photo HERE: Jeff Clark - guitar,voc / Brian Wooten - guitar, voc / Don Townsley -guitar / Danny Swinney (later Ron Ward) -bass / Tom Holden (later Phil Damolin & Chris Skiles) - Drums. ML writes: This was one of my all time favorite bands local or national. Originally from Beeville, Tx and transplanted to the Austin area. Everywhere I went in the state, they were either appearing, about to appear, or had just appeared. They played all original songs of such a melodic content, yet so technically complex and powerful that all you could do was stare at them. Really bad ass players who could write some great songs. The guitarist named Brian Wooten was just this side of Eric Johnson, fluid with a great tone and chops to spare. This four piece (later 5 piece) outfit will always have a place in my heart. They were a national class talent who just slipped between the cracks of the attention they deserved. A common story for many of the great under noticed talents from this region. I really, really miss these guys. ML adds: I recently asked Tommy Taylor what ever became of my heroes. He was nice enough to bring me up to speed on Too Smooth members current lives these days. He sent the following: (Contributed by Tommy Taylor ) Tommy writes: "After they tried so hard and got nowhere they sort of big time copy banded it for a while as 14k. Jeff is one of my oldest friends. OK a little more history here...He went to my elementary school. He was in like 6th grade when I was in 1st or 2nd. He was always real nice to me and I certainly was way younger so its amazing that he would even talk to me. I first saw him play on the tennis courts at Highland Park Elementary at our Halloween Carnival in a band called the Chandells. They were kind of loosely formed by their guitar teacher (and everybody's) Wayne Wood. I think that's the first band I ever saw live. It made a big impact. They played Satisfaction! I needed to play Satisfaction! I still play Satisfaction! It pays my rent! I also new his older brother Arty who was big in High School Basketball. All these guys treated me so well when I was little, like I was their sidekick. His sister Kerre was in my grade and I knew her pretty well. Jeff always had a squint, one of his eyes didn't work. He was playing with a slinky with one of his friends in the back-seat of their car and his friend let go and popped his eye. He never saw out of it after that. Recently I heard that he had a surgery and now with the new technologies available, his sight in that eye was restored! Beautiful huh! Danny Swinney was Christopher Cross's valet when I was with him or he was with us or Whatever! Chris basically paid him an exorbitant amount of money to be his friend, probably more than he paid me! Ha, Ha! He got our luggage together. Danny is a real wonderful guy. He sells beauty supplies. Brian is in Nashville and plays Christian music. My band in the late sixties and early seventies "Bittersweet," actually discovered him in Beetle. I was no longer with them at the time. He sat in with them and was apparently awesome and they told him to move to Austin when he got out of school which he did. His first gig here was with that same group renamed "Springfield west" which I had also left at the time which is why they were regrouping and looking for a guitarist. Danny is also from Beetle. Tom Holder was doing some jingle work for a while but I haven't heard from him in years. He left them to pursue a solo career as a guitarist / singer / songwriter, but didn't have any luck I guess. Its like looking for old army buddies you know. We all went through this war and came out with all sorts of maladies...Now we just struggle to keep on." (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: "Too Smooth...i never had the chance to see them, but i remember playing a gig in Lawton, OK and this was even before the first bands i mentioned ...a band called Sizzortail. All this club owner could talk about was 'Too Smooth was really good' (in sort of a condescending way) (like hey, we're standing right here, dude!), even to the point where he was saying Too Smooth loaded their equipment out much faster.....what a jerk... But, i didn't doubt that too smooth was good. I saw 14K (previously Too Smooth) at Corpus Christi on a night off. Thought they were a very good copy band. Also, saw them in Austin once several years later." (Contributed by Gary Berry) Gary writes: "..wanted to add some things I remember about a great guitar player, Brian Wooten. The very first time I saw him play was in a band called The Afternoon Tea at a free little concert at the city park in Refugio, Texas around 1967. The band was from Beeville, Tx., just up the road from Refugio and nobody had really heard of them. Brian Wooten was on guitar, Juan Segovia on bass, Billy Blackman on drums. I can't recall who the lead singer was, unfortunately, but what blew everyone away was Brian's note for note covers of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. The guys were in their teens, but could play their ass off. Later, Brian, Juan ,and Billy played around Beeville and in Refugio as Wootsie. Brian's older brother also was in this group and played guitar and harp on some really good Beatle covers. Danny Sweeney would trade out with Juan on bass, occasionally. Brian played fantastic lead guitar and just kept getting better and better. I would see Brian in Too Smooth on occasion at The Sun Valley Club in Victoria. This club also hosted ZZ Top back when they toured with all their stuff in a U-Haul truck. At this time, Brian is doing Nashville studio work and touring with the country singer, Paul Brandt." (Contributed by Roger Johnson) Roger writes: "Your writeup on Too Smooth was on the money. I saw them in a little club off Data Point in 1977 or '78 and was blown away. Wooten was a great guitarist. I also saw them at Villa Fontana on a Sunday afternoon gig that place was sort of famous for. One of the best bands I ever saw, period. (Contributed by Jerry WorrelI) JW writes: "I used to just love going to the Armadillo World Headquarters, Mother Earth (when it was on South Lamar before it burned down, and after it moved to Riverside Dr.), Continental Club, Steamboat and many others. Going to see Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bugs Henderson and Van Wilks was always a joy, but I was an absolute junkie for Too Smooth. I read the comments you and your friends had about Too Smooth, and I can only add that the original drummer was believed to be named Tommy who was just incredible. He was later replaced by one of the best drummers Austin ever produced named Chris Skiles, who later drummed a few songs on a couple of Van Wilks albums. I first saw Too Smooth at Mother Earth and they were the first live band I ever saw. One of the most vivid recollections I have of the band was Jeff Clarke wearing his glitter-covered Converse All-Stars and shorts, while being offset by Danny Swinney wearing a very nice three-piece suit. Man, those guys could absolutely ROCK! They had songs like Song For The World, Texas Hospitality, Where Has All The Magic Gone, Mamie Mama, We Can Wait Until Then, and several others I can still remember most of the words to. Of their music, I have a crummy recording of Song For The World, and a little better recording of Mamie Mama and Don't Stop Loving Me (the latter made during a time when Brian Wooten and Danny Swinney had been temporarily replaced by a couple of guys from the Dallas area - don't remember who they were, but think they later played in a band called Lodella or something like that." (Contributed by Phil Dalmolin) PD writes: "Too Smooth: For whatever reason Tom Holden was leaving the band and I was in SA playing with a band called Canon, the remnants of a band called Potters Wheel. This band had members, John Donaho; singer/guitar (deceased), Alfred Balderama; keys, Billy Cochran; fiddle, mandolin, guitar Michael (flea) Feliciano; lead guitar, Johnny Short; bass, and myself. Gene Coleman called me and said that his friends in Too Smooth were looking for a drummer and that I should go audition. He had played them a demo of Canon's and Brian Wooten especially liked my fills. I went to Austin and auditioned and got the gig. At the same time they picked up another singer guitar player named Don Townsley. Don wrote good songs too. As a soloist he was no Wooten but he kinda kinda had a character that added to the band. As if Wooten is to Eric Johnson, Don was to Clapton. As time went on Danny and I became good friends and Jeff and Brian just sort of put up with me. I think they liked me as a person it was just my playing they weren't too crazy about. Looking back, I don't blame them. I must say at the time I wasn't at the top of my game. I played OK, but was young and didn't practice much....(at all). After about 10 months We played a showcase for Free flow productions with Christopher Cross for a record deal and CC got it and we didn't. Jeff and Don had some GREAT songs but way too heavy for the foofy market that was going on at the time. Think about it, Maime mama, Don't Stop, and Spanada Kid, up against Sailing and minstrel gigolo (although Eric Johnson's solo on "minstrel gigolo" was stellar). Michael Omartian (the producer) was looking for that, not six stacks of Marshall cabinets. Anyway some friends of mine were forming a funk band back in SA and so I went and did that, which was Gone City. I think just in the nick of time because I think not getting the deal made Jeff and the guys take a good look at the band and I was the weak link. I must say Chris Skiles filled the position much better that I did." (Contributed by Danny Swinney) DS writes: "What a great site you have for great nostalgia. I'm Danny Swinney, original bassist for Too Smooth, and thank Tommy Taylor and Phil D. for their kind words. And all the other folks for remembering Too Smooth. When time permits I would like to contribute as much info as I can on our history. Just for now I'm happy to inform everyone that the original members, Tom Holden{drums and vocals], Jeff Clark [guitar, keyboards, and vocals], Brian Wooten [guitar and vocals], myself, Phil Dalmolin [second drummer], and Chris Skiles[third drummer] will re-unite for two nights, Jan. 30-31 [maybe Feb. 1, too], at the Saxon Pub in Austin,Tx. Everyone come party and reminisce with us in 2003! Thanks again and peace!" (Contributed by Bobby Stoner) BS writes: "I grew up in Woodsboro, about five miles from Refugio. We didn't have a lot to do so music was our life. In the mid-70's ROCK finally came to our area in the form of Too Smooth. They played at a place outside of town called Voges's."(Contributed by Scott Walker) SW writes: "The first time I saw Too Smooth was as a warn up for Foreigner. Tommy walked our wearing a T-shirt that said "Too F*&^ Smooth". I was sitting on the 5th row and other than being blow away by volume, was a Too Smooth fan from that moment on. This was in 1977. I also saw them at the Binary Star, Mother Blues, and somewhere over on Greenville ave in Dallas. In Austin, the Armadillo was my favorite venue with the most memorable being when they played with Head East and had a killer opening and I know video taped the whole thing. I followed them into their 14K days and though it was good I knew things (times) were changing. I spent many days writing down lyrics to help me remember their songs. Too Smooth vs the rest of the bands out there was probably my favorite. They had the songs, sound, guitar lics, you name it. Saw two nights at the Saxon Pub and it was like going back in time. Also saw that they planned to play at the (new) Steamboat but June wasn't a good month for Steamboat. Crap! And they would have sounded sooooo good there. How I miss their songs. I know they released a another single with "Crippled duck" and I forget what was on the other side. I have the mamie mama single but it hasn't made it through time very well. (Warped) If anyone who hears that they are going to play, I would like a email. Danny, Brian, or Tommy, if you read this, please contact me for possible songs that you have on tape or whatever. The songs are stuck in my head but my memory is not what it use to be, which is frustrating. Glad I got a 20 yr (ish) refresher but hope to see you guys back on stage somewhere. It was very special." (Contributed by Mike Mason) MM writes: "Is Brian Wooten touring with Chris Cagle? I thought I saw him playing guitar at Cheyenne Frontier Days. I knew Brian when he played with a band called rattle snake in Beeville." (Contributed by Dean Schanbaum) ML writes: "Dean turned me on to this video link on YouTube that he made of Too Smooth back in 79'. OUTSTANDING. I counted a total of 4 videos by Dean and Others. Click the link to see "Mamie Mama" on You Tube courtesy of Dean. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Gn6D5ffug (Contributed by David Jones) DJ writes: "Jeff Clark told me that Brian Wooten replaced Stevie (SRV) in a band named "Stump". Stump later formed into Too Smooth." (Contributed by Billy Blackmon) BB writes: "As has been mentioned here previously, Brian and Danny later joined Stump in Austin around 1972-73. Stump were renamed 'Too Smooth' around 1973. They were the PREMIERE Texas rock and roll band of the 1970s and early 80's. I've seen a lot of bands from Texas and none could touch Too Smooths overall musicianship (ALL of them were stellar). As a drummer, I can honestly say that I've never seen a drummer who could sing and play was well as Tom Holden (except maybe Phil Collins). Brian is unmatched as a guitarist, and that includes SRV and Eric Johnson. He has been a prodigy since he was 14 (I was there). It's criminal he's never gotten the recognition he deserves. Jeff Clarks guitar solos are all classics - I saw them recently for the first time in almost 25 years and I realized I had them all memorized note for note. He's one of the few lead guitarists who knows how to compose a solo. Danny Swinney is a great bassist. Never too loud, never monotonous, never overplays, always funky and fills in the holes, can play every style of music. His playing matches the unending smile on his face - a truly marvelous human being and my best friend. I've probably seen Too Smooth 200 times (really - I was a BIG fan) and I've never seen a bad performance. I've played with Brian Wooten many, many times and seen him in other bands many, many times and I must say I have NEVER heard him make a mistake.........his ability is almost scary. I'm glad others here are aware of him. If you get a chance to see him with Trace Adkins or a Too Smooth reunion, don't miss it."

