Old 97s – “I’m a Trainwreck”
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After nearly two decades and nine full-length albums under their belts, Old 97s are still at it. Bassist Murry Hammond and lead singer Rhett Miller met when Hammond recorded the then fifteen-year old Miller’s first demos in Dallas. Now in his 40s Miller seems to be more prolific than ever. He says the key to the band’s success is that they came into it with little or no expectations.
The band has spread out over the years, but the same four members that got together in 1993 are still the ones performing. Miller now lives in New York, Hammond in L.A. and drummer Philip Peoples and guitarist Ken Bethea remain in Dallas. Since they don’t spend a lot of time around each other when they’re not touring, they claim not to rehearse or practice for their infamous live shows.
The band is set to release the second installment of their Grand Theatre series next month (Vol. 1 hit the shelves in October of last year). Volumes 1 and 2 were recorded in Austin at Treefort Studios.
“I’m a Trainwreck” boasts the driving beat that has become a signature of Old 97s (Miller credits drummer Philip Peoples with developing a style that sets the band apart from other alt-country acts). This version of the song was recorded at KUT the afternoon before the band took the stage at La Zona Rosa.
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