When the original line-up for Austin band Murdocks disbanded around 2005, things were looking pretty bleak. Everything was literally piling up for frontman Franklin Morris. The band had been dropped from its record label, and Morris was faced with unemployment and divorce. But oftentimes, some of your best work can emerge from all the turmoil. Morris wrote the songs that would soon became Murdocks' second album, Distortionist (2010), packed with all combinations of rock, pop, garage rock and punk. This was around the same time that Morris met bassist Kyle Robarge (The Calm Blue Sea, The Couch) who had just moved to Austin from Los Angeles. He was impressed with Murdocks’ raw and dissonant sound, and he introduced Morris to drummer David T. Jones. A connection was made. The trio...
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On this week's edition of Texas Music Matters, veteran music journalist Michael Hall talks about his longtime friend Brent Grulke, the creative director of SXSW who passed away unexpectedly August 13th. Grulke left an enduring mark on music and his adopted hometown of Austin. Also, after 20 years Radney Foster revisits Del Rio, Texas; the real story behind the making of Willie's now-classic Red Headed Stranger album; an introduction to Austin band These Mad Dogs of Glory; a sneak peek at the forthcoming album by Dana Falconberry and much more. ...
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