TOUCHSTONE - (Contributed by Robin Overall) Robin writes: "This was one of singer / songwriter Suzie Jensen's best bands around 1970. This was the first time San Antonio got to see the great bassist Bill Rowe who I think later moved to Houston and played in some of
the jazz / rock fusion bands there. I don't remember the other members names." (Contributed by John Fonte) JF writes: "First configuration lineup: Louis Siedlecki-vocals / Suzi Jensen-vocalist extroidinaire / David Poehlmann-guitar / Leon Oehlers-drums / JW Fonte-student bassist. I was the bassist for Touchstone from it's origin until the Summer I got drafted in 1970. I escaped to Florida, beat the draft (but later joined USAF in 1977) and kept playing music in Tampa until returning to Texas in 1973, whereupon I fell in with a group that became regulars at a funky bar named CRAZY DARRELL'S at the old Fred Road shopping center. Galen's group Homer and Touchstone opened a disastrous Sunken Gardens BLUE CHEER show and we later played there as openers for the MC5. In those days it was hard to get on concerts, but somehow we kept the pressure on and while I was still bassist we opened for Zappa at the Muni Auditorium in the months preceding my getting hooked by the draft. I still maintain contact with Leon Oehlers and occasionally with Louis Siedlecki but have lost contact with David Poehlmann and Suzi Jensen. One particularly fond memory is the night we returned to the Jam Factory and really had it on. Another weird memory was the beginning of our run at The Spook House and we had to deal with a bunch of Bandido's who thought it was a "Free Gig". Texas was good to me and I met the best people in my musical endeavors."

THE TOYS - (Contributed by Misty Valley) MV writes: "The Toys came onto the San Antonio scene in 1983. Members consisted of Randy Millican (Guitars & Vocals), Shaun F. Hedgepeth (Drums & Lead Vocals), Norman Ramirez (Bass & Vocals), and Darryl Inman (Keyboards & Vocals). These guys were from the Southside (Valley-Hi) and could really rock the house. They played at Cooter Brown’s, Great Jubilations, Mr. G’s, Image Teen Club, The New West, and they were the first and only rock band ever play at NIOSA. They were the house band at the nightclub Fizz on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights drawing record crowds. They played some cover tunes to basically get in door of most of the clubs (top 40 stuff), but they had some really great original tunes that were very popular. Shaun F. Hedgepeth, a former student of Jeff Ryder, won Best Drummer of San Antonio in the 1985 Battle of the Bands that was held at the Sunken Gardens amphitheater. He is a multi-award winning drummer that has recorded and toured with numerous bands, here are a few to list: The Toys, Southern Comfort, Entre Nous, The Danny Cowan Group, The Wheels, The Byron West Band, Melodic Groove, Broken Home, Mr. Big, SSWC Jazz Band, and more… Shaun has been on numerous records, on television and radio for his drumming. Shaun is currently playing with the Wheels from Boerne and gives drum lessons aside from being a Professor at UTSA and Palo Alto College. Randy Millican won best guitar player at the 1985 Battle of the Band at the Sunken Gardens amphitheater. He still plays and is an electrical engineer in Austin. Darryl Inman still plays the keyboard on his spare time, but is a pilot for Atlas Airlines in Oklahoma City. Norman Ramirez lives in Los Angeles, California where he manages several bands and owns a security company. I hope this bring back some memories out there for some of you." (Contributed by Darryl Inman) DI writes: "Just stumbled across your website .... very cool! thought i'd send you an update. I was the keyboardist for the Toys. You have me listed as a pilot for Atlas Air. I am however, now a pilot (Captain) at Jetblue Airways, New York. Thanks for the cool flashback."

THE TRACKERS - (Contributed by Roger Barnes) RB writes: "A 60's New Braunfels Band ....The Trackers. They were a group with, I believe, 3 brothers in it and had cut a single titled "You Are My World" which got airplay in South Texas in about 1966. My bandmate Court Thielman was a good friend of their bass player.... "

TRAYDWINDS - (Contributed by Brad Jowers) "Click HERE to read an in depth history of this band contributed by Brad Jowers. ML adds: To anyone who has read the article link above.. keep in mind that Brad may have confused the year in which the events he described occurred. Several posts have come in disputing the year. See the next several posts.. (Contributed by Ann In Dallas) Ann writes: "Sorry but I have to correct Brad Jowers. The band at the Dunes in Port Aransas in 1967 WAS Max, Mike Marechal, Ronnie Huth, Bill King, Sam Allen and Chris Holzhaus. I WAS THERE!!! And when I wasn't in Port Aransas with them, I was at Bill King's house watching them practice. I know plenty of San Antonio girls that were there, also." (Contributed by Chris Holzhaus) CH writes: "I guess Jowers memory is off a year or two. He claims that they were the house band at the Dunes in Port Aransas in 67'. I was in Max and Plumleys Pirates that summer, & don't remember Thailkill's band playing there that summer. Here is the lineup, Max Range -vocals, Bill King -guitar, Ronnie Huth -vox organ, Mike Marechal -Bass and me on lead. The year before we played at the Dunes in 67, it was Max and the Laughing Kind (66), Bill King was always in the band with Max from 65-67. In 65, it was Max and the Lingsmen. The Lingsmen broke up because 2 of them joined the 13th Floor Elevators in 65." (Contributed by Elizabeth Moon) EM writes: "The article that Brad Jowers wrote on The Traydwinds, he mentioned that the band moved to Austin in 1967 and later became the Luv Light, with John Moon on bass. John Moon was my oldest brother, and though he died in a car accident in 1977 (as mentioned in the article), he remains the most influential person in my life. I can't tell you how happy I was to see the article on your site; it is like John is still alive, at least electronically! Thanks so much for your web site, and for posting the article; it truly made my day." (Contributed by Peggy Hicks) PH writes: "My brother, John Moon, was in a band called the Traydwinds, which became known as the Luv Light when it moved to Austin. John was also in a band called The Texas Starmen & he died tragically in an auto accident on August 20, 1977, while he & the band were on their way to a gig in or near Victoria, TX. He signed a recording contract just 3 days prior to his death, & it's a tragedy that his life was cut short when he was on the verge of maybe making it big. He is survived by his band mates, his wife, & his stepson, whom he was attempting to adopt at the time of his death.

