Get It! Get Hip with Texas Power Soul!
What was it about this band that created a buzz? Was it the dynamic and sweat drenched live shows that appealed to both men and women in the scene? Or was it the energetic rock/soul vibe pumping from the amps? No matter what the reason, your love of music was rekindled by the exciting sights and sounds of The Bloody Tears. The Pharoahs of Nouveau Soul!
Veteran musicians and friends for long enough to keep each other in check, the BT's members on Austin Chronicle Music Awards, played overseas, recorded extensively for independent music labels, and toured throughout the U.S. of A. They combined two guitars, bass, organ, drums, harp and ass-shakin' vocals in just the right way. It was danceable rock with big r&b back beats and harmonies. Think of the classic soul hooks of Arthur Alexander, Betty Wright, and James Carr played with the intensity of the early Attractions or other proto-punk bands. The Bloody Tears brought you the great R & B sounds of the late '60s and early '70s... but by way of a garage party in Austin.
The Bloody Tears' first recording, was a 4-song, self-titled EP recorded at Sweatbox records, released in January of 2003 and sold out. The music zine Carbon 14 included a Bloody Tears cut on a Texas Rock compilation (Issue #23), and the LA-based zine Garage and Beat covered the band in Issue #9 in Fall 2003.
Their first full-length CD "Downhanded" was produced by garage-rock guru Jim Diamond and released in the spring of 2005 by Licorice Tree Records to much critical praise. The record also received regular radio play on independent and college stations across the country, finding an audience outside of Austin.
The band released a four song Internet-only release on Licorice Tree Records in July 2008 at www.licoricetree.com. They followed it up with their first music video for "Greenville Girl" released in fall of 2008. Both received airplay currently on KOOP, KUT and METV in Austin
The Bloody Tears were proud to be at the forefront of moving modern music in a new direction. It's a sound you've been missing for a long time and are bound to miss again. A sound for which you are hungry.
Where Are They Now?
- Solid Gold - Relocated to Detroit to found The Suave Buzzard Pleasure Club, a fellowship society of genuii.
- Billy Steve Korpi - Currently with Victims of Leisure and the Crackpipes. Sporting a new Finnbilly Fro.
- Casino El Camino - Working on a permanently etched body outline on a barstool at the eponymous Austