Out the Other's ACL Previews: The Flaming Lips, Charlie Sexton, Ben Harper and More
I swear, the last few previews are the hardest to write. It's not that I'm having trouble with them, it's just that I have SO much other stuff to do - shopping, packing, making sure I'm well-rested enough to cope with three days of non-stop awesomeness and the scorching heat that comes along with it. But my flight leaves tomorrow, so I promise I'll have the last few previews up by tomorrow morning when I write my last post here. Remember, you can check out my entire ACL Artist Previews Page at any time.
Ian McLagan and the Bump Band - This Small Faces (and Faces) alum is still going strong in Austin, where he has continued to play with the Bump Band since he moved to town in the mid-'90's. (full preview)
Charlie Sexton - With his stellar music ability and dashing good looks, it's truly amazing that Charlie Sexton has not been a gigantic star for years and years. (full preview)
The New Soul Invaders - This gospel group has neither a myspace or a website, but the Industry, Texas ensemble has been performing for more than twenty years. (full preview)
Buckwheat Zydeco - Stanley Dural, Jr., aka Buckwheat Zydeco, is only one in a line of great Zydeco artists that have come and gone over the years, but he has probably found the most mainstream success. (full preview)
The Flaming Lips - I'm the first to admit that I didn't enjoy the Flaming Lips when I saw them four years ago - I was freaked out, to tell the truth. But this year, I'll be first in line to see Wayne Coyne roll by overhead. (full preview)
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley - As the youngest son of Bob Marley, Damien is taking reggae to a new, urban level and popularizing "DJing," the Jamaican style of rapping. (full preview)
Bojones - Two of the members of Houston's Bojones might be the twin sons of the president of the Messina Group/AEG Live, but they're still holding their own without their father's help. (full preview)
The Anointed Voicez - With over seventy years of combined gospel music experience, the Anointed Voicez are now combining traditional quartet and contemporary gospel music. (full preview)
The Dears - The Dears have gone back to basics with their first release for Arts & Crafts, the rougher, rawer Gang of Losers, though the band's moody brand of orchestral pop still drives their sound. (full preview)
Sterling Lands and the Warrior Gospel Band - This gospel group is the resident musical ensemble of the Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, and their massive lineup creates a powerful sound that pushes gospel into new musical directions. (full preview)
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - For more than ten years, Ben Harper has been combining the wide range of his musical interests - funk, hard rock, folk, jam band, pop, blues, etc. - to create almost a genre of his own. (full preview)
Guy Clark - Although Guy Clark's recordings have never met with much commercial success since he began his career in the early '70s, the singer and country songwriting star still deserves to be called a legend. (full preview)