TRINIDAD PANMASTERS - (Contributed by Steve Trowbridge) ST writes: "I haven't seen anything on "The Trinidad Panmasters" (1990-1993) on the new site, but I'm proud to say I ran sound for that truly great band for four years and would love to have my name associated with them."

TRINITY - DL writes: "I heard them play at a hotel near West Ave. They were three guys of Mexican American descent. One was on drums, one was on guitar, and the lead singer also played organ and simulated the bass guitar on the organ. They were very good."

THE TROLLS - (Contributed by Kurt Linhof) Kurt writes: "The Trolls (mid-late '65) were from Randolph. We played our first gig as the warm-up for the Sir Douglas Quintet at Teen Canteen, Doug's first gig after their English promo tour for 'She's About A Mover'. We were good at Stones tunes (who wasn't?), but that was about it. We would come in 3rd at best in the big Teen Canteen Battles of the Bands, behind the Outcasts and Spidels, and if any other decent bands showed up, then we'd be 4th or 5th. Not much to talk about. Personnel were: Dave Orwell - vocals, 'Reverb' Ralph Climer - lead guitar, Lex Akers - rhythm guitar, Jimmy Newhouse - drums, Kurt Linhof - bass. I have no idea what happened to any of these guys except Newhouse, who is playing a little in Houston." (Contributed by Lex Akers) LA writes: "It was great to see the write-up by Kurt about the Trolls. I was living in San Antonio when Doug passed on and recalled the fun night we had playing warm-up for the Sir Douglas Quintet. The band later broke up when the bass player than came after Kurt was drafted. I don't recall his name." (Contributed by Ralph Hooper) RH writes: Hey, I played lead guitar in The Trolls. At the time I was using my step-father's last name (Climer). When I went into the service I had to use my legal last name (Hooper). I still remember all of the guys and the bass player's name who got drafted was Mike Hunt. Those were very good times and I hope some of the band members contact me. Spent a year in Vietnam (1969-1970) and eventually ended up in North Dakota. Surely, no one would ever think I would end up a CPA/Attorney with an emphasis in tax! Hell, we were kicked out of a battle of the bands once because my hair was too long! Life is very strange isn't it? My favorite group is still the Stones. I hope all the band members have had a good life and are enjoying what they are doing now."

TWILIGHT - (Contributed by Mike Workman) MW writes: "Nov90-Jul92: Twilight played a lot on St. Mary's at Nona’s. Band members were John Sippell on bass, Bobby Hargarther on guitar, Steve Edwards on drums, Carl Span on sax, me on keys, and Carmen Bryant. When she left, Janine Love took over vocals. I think this was the time period when SA Current named Twilight to best band, me to best keyboard. Truthfully, we were promoting the hell out of it."

TWO WEEKS NOTICE - (Contributed by Roger Johnson) Roger writes: "I saw where you were needing info on Gary Friedrich. If it is the fellow I am thinking about he was playing guitar for Two Weeks Notice (Phil Arroyo, et al) in the late 80's and might still gig with them occasionally. I saw them one night down on St. Mary's during Fiesta in '88 or '89." (Contributed by Phil Arroyo) PA writes: "That experience (Alice & Wonderland) spawned my most favorite band to date in "Two Weeks Notice". That band consisted of Ricky Hernandez, Gary Freidrich, Tommy Stephens, John David Martinez, David McDavid and myself. However, over the 6-7 years that followed, we went through several bass players (what is it with bass players?) such as Pat Wellberg, Kort Ogden, Roger Santos, Mike Novak, then Pat again, then Roger again. Anyway, that was a very, very special project and we were fortunate to make decent pay and we stayed busy all the time."

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ULTRA - BAND MEMBERS: Galen Niles - guitar / Larry McGuffin - guitar / Don Evans / Scott Stephen - Bass. ML writes: After the breakup of the band HOMER, Galen Niles went into a period of semi retirement. A buddy of mine named Larry McGuffin, who was a current Niles guitar pupil, kept telling me how he was slowly managing to talk Galen into forming a group. Over time this came to be with the formation of the group ULTRA. I caught this act at a small club off Austin Hwy one night and the guys blew me away. It was a return to Homer style twin lead guitars, original tunes, and a no nonsense musical direction. This act aimed at higher goals than remaining a club act. I never had a chance to see them again but heard they had made a recording. (Contributed by Scott Stephans) SS writes: "I'm Scott Stephens. I'm not sure you would remember me, but we used to play the Teen Canteen in SA for years. I played in Jury with Dickie James, John Liberto, and Tome Schleuning. After that, Tom Schleuning and myself teamed up with Galen Niles, Don Evans, and Larry McGuffin to form Ultra. John Ramirez and myself were also business partners in Meteor Music. It's actually kind of funny as to what happened a couple years ago. Galen gets a call out of the blue from some guy with Monster Records (www.monsterrecords.com) out of Chicago (now in San Antonio). This guy somehow ran across a demo 33LP that we had recorded at UAR in the mid 70's. Bob Bruce engineered it. It just had a white sleeve, no cover photos, no text, and was recorded only on one side. In fact, we used to laugh and say it was actually "whiter" than the Beatles White album. Anyway, this guy wants the masters to re-release the thing. We also gave him some other recordings that were only on tape and never pressed. Amazingly, we've sold over 800 copies of the damned thing! I have to tell you... the American consumer never ceases to amaze me. Galen now has the franchise and manages the Thrifty Nickel in Corpus Christi, Larry works at a pawn shop here in town, Don is a night manager for a motel on Loop 410, Tom works for a radio station in LA, and I co-own a factory in Taiwan that produces the Stephanhouser (www.stephanhouser.com) saxophone. We sell and distribute them here in the US and most of the European countries." (Contributed by Sam Wakefield) SW writes: "Ultra (featuring Galen Niles) allegedly was the opening act for the Sex Pistols show at Randy's Rodeo. Can anyone confirm this? Galen taught many SA luminaries the basics of guitar playing." (Contributed by Scott Stephens) SS writes: "This is in response to Sam Wakefield's question concerning Ultra opening up for the Sex Pistols. Yes,Ultra and the Vamps did indeed open for the Sex Pistols at Randy's Rodeo. Without question, that was the most over the top gig I ever played in my life. You can't imagine. An aside.. I had just flown in from some meetings in San Francisco. I was still in my pinstripe suit, French cuffed shirt, and tie (trust me, I don't dress like this all of the time). My wife picks me up at the airport and wants to go to the mall to by some birthday gifts for my 14 year old daughter. She had just gotten off work also and was still in her suit too. While we were at the GAP, there was a kid standing in line behind us that had an old torn Sex Pistols tee shirt on. I turned around to him and said "Man I really like that shirt, where did you get it"? He said "thanks" and told me where he bought it. I then made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I told him that I was the bass player in one of the bands the opened up for the Sex Pistols here in San Antonio. This kid looked me up and down and started laughing uncontrollably. He thought I had to be the biggest damn liar on the planet! Actually, I have to tell you, I started laughing myself. There was simply no way that some 50 year old guy in a bankers pinstripe suit was ever gong to convince the kid that I not only played bass in the band that opened for the Sex Pistols but partied hardy with them backstage! I told my wife on the way home that it might be time to start thinking about nursing homes!!!!!"

THE UNION JACKS - (Contributed by Ray Fuller) RF writes: "The Union Jacks Band was together from 1967-1971 with two sets of members. First group was Butch Denny and Spencer Drake on guitars, Pat Arnold playing bass, Mark Donahue on Organ with Fred Donaldson and later Geoff Mayes keeping the beat. Second version was Val Roessling and Ray Fuller on guitars, Vance Reid played bass, Joey Peacock on drums and Mark from the original group playing keyboards. Original group played the Holiday Inn at Lake McQueeney, Trinity, Mystic Moor and other places. Second version played lots of South Texas gigs and in S.A. played at the Pusi-Kat, opened for Sweet Smoke several times and once opened for ZZtop at Trinity in 1969. This was before ZZ was "'nationwide," but still "Shakin' Your Tree" in Texas. Both band versions did several Saturday morning stints on Swingtime. Original Union Jacks guitarist Spencer Drake is now lead man for bluegrass band The Ledbetters and plays all around Texas and sometimes travels to Tennessee. Val Roessling now lives at Canyon Lake and plays around the Gruene area in the Amazing Quitters. One of the band's best stories is when our New Year's Eve 1969 gig fell through and we decided to play the battle of the bands at Teen Canteen. Although we did play the Canteen on a regular basis we thought doing the "battle thing" was a little beneath us. So, being the smart asses we were, we decided to change our name to "Herbie Kumquat and the Maypole Dancers" for one night. We won the battle and Sam Kinsey started getting us gigs with the fake name. For awhile people were actually willing to pay more money for Herbie Kumquat and The Maypole Dancers than the Union Jacks."

UNITED - ( Contributed by Phil Moran a.k.a. OKIE D ) BAND MEMBERS: Paul Kandera - guitar,voc / Willie Melon - bass,voc / Urban Urbano - drums / Doug Brock - drums,congas. Also: Louis Harrell and Bruce Swboda. Phil writes: I'll never forget the first time I saw UNITED. It was a battle of the bands at the TEEN CANTEEN. They set up on the left side of the dance floor in front of the stage. They were tight and HEAVY. Urban and Doug produced a massive, 2 drum set assault, but not overdone or cluttered. GREAT! Paul played a brown sunburst single pickup Gibson Firebird through a Marshall 50w amp. Willie played a Gibson EB-0 bass through a big SUNN amp. They played Paul's songs "Fly United" and "Boiling Blood". Then they finished their set with G.F.R.'s "Mr. Limousine Driver" which they delivered at an excruciating, gut grinding tempo. (Killer Cool!). I guess Sam (Kinsey) didn't book them much. He probably didn't appreciate their, "Bad boy / below the belt", approach to r&r. I loved it!

U.S. KIDS - (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: US Kids....i had always heard a lot about these guys...saw a pic of them..one of the members had these real tall platform tennis shoes (i was always looking for semi-outrageous stuff to wear so i noticed these things...things i wouldn't be caught dead in now probably!)

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STEVIE RAY VAUGHN - See Photos HERE & HERE ML writes: Stevie was a regular club artist around the Texas scene long before he reached massive fame. In the early 1980's I saw him at a club called Maggies on San Pedro Ave in SA. I paid $2 at the door and his band Double Trouble had drawn an average crowd for a semi local performer. On this evening, the band was a trio featuring Stevie, Tommy Shannon (formerly with Johnny Winters) on bass (wearing his trademark beret), and Chris Layton on drums. The band was rocking and the dance floor was full. Stevie was a great guitarist but did not strike me as any more special than local guys like Holzhaus or even Paul Kandera on a good night. Also, he was nowhere near the awesome power of Eric Johnson who was also a local pre-fame club artist at the time. Commonly seen around San Antonio and Austin. I guess I was a little jaded by all the great talent in the local area. Still, Stevie was playing great that night and I had a great time. He was using his brown beat up Strat through a single Fender twin reverb and a pedal or two. A simple guitar setup. All he did was turn that twin all the way up and rip. Every so often he would hit a pedal but most of time he was simply blowing with the amp wide open. I went up to him on his break and commented that the band sounded great tonight. He told me that he had not had a chance to play SA in a while and that he would be going back to Dallas after the gig. He said he had been down in Corpus the night before. I asked him how he manages to do those string stretches with such heavy gauge strings. He said "you get used to it after awhile and besides, it's the only way to get a thick tone out of the strat". We chatted a bit more then said "good talking to ya", then he went and got a drink at the bar. I hung out for the remainder of the night just enjoying the action. A pretty typical night out seeing local talent. Little did I know at the time what was about to happen with his fame and all. ML writes: Chris Holzhaus wrote to tell me of an earlier and longer term lineup in the years before called "The Triple Threat Review". ( Contributed by Chris Holzhaus ) Chris writes: "WC Clark was on bass in them days...also Johnny Reno from Big D was on sax". (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: "I once opened for Stevie Ray Vaughan in '87 at OKC Zoo Amphitheater. The band i was in for the SRV show was called Blue Tuesday. I have a couple pictures of us together, and several autographs. There was a write-up in the Daily Oklahoman about the show and i got my name mentioned in the article saying i had 'steamy solos', so that was nice..(it WAS kinda hot up there!) He wanted to buy my old Marshall. He was real nice." (Contributed by Randy Galliher) Randy writes: "I saw Stevie Ray Vaughn at the San Antonio Speedway circa 1982. Kiss FM (99.9) had a special concert where you could get in for a buck. Most of the bands were not too memorable. Stevie Ray started playing and I had to get up front to see him up close. I was amazed by his guitar style. About a year later he started making 'big'." (Contributed by Martin Medina) MM writes: "Yeah, he used to play Maggie's a lot, but back then it was called Reed's Red Derby. I remember seeing him with a female vocalist (Luann Barton, or Marcia Ball maybe?) - I thought she was Stevie Ray Vaughn!!! I too stood up front and was totally amazed. I saw him during a break and mumbled something about how great he was, he just smiled and said thanks." (Contributed by Steven Haynes) SH writes: "When I was about 12, My mom would sneak me into a club called Reeds RED Derby (now Maggies) to see a group warm up for a female piano player named Nabiko. It was the Triple Threat Trio (SRV). Just a little trivia, my dad later played regularly with Easy Money at that club when it became Maggies." (Contributed by Hunter Harrison) HH writes: "I saw SRV and Double Trouble play one night at Skipwilly's (former Teen Canteen) Me and my friend were the only two people (other than the staff) in the place! A four hour gig just for us! They played like there was a whole room full of people there. Those were the good old days."

THE VIEW - (Contributed by Jody Moore) JM writes: "Everything for me really began in '85 with The View (Clark Stevens, Greg Norris, Val Mora and I). Clark, along with Brent, was also "the shared-feature", of Michael Michael and The Max in their absolute best form... Clark, my best friend since '84 (we went to college together) kept The View going in the background as a
corporate money-machine (alla Marius' MM & Max-style corp) with a list of players that was to become the All-Star list of all bands in SA, Austin, Houston and Dallas for about 5 years. Clark went to LA for a year and was studio manager for Babyface's LaFace Records...I did all the artwork for logos, stage banners, CD covers, as well as websites for a number of the folks flowing through the "View" era...Clark's back now, and the View is better than ever."

VINCE VANCE & THE VALIENTS - ML writes: These guys played all over the state and made quite a noise in the late 70's and early 80's. Basically a 50's style revival band to the Nth degree. The main story was said to be a really crazy and manic style stage show. They did crazy stunts and skits and took total delight in embarrassing targeted members of the audience. Very Las Vegas. Don't know what happened to them. (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: "Vince Vance played all over the place! Seems like we (my band) were following them around on one jaunt. There were all these holes in the ceiling tile above this stage where we were to play. I asked the guy working there why the ceiling was all fucked up..he said Vince Vance and the Valiants did it. I think they were thrusting their mike stands thru it. A few years ago i finally saw him and his band at the Oklahoma state fair....during the day i saw him do a little show outside a tent...really weird seeing him and all these straight people gawking at him...he had these chicks that ran around in green cheerleader uniforms. Vince had real tall hair....i do believe that he had the tall hair thing happening way before Dino Lee (another Texas boy). Later i saw him that night on the big stage and there were a lot of people watching the show. I remember one of the girls singing a really good version of "Tell Him" by the Exciters. A friend of mine said he had heard Vince was a suspect in the killing of his girlfriend or wife..and that there was even a thing on one of those news shows about it. I never heard any more about that." (Contributed by Cindy) Cindy writes: "I first saw Vince Vance and the Valiants in Metarie (outside New Orleans) on a parade float during Marti Gras. I followed the float down the street a couple of blocks listening to them. I remember that they sounded soooo good and it was "happy" music. That was in 1975. The next time I saw them was in Fort Worth at Spencer's Corner and Spencer's Palace. Must have been in the late '70's. In 1987 they played in a parking lot on Bryant Irvin Road for the grand opening of a restaurant / bar. (?) By then the Valianettes had joined up and the big hair had been added. And a couple of years ago (2000) I saw them in Burleson playing an outside concert-which I absolutely loved-and was amazed at how fast he can change costumes! And then this year (2002) in June they played Burleson again. So I guess I've been a fan for ...27 years. Never a dull moment, that's for sure!" (Contributed by Chris Holzhaus) Chris writes: "Thought you might want to know that Vince Vance and the Valiants are still playing, they are booked at the Greek Bros. club in El Campo this month!! FUCKIN AMAZING...!" (Contributed by Hunter Harrison) HH writes: "The only other thing that I could think of to add was about Vince Vance and the Valiants, but I can't remember if it was them or Flash Cadillac that did a great Supremes inpersonation, masks and all. I do recall that Vince Vance and the Valiants had a really tall guy playing guitar or bass, I think they called him Hood? and he wore a mask of some kind? Am I imagining this?"

