Jesse Sublett and The Skunks in 2006 - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
In what is becoming a Christmas tradition, seminal Austin punk/new wave band The Skunk's has announced a 1 night re-union show at one of Austin's infamous punk-meccas of the 70's and 80's, The Continental Club on December 21st..
Combining the avant garde sound of bands like the Talking Heads and Television with roaring guitarwork and a beat you could slam dance too, The Skunks set the bar high for other local Austin bands that few achieved. Rare for Austin's burgeoning punk scene, they could actually play their instruments and for years
was known infamously around town for being Austin's loudest band.
Mainstream success always seemingly right outside their grasp, during their heyday they filled Austin clubs like Raul's, Duke's Royal Coach, and toward the end even Liberty Lunch to capacity. Fronted by bass player and vocalist Jesse Sublett, the quintessential Skunks lineup and the one slated for the re-union show includes Billy Blackmon on drums and Austin Musician of the Year for 2006, Jon Dee Graham, on guitars.
Seeing Jon Dee Graham perform is worth the price of admission itself as his resume includes working with John Doe and Excene Cervenka of X, Ry Cooder, Kacy Crowley, Calvin Russell, Eliza Gilkyson, Kelly Willis, John Hiatt, Michelle Shocked, and Patty Griffin as well as countless others. After his original tenure with The Skunks, Jon went on to form the True Believers with Javier and Alejandro Escovedo.
With an audience guaranteed to be filled with old friends, fans will hope to hear classics like "Earthquake Shake", "Gimme Some", and perhaps even the crowd favorite "Cheap Girl", notably absent from last years set. No word on whether Jesse's ex-band mate Kathy Valentine of the Go Gos will be in the crowd, but certainly other luminaries from Austin's past present and future will be in attendance.