VIOLA CRAYOLA - (Contributed by Phil Moran) Viola brothers - guitar and drums (Ron). Bill Jolly-bass / others?. This was a great band in the vein of jazz instrumental outfits. At the time they were aiming for the crown held by such bands and as Quartett and other of this fusion genre. Might have been contenders if not for the unfortunate untimely death of the two brothers in an auto accident. Amazing band. (Contributed by Charlie Palmer) CP writes: "I went to school in San Antonio with the Viola brothers, so here's some additional info for your entry on Viola Crayola. They recorded one album in New York on a label called Fautna. The album was titled 'Music: Breathing of Statues.' It's apparently a rare and sought after L.P. by some record collectors. It occasionally is listed among psychedelic albums, but mostly just wild instrumental stuff. The band was Tony (Anthony) Viola on guitar, Ron Viola on drums and Bill Jolly on bass. I didn't find out until years later about them being killed in a car/train wreck in San Antonio in August 1974." (Contributed by Steve Denney) SD writes: "'Music: Breathing of Statues' was quite an album - rock/fusion-type instrumentals with a whacked-out sense of humor. After Tony Viola (guitar) was killed in a car/train accident, his brother Ronnie (drums) continued the group, adding Kurt Otto (guitar/keys) and Barry Littleton (sax/keys). Bill Jolly (bass) left and was replaced by Butch Denney. I remember a gig they played at a place called the "S.A. Museum of Modern Art" near SAC, probably around '78. Barry had his treated Mellotron full of industrial sound effects. They played very heavy, jazz-rock stuff with lots of improvisation and nice little performance-art touches (like Butch spraying flames across the stage with a cigarette lighter and a can of WD-40). Half of the crowd was wildly enthusiastic; the other half was bewildered and terrified." (Contributed by Steve Wisnoski) SW writes: "2 readers has said both the brothers were killed in the tragic train accident. I went to SAC with Ron Viola about the time this happened, and as I remember Ron was the sole survivor as he wasn't in the vehicle. I was a great fan, and respected Ron a great deal. Later on, my roomate and I were graced with a few visits to our place in Monte Vista, and had a swell time drinkin beer and acting goofy. I remember that they recorded the album, 'Breathing of Statues', as winners of a national jazz magazine's contest." (Added by Charlie Palmer) CP writes: "Your other contributors are right. As I understand it, the accident killed Tony, his girlfriend Beverly Camp (credited with layout on the album) and Tony and Ron's mother. Ron was not in the car. The album is now available as an import CD from Radioactive Records. I got if for less than $15 online. Great stuff!

VIRGIL FOXX GROUP - See Photo HERE: Jay Hoyer-voc / Rob Meurer- drums / Bob Galindo-guitar / Rick "Crow" Mendez-guitar / Mike Long-bass. (Contributed by Rob Meurer) Rob writes: "All four of the members were previously in a band called THE ZILCHES with Phil Arroyo. Virgil Foxx played a lot at the Pussy Cat and the Jam Factory (same place, different name). Also there was a club where a lot of us played now and then, called The Mind's Eye. Very psychedelic joint, lots of smoke and strobe lights. But the Jam Factory was the mainstay for an awful lot of our groups for a long time." (Contributed by Bob Galindo) Bob writes: "We (The Virgil Foxx Group) could play the hell out of "manic depression". Rob Meurer was truly one of the finest kick ass drummers in town and the guy had a beautiful foot too. He could kick the shit out of his bass drum and make you wanna dance. I think a guy named "Pineapple" showed us the beauty of the goodfoot. Pineapple may have been the drummer for Augie Meyer's Lord August And The Visions Of Light." (Contributed by Geoffrey Mayes) GM writes: "Virgil Foxx Group reformed in the early 70's with Jay Hoyer (vocal), Crow Mendez (lead guitar), Keith Rubenstein (keyboard), Joe Sarli (bass) and yours truly Geoff Mayes (drums). We played the usual San Antonio area venues: Jam Factory, Sunken Gardens, Mother Earth in Austin, etc. We beat Chris Gephardt's band "Flash" out of the money at more than one Battle of The bands. Of course Chris (Christopher Cross) went on to win a Grammy for "Sailing" and an Academy Award for the theme to the motion picture, "Arthur". Chris was awesome. Back in those Virgil Foxx days, we had the opportunity to play on the same show with Flash Cadillac And The Continental Kids of American Graffiti fame, The Yellow Pages, and even had Hot Tuna (Grace Slick wouldn't participate) play our last set at the Jam Factory when they were in town for a concert. We also played the High School Prom / Austin Frat circuit and even played a Bar Mitzvah at the old Turtle Creek Country Club. Jay was in rare form with the 13 year old teeny boppers and Jewish mothers. Jay could handle any crowd no matter what the situation. We used to get together at Jay's old house downtown on Dwyer before playing the Jam Factory and down a couple of bottles of Legacy scotch. Jay was so drunk a couple of times that the microphone stand was the only thing that kept him from falling off the stage."

VIZION - (Contributed by Albert) Albert writes: "Vizion from Houston. Late 70's with a cute female vocalist Jan Houston"

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THE WANDERING SLUGLORDS - (Contributed by CJ Wilson) MEMBERS: C.J. Wilson-guitar,voc /Ross(Roscoe)Shoemaker-vocals and various yelling / Nitro-Bass /Randy Fowlkes-Drums. Late eighties (briefly together...kind of a punk band doing Motorhead, Iggy & the Stooges, the Trashmen and other wild '60's classic groups. This was just for fun but it went over great!

THE WATER BROTHERS - ( Contributed by Chris Holzhaus ) BAND MEMBERS: Don Evans - drums, main vocals / Bucky Payne - drums / Ricky (Kopf?) (Coff?) - bass / Don Rogers - guitar / Bob Galindo - guitar. Played around town (70'-72') at clubs and places like Teen Canteen. ML writes: I seem to remember them as a trio. All had shoulder length blond hair and gave off a respectable stage persona. Played tight and aggressive. (Contributed by Rob Meurer ) Rob writes: "I know the names of some of the Water Brothers. Bucky Payne, Don Rogers, Ricky Coff (sp?). I think that's right". (Contributed by Bob Galindo ) Bob writes: "Yes, I was a brother for a very short period of time. Bucky Payne on drums , and then Don Evans on drums and vocals (for a while - Bucky later returned to drums), Ricky Kopf (sp?) on bass and ?? Rogers on guitar (can't remember his first name)". (Contributed by Richard Contreras) RC writes: "Instead of the name Don Rogers it was John Rogers, who also was an artist in residence for the Texas Institute. During the water Brothers fame and that of the Children crowd."

WATER MELON BAND - ( Contributed by Phil Moran a.k.a. OKIE D ) BAND MEMBERS: Frankie Collins - voc,harp / David Dobbs - guitar / Ricky Zienert - bass (later replaced by Ricky Wells) / Gary Eisenberg - drums. Phil writes: San Antonio's hardcore Boogie & blues band hailing from the south side (McCreless,Goliad Rd area). Traditional R&B with some original Boogie tunes. Collins was (is) a great Chicago style harp man. (Contributed by Mystery Man) MM writes: "One thing I remember about the Texas Watermelon Band was the show they put on when they were six members. Danny Cowan joined Davis Dobbs and they played a lot of Allman Brothers with harmony leads. They had a conga player named Mike Muniz too."

KENNY WAYNE - (Contributed by J.Hart) JH writes: "A Legendary Texas International Critically Acclaimed Recording Artist /Rockin' Blues Singer/Musician/Songwriter/Super Showman & Entertainer who is "Un" fortunately little known (especially since 1993). He could most certainly use your help in getting out the real honest to God truth. THE ORIGINAL & REAL KENNY WAYNE" A True Texas Rockin' Bluescian! After looking at more of the great pictures on your most excellent web site and seeing that you also use 60's and 70's pixs of Texas Rock Bands and album covers as well as Blues, I thought that you might enjoy peepin' these old
photos of "The Original & Real Kenny Wayne" too. (ML writes: "These photos can be seen in the gallery") Especially the ones with K.W. and Dave Davies (Co-founding member/lead guitarist/vocalist of "The Kinks"), "Kenny Wayne & The Kamotions" with "The Legendary" Norman Petty (Buddy Holly's Mgr./Producer/Co-Songwriter) at his "Legendary Norman Petty Recording Studio" in Clovis, NM. when "K.W. & The K's" recorded there in 1974. There's also a pix of Country artist Joe Stampley (formerly of the popular 60's/70's recording group "Joe Stampley & The Uniques") with Kenny Wayne sittin' in with him and singin' together on stage at "The World's Biggest Honky Tonk - Billy Bob's Texas" and an album cover pix from 1971 of the $500.00 (mint) collectable item vinyl L.P. on Candy Records (Not the Italian Bootleg which looks the same but on the bootleg's record label it reads Acid Sound) and a 1970's promotional pix of "KENNY WAYNE & THE KAMOTIONS" that shows a 15 1/2 year old "Chuck" Roscoe Beck (who's now a world renowned Bass Guitarist that Fender Guitars has made and named "The Roscoe Beck Signature 5 String Bass Guitar Series" in his honor!) and who's also the Bass player/co-producer/co-songwriter) in "The Eric Johnson Band" and "Robben Ford & Blue Line." If you want to add any (or all) of these very rare (many never before seen) classic photos to your "Ultra Extra Kool Mike's Texas Bands Web Site" for the whole wide world to see, then please feel free to do so. I think that you and your readers will enjoy them as much as we do.Kindest Regards, J. Hart, Fan Club President Of 'THE ORIGINAL & REAL KENNY WAYNE'" (Contributed by Kenny Wayne) KW writes: "I want to personally thank you on the great work that you've already done. By helping keep my name alive and by spreading the real factual truth with all of those many pictures that J. Hart has sent you; Hopefully they'll be seen by those that have never heard of me while surfing onto your fantastic web site. You are making me finally look like that I was and still am somebody! By all means please keep up the great work, looks great!!!" (Be sure to visit some of Kenny's websites at: http://hometown.aol.com/kwayne01/myhomepage/profile.html and http://hometown.aol.com/kwayne01/index.html ).

WEST WIND - (Contributed by Doug Ryniker) DR writes: "I worked with John Ramirez and George Gallegos in West Wind."

WEASEL - (Contributed by Thad Bonduris) TB writes: "The SA band I'm writing to you about was named WEASEL. It was: Me--guitar & vox, Bill Goodman--drums (he's always had Goodman Sign Art in SA), Buddy Dyches-lead vox (he's now an attorney somewhere near Pleasanton), And here's the "FAMOUS" ones: Danny Cowan--guitar, (formerly w/ Augie Meyers),Randy Toman--bass & Vox (The Toman Bros.) The band was short lived (ca'71--'72), as Randy got drafted & the band broke up after we tried Dubby Hankins for a short while on bass. Didn't work---and it sure wasn't his bass playing or vocal ability! ...Chris Geppert even showed up to a gig , we just broke up instead. Russell (Randy's brother, as you know) was so young that Danny & I were his early "guitar Heroes". The gigs were the usual fare at the time: military bases, a few private parties, Sunken Gardens, scuzzy bars like the Grizzly Bear, and even opening up for The Supremes (sans D.Ross) at a military base in Del Rio, on a flatbed trailer in an airplane hangar--and it was a coat & tie event! The Palm Courts in Del Rio knew us well by then, and I think a couple of us brought organic "souvenirs" back home (watch who's glass you drink out of, eh?). Anyway, that's pretty much the story of Weasel."

WHISKY JACK - ( Contributed by Phil Moran a.k.a. OKIE D ) David Spurgeon - gtr,voc / Joey Peacock - drums / Vance Ried - Bass / Mark Donahugh - Keys / Phil Moran - voc / (also: Roger Santos - fender Rhodes). (Contributed by Ron Frei) RF writes: "I was lead Guitar for several Bands from about 1970 to 1975. I saw mention of Whiskey Jack. I do not recognize the names you have listed, but started the band in 1972 with Manny Galindo (drums & guitar), Doug Brackenridge (rhythm guitar, vocals & drums) and Curt Fenton (Bass and vocals). Many and Doug would switch for a couple of songs during the night. I played lead (oh how I loved Les Pauls and Marshalls). We played a lot at the Teen Canteen and other places around SA. Sam Kinsey liked booking us at Lackland AFB here. It was usually a bunch of soldiers, and maybe one chick, who danced with everybody. By nights end everybody was plastered and hooting and hollaring. Made the band feel like we were playing in the Hemisphere Arena! Manny lives in Norman,OK, works for the government. Doug was killed in a Harley accident this year. Curt has vanished."

WHISKY TRAIN - (Contributed by Skip Mascorro) SM writes: "Whiskey Train lived in an old home that was subdivided into apartments on Huisache Street near San Antonio College. Late night jam sessions were common, both neighbors and police pretty tolerant. Chuck Fletcher and Butch Denning were regulars. Pat Dunn, Pat Arnold (Union Jack) and Bert Frick were frequents. Our land lord, "Red", well into his 70's was an old Chicago blues musician and occasionally would drop in to pick and to see if anyone had a "matchbox". The Electric Machine was where we would hang out, the guys there for some reason liked us, buying our equipment on time..it was a great home for baby musicians such as ourselves and where you felt you were in the loop."

WILBURN BROTHERS - (Contributed by Ray Wilburn) RW writes: "I started playing with my brother Herman in 1974 to form the Wilburn Brothers. From 92 to 94 I was with my brother Herman in the Wilburn Brothers (he's still playing around town under that moniker with his original bass player since 1980). 1994 to 1997 I was in North Carolina and played with the Outlaws bass player Harvey Arnold and Chaple Hill guitarist Jason Barker in a blues rock trio called "Blue Coyote". In 1997 to 2001, I'm back in Texas and jobbing out with Wayne Harper, Mayer/Anderson, Robert Demel ,Wilburn Brothers, Toman Brothers and Chris Story."

VAN WILKS - ML writes: Van is pretty much a fixture around the Texas area. Based primarily out of Austin where he has won numerous awards as best guitarist. I have seen him play the SA area with various bands going back to the early 70's at the TEEN CANTEEN. Van is very much a product of the Billy Gibbons mold of guitarist. In the mid 80's he got signed under Bill Ham (ZZ TOP manager) and released an LP called "Bombay Tears". I once had the chance to play the warm up slot for Van with my band RENEGADE at a club in SA. His personality is very intense and he is neither friendly nor rude, just very focused and serious about his playing. His playing is powerful and flushes true Texas grit as he leads his trio through the paces. He is by far one of the best of the best players in this area. His 5ft tall equipment effect rack is called the "Vanomatic", is quite secretive, and modern science still does not know what is in it. A modern mystery. Keep playing those chops Van! (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: "Van Wilks played here at the Longbranch (OKC). I thought they were alright but at the same time i thought he just tried too much to sound like Gibbons...and also, i was on the way out of digging that style...i mean Billy did it and that should be enough was my thinking at the time. Also, i had been playing ZZ Top for so many years..i was getting a little burned on it. (I still love 'em though.) (Contributed by Pete Williams) PW writes: "In mid-1974, I left my New Braunfels band "Razzle" to move to Austin and get into the happenin' music scene there. In Austin I hung out at the original Mother Earth. My favorite band there was a band called Fools, and the lead guitarist was Van Wilks. During band breaks, I would always go and try to speak with the bands (my goal being to get into the Austin music scene). I would approach him and talk about his music and he was very direct, not friendly, not rude. Fools had a sound sort of like ZZ Top, but with a sophisticated, jazzy edge. Fools was a four piece band. One night I went to see them and they were only 3 piece. I got word that their second-lead-rythm guitarist had quit. I got very excited, thinking this was my break and my chance. I somehow got Van's phone number from the Mother Earth manager, called his house, spoke to a woman. A day later I got a call from Van. "My chick said you called" (silence). We spoke a little about my desire to join them and he mentioned a possible audition but it never happened. Fools remained a 3-piece band. The bass player in Fools was Tommy Shannon, who had formerly played with Johnny Winter and would later play with Stevie Ray Vaughn. Fools had an old beat up purple school bus that they went to gigs in. Somewhere I read that Van Wilks came from Brownwood, Texas,and in the mid-60's,he had a band called Midnight Riders (based on Paul Revere and the Raiders). I saw Van again YEARS later, in Gruene at the Gruene Music Fest in Oct. 1996. I was performing with a little group and Van was coming on after us. He chatted with me in a very friendly relaxed style, not like the Van Wilks of 1974. He got up and played acoustic guitar with an amazing sound (must have been that Vanomatic). One of the songs he played was Bedroom Thang by ZZ Top."

WINTERKAT - (Contributed by Ric Swanson) RS writes: "Around 1982, chomping at the bit to get back into a band, I met up with a young guitarist named John Grell. John was (is) a monster player, schooled by Galen Niles from a young age. To tell you the truth....I don't remember HOW I met John, but he had a cover band called 'Liquid Sky' (this band, before I joined, appeared on the 99.5 KISS Homegrown LP with their heavy metal singer Steve Cooper). We played a few shows as Liquid Sky, but quickly embarked on our carefully planned trip to 'do' an all original band. We started 'Winterkat'. The lineup was me as stand up singer, John Grell on guitar, Chris Watkins on bass, Tim Saunders on drums, Jamie Vallejo on keys. We recorded an album with Marius Perron at UAR Studios. This album received a LOT of local airplay. I'll never forget the first time I heard myself on the radio. It was surreal. The alarm clock radio went off one morning, I rolled over, bleary eyed just in time to hear the KISS dj announce this 'hot new SA band' and ...bam..they played a 'Winterkat' song, right at drive time. I was blown away. The album remained in 'A' rotation (something not easily accomplished by a local band before then) for quite a while. We played numerous shows and were courted by several labels. But....we were young and stupid and eventually the band imploded from Ego. John and I tried to regroup with other musicians, but I got bored with stand up singing and the grueling rehearsal schedule that John insisted upon. I left. John eventually put together a working version of 'Winterkat' that included most of the old 'Heyoka'. They put out a second LP (some of the songs I co-wrote) and moved to LA. The band went on to have some success in Europe though I don't think they ever toured there. John did have some success in LA as a hired gun for the Robin McAuley (sp?) band. The last I heard from John...he had a band called 'Dirty Water' with (Riot singer) Rhett Forester on vocals. I heard their demo. It was awesome. They were about to get signed. Rhett was tragically killed and I haven't heard from John since. Those two 'Winterkat' albums are now collectors items among 80's guitar metal head fans. I was floored to recently find them selling for $45 a piece on the internet!!"

WET WILLIE - ML writes: My band OVERLOAD once had the chance to play the warm up slot for this national act at the Civic Center in Corpus Christi, Texas in 75'. Our band was in top form musically and we were feeling confident. During the sound check when Wet Willie started playing, it became apparent that this would be their show. The sight and presence of such inspiring talent from these boys from Atlanta was a beauty to behold. They looked and played the part of seasoned pros and as with most true talent, were basically down home, humble, normal, nice guys. Back stage, the boy's did an hour long jam and rehearsal behind the closed dressing room door as we would stand to listen from the hallway. They had catered food, drink and all the perks except a distinct lack of female company. I found this unusual for a national act. I think I did see a wife or two milling around however. Just a bunch of home loving talented r&b masters on the road. We played our set and felt proud in that we gave it our best. We then contented ourselves with sitting down in the audience to enjoy these masters at work. A fine show and a great day was had by all in our band.

WICKED - (Contributed by Sandy Trinidad) ST writes: "Hoping you can help. Trying to locate members from an old rock band called "Wicked" from San Antonio, Tx. back in 1986. They performed at the Villa Fontana in March '86. They used to practice off of Frio City Road in a garage. Guitarist Frank Flores played for this band?"

WICKED STEP - (Contributed by Stan Singleton) Stan writes: "I played a few times with these guys back in the seventies when I played drums for "Boneyard". They were a good band, and even better people. They were Old-School Hard Rock, which I love then as well as now. They played a good tight set, and really put their hearts into it. They had a female drummer way before it was stylish. I remember she had this really cool red Ludwig set. She was a good player, for a man or woman. She came up to me and complimented me on my playing one night, and we became friends. I really appreciated her comment because she was a damn good player, and a nice person. Watching , and meeting the people in "Wicked Step" was one of the many fond memories I have of my early playing days. I got into the Martial Arts back in the 80's, and have owned Southwest Karate Institute in San Antonio since 1989. If anyone wants to contact me, they can get to my website at www.southwestkarate.com." (Contributed by Peter Gutierrez) PG writes: "My big brother is Jerry Gutierrez. He was the bass player for Wicked Step. He and his then girlfriend drummer Cathy (or Kathy?) Murguia (really not sure how her last name was spelled) formed the rhythm section with a guy named Fernando on lead guitar. Other members came and went with singers named Spanky and Mike and an on-and-off rhythm guitar player named Robert. They used to practice out in our garage in the late 70's. I've since moved away from SA and am living in Europe, but I know my brother Jerry is still playing. I don't know the name of his current band." (Contributed by Jerry Gutierrez) JG writes: "I was one of the original members of Wicked Step (along with Cathy Murguia aka Cat Musslewhite) most recently of Innocent Bystander in the 80's). My brother ,who lives in Belgium e-mailed me about your site. He was excited to see his older brothers band from the 70's mentioned amongst your band trivia. Just wanted to thank you for including us on your site. The band was started by myself and Cathy (my girlfriend at the time) around 1974. Other original members were, Fernando Hernandez (guitar), Mike Better (vocals), myself on bass and Cat on drums. Some later members included, Robert Ponce (guitar), Ray Mcumba (guitar), Marty Ramirez (vocals) from time to time. I see Fernando and Cat around. Fernando has had some success with christian heavy metal music overseas and still does studio work for friends in the area. Cathys last project was Innocent Bystander, to my knowledge.my most recent project after having played for 5 years in a progressive country band called The Bounty Hunters and touring central Texas, was in a group called The Bandana Blues band which consisted of myself on bass, Danny Cowan on guitar, Robbie G. on vocals and harmonica, and John Matthews on drums, around 1998. Your site brought back good memories of gigs we had done with friends like Gene Coleman and the guys in Force and Heyoka."

WICKED WAYZ - (Contributed by Albert) Albert writes: "I think they were from Dallas. They kicked ass opening for bands in SA and in Austin. They had a song 'Is it true' on local Zrock mid 90's. I picked up a cd called 'Method to Madness' but was not same band. Nobody knows 'bout them."

BETH WILLIAMS - (Contributed by Mike Workman) MW writes: "Jan87-May87: I played on the road with Beth Williams, mostly in New Mexico. Band was with Bobby Hargarther on guitar, Val Mora on bass, Phil Dalmolin on drums. We were pushing an album she recorded in Nashville."

WISHBONE ASH - ML writes: I was in a band called HOT CHEXX and we were doing a large outdoor party called the Hoganfest just north of SA. I was standing around waiting for the other band to finish up when our sound man, John Hogan, and this other guy walks over to me. This guy looked normal enough and seemed like a nice enough guy. John says "I want you to meet Ted Turner, he used to be in Wishbone Ash". Indeed! I knew who he was! I said it was nice to meet you and that every band in town has played at least one song from the band at one time or other. I told him that I knew he was the one that wrote all the songs and that I thought he was a great songwriter. This put him at ease. John started laughing and said that I was the first guy all day who did not talk to Ted as though he were dead. I guess it must be hard to be famous and then not be. Ted said that he was working at Alamo Music in SA but was working on getting something going soon. He had plans to move out to California or maybe even go back to England. He said that he and his former guitarist Andy Powell did not talk much anymore and that Andy was still back in England trying to get something going. John and Ted bid farewell and unfortunately, I did not have a chance to talk to him again before he left the party.

WOMBLIES - ML writes: "Here is a band that we used to hear about all the time when I was on the road with Overload. While traveling through New Mexico, Kansas, & Colorado all we heard about was these guys. I got sick of hearing about them. I never did get to hear them but at a later time Gene Coleman told me he finally ran into them and they were as great as we had heard. I guess they were sort of the midwest's version of Too Smooth in Texas. I was never quite sure where they were from. Maybe west Texas or New Mexico. (Contributed by Mark from DarkHeart band -EL Paso) Mark writes: "You may be referring to Womblies from Albuquerque ( I think). Richard Castillo (who has passed away) used to have a little wind up monkey cracking cymbals together mounted on his kit somewhere.

THE WORKS - (Contributed by Debra Fiedler) DF writes: "Had two female singers, named Kathy. I saw them warm up for Pat Travers at La Semana."

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YA!YA - Dallas Band - See Photo HERE . ML writes: "Here is a little band that plays around the Metroplex at various pubs such as The Top Shelf where I recently caught their act. Seems like a tight knit group of friends who truly seem to enjoy playing and have a great time onstage. The band consist of two female and two male players. Up front is Karlisa Burleson on main vocal and keys, on Bass and vocal is Missi Myatt, on drums and vocal is a local vet named Mike Strelczyk (MickyT), and on blazing guitar is a guy named Dennis Cherry who I understand is from the Chicago area. Although they strike me as a young outfit, they sure do seem enthusiastic and plan on being around awhile. Party on guys and gals. (Contributed by Karlisa Burleson) KB adds: " ...... the guitarist who played w/us @ Top Shelf is Bryan LaComb. Dennis is no longer w/the band. Also, Bryan will be leaving us May 19th and we're getting a new guy named Justin Salmons. ML adds: " I see from a quick Google check that Bryan LaComb appears to be a local go-to kind of guy who has done several fill in spots for many bands in the DFW area as guitarist. Cool! It also appears the future guitarist Justin Salmon is known as a guitar teacher out of Lewisville. Go get em guys" (Addition by Karlisa Burleson) Karlisa writes: "Here are some new pics (in the Gallery). Melissa Collins is our newest member- she sings, plays keys and guitar. Justin Salmons is the new lead guitarist. And, MickyT, Missi and me (Karlisa) are still from the original ya!ya. (Added by Karlissa Burleson) KB writes: "Just to let you know ya!ya is back to being a 4-piece band. We have a new bass player. Her name is Kat Drake- here is some info about her. Kat Drake (bass, guitar, percussion, harmonica & backing vocals), Kat the newest member of ya!ya, is an award winning guitarist who also plays bass, keys and percussion. She has been playing professionally since the age of 16. Kat recently moved from Houston and has played many of the clubs in and around that area for years. Her influences include The Beatles, Dickey Betts, Jack Bruce, and many more. She has played numerous Women's Festivals and has opened for Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Grass Roots and shared the stage with Janis Joplin's guitarist, Sam Andrews. As a resident studio musician, Kat is well-versed in all styles of music including country, Cajun, blues, jazz, rock, Klezmer, dance and experimental. She also plays a mean harmonica. With all the variety of musical skills Kat has to offer, ya!ya looks forward to many exciting things happening." Check out the website at: http://www.yayaband.com/yaya/index.htm

TERRY YARBOROUGH AND THE COUNTRY SQUIRES - (Contributed by Larry Patton) LP writes: "Terry gave me my first bass guitar gig after I got out of the army in 1969. I played a while with Terry just before I went to work with Johnny Bush around 1970. The band was myself (Bass), Mickey Rowe (Drums), Bert Mund (Lead Guitar), Glenn Hardin and later Don Beirstedt (Steel Guitar), Randy Reinhard (Piano). We traveled in an old 1951 Cadillac limo we called "asthma" Terry had gotten it from George Chambers when George got his bus. Terry also played bass for Darrell McCall for a long time after The Country Gentlemen broke up. Terry was killed a few years ago in a train wreck in south Texas. He had been an engineer with the railroad for many years."

YESTERDAY AND TODAY - ML writes: My band OVERLOAD had been doing a gig at a local club in 76'. The place was wall to wall. Downtown that evening Y&T was playing the auditorium as they were a hot national rock act at the time. After the concert the boys showed up at our gig for some R&R. During a chat with them during our break, the subject came up for them doing a surprise sit in for a couple songs. The crowd caught wind of the rumor and started pounding tables and chanting. In the end, the boys declined leaving us to try returning to the stage facing a crowd that wanted to hear them. Worse things have happened I guess. Anyway, a nice bunch of rockers. Thanks for stopping by.

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ZAPATA - Another long time band from San Antonio's west side. Great band.

ZENITH - BAND MEMBERS: Steve Camp - guitar,voc / Chris Klempke - bass / Tommy Stephens - drums,voc. ML writes: This was a tight trio of rockers who appeared as a welcome addition to the local scene in a short period in 76' when there was a shortage of rock bands in the area. The Austin cosmic cowboy trend had dried up good rock bands in the area and attending a gig from these guys was a treat. They were tight and played covers from Queen and Aerosmith and was just what the doctor ordered. In the coming months, power groups like OVERLOAD, TOO SMOOTH, & HEYOKA started appearing and made competing tough as the cosmic cowboy thing faded. In the months before forming Overload I spent as much time as I could watching these guys. Steve Camp was a classmate of mine at LEE HS and fellow competitor guitarist (as was David Hill & Ron Rose). Steve played a mean guitar. I hear the band suffered some personal setbacks among members and eventually disbanded.

ZILCHES - See Photo HERE ( Contributed by Rob Meurer ) Jay Hoyer - voc / Rob Meurer - drums / Bob Galindo - guitar / Rick "Crow" Mendez - guitar / Mike Long - bass / Ricky Hernandez - keys / Phil Arroyo - guitar,voc. Rob writes: "Bob Galindo was the other guitarist in the group. When Bob joined, Phil stopped playing guitar and became a second front man with Jay. Bob and Crow were an awesome lead guitar duo. Soon Phil left the group and this era was considered the group's best, with Jay, Crow, Bob, Mike, and I (no offense to Phil!). Bob is now an architect in Austin and still plays. When Phil left the group, we changed the name to VIRGIL FOXX. God we were young! 15, 16. Ricky Hernandez played with us for awhile at the start of The Zilches, which featured the four Virgils plus Phil Arroyo. Ricky is Phil's cousin. Ricky is still a good buddy of mine, and, in fact, he just moved to L.A.a few days ago." ( Contributed by Kurt Otto ) Kurt writes: "The Zilches kicked ass. Jay Hoyer, Phil Arroyo, Bobby Galindo -gtr, Rick "Crow" Mendez-gtr, Rob Meurer-drms. I forget who played bass... Mike Long? Later on, they became Virgil Foxx. I saw them at Antonian gym too many times to keep count. They used to play "Sky Pilot" by the Animals. They were really cool! Bobby Galindo is the brother of Danny Galindo, 13th Floor Elevators bass player, and after the Zilches, he had that Austin band, Storm. Long, long time ago...'69 or '70." ( Contributed by Bob Galindo ) Bob writes: "YES I was a Zilch, I was there for the golden age, where we played such famous gigs as the grand opening of Der Weinerschnitzel on Fredericksburg Rd., the battle of the bands in the parking lot of Ursuline Academy (we won), many appearances at the Teen Canteen, some "crummy converted cafeteria" on the south side (Teen Scene?), a gazillion dances at Antonian High and Central High, VFW halls in south Texas, etc. I could write pages of folklore about us, and I will. Myself (guitar), Rick "The Crow" Mendez (guitar), Phil Arroyo (guitar and vocals), Jay Hoyer (vocals), Rob Meurer (drums), Ricky "Kike" Hernandez (keyboard). We changed our name to the Virgil Foxx Group: One day I was perusing the New Yorker, looking at the entertainment listings. In the fine print some guy, a classical organist, was giving a performance in a church. His name was Virgil Fox. I was so ignorant I did not know that he was the guru of classical organ. I thought, "man that's a cool name!". So I lifted it and changed the spelling so I could sleep at night. The guys loved it and we transformed ourselves from pimply faced north side pussies into pimply faced north side artists! Our egos soared afterwards, nothing could stop us. We must have been the most arrogant band in town. We had one hell of an entourage - David King, Al Catacolas (sp), David "bear" Vallejo, Alfred "baby Alfred" ? (darn I forgot his last name),countless others." (Contributed by Laurent Perron) Laurent writes: "Do you remember the TV show on Saturday morning where local bands could play a song, I think they taped them at either KSAT or KMOL called ???????? It'll come to me. We played when we were in The Lemon Rhindstone. I know the Zilches did it as did many other local bands. The show was coordinated or produced by Mel Adcock who's daughter was Sherry Adcock. I've always thought it would be such a hoot to get a copy of those old recordings. Can you imagine seeing Jay Hoyer, Rob Meurer, Bob Galindo, Phil Arroyo in all their pimple faced glory doing Manic Depression? I don't know what ever happened to Sherry Adcock. She was around 25 at the time." (Contributed by Ann In Dallas) RockinAnnie writes: "Great show! (Don Couser's SWINGTIME was the name of the Saturday morning TV show). Couser seemed like a great guy with a kid's heart." ML writes: I recently asked Phil Arroyo if he could fill me in on some of the early details of this band. The following link takes you to a in-depth page written and contributed by Phil Arroyo. Phil was one of the original members of this legendary local band and was nice enough to send the following page. Click HERE to read. (Contributed by Rob Meurer) RM writes: "When I was 14 and a freshman at Antonian ('64-'65), there was a pep rally in the auditorium one day. A few guys played some tunes, and there was a set of drums set up. Now, I only had a snare drum at the time, but I'd been practicing playing kit at home by putting on Beatles records and kneeling on my bed with my sticks and hitting where I imagined the drums would be. I really wanted to play this guy's kit, so when the event was over I asked him and he said OK. I sat down and played who knows what, and it felt great to me, natural as anything. As soon as I'd finished playing, this really brash kid -- who I didn't know at all because I was sort of a brainiac kid and he, well, wasn't -- came up to me, spouting all sorts of arrogant B.S. and telling me I was great and that he needed a drummer for his new band. Half amazed and half amused, I said "Sure! I'm in." And to seal the deal, he handed me a ballpoint pen and put out his palm -- and I signed my name on Jay Hoyer's hand. I was now in The Zilches. And I played with these same guys for over five years."

DAVID ZYCHECK - (Contributed by Robert Brown) RB writes: "Thought of another local you may have heard of, David Zycheck. Beau Hill, big time producer, was in this band. Zycheck is another phenomenal guitar player who also sings lead vocals. This album is a 'studio' LP that really does not let him rip. I saw him lots of times around the late 70's, early 80's with his side band 'The Groove Kings' - same energy as TS just different music. I have actually traded emails with him in the last 3 weeks or so and have obtained a copy of the Airborne CD and his latest solo project done down in Waco, if you are interested. See the link at at: http://www.geocities.com/struttermag/NEWREVIEWS89.htm "

ZZ TOP - ML writes: ZZ Top was just a semi local act when I first moved to Texas. It wasn't until the early 70's when they broke nationally. After they hit big time, I once had the chance to listen in on a phone call with Billy Gibbons. I was on tour in Houston with my band OVERLOAD when our guitar player, Rob Vaughn, claimed he knew Billy personally. Naturally, we thought Rob was full of it so we called his bluff. While my girlfriend and I picked up extension phones, Rob pulled out his private number for Billy and made the call. Sure enough, Billy was home and picked up the phone and even recognized Rob when he told him who it was. Billy sounded like he would rather not be bothered as he did not know Rob very well. Still, he was polite and told Rob (and us) about the plans for ZZ's upcoming European tour and about progress on the next LP. Rob and Billy talked for about 5 to 10 minutes and said farewells. I never looked at Rob the same again after this. (Contributed by Laurent Perron) Laurent writes: "I have a reel to reel recording I and Marius made of The Moving Sidewalks (Billy Gibbons). We did it at the Canteen on a rainy night like in about 1969. Billy came over and said, "Cool". (Contributed by CJ Wilson) CJ writes: "ZZ Top i've seen several times...the show they did in Tulsa was excellent. I also saw them before that in Tulsa opening for Humble Pie!!! No one knew much about them at the time ...Gibbons was 'hatless'."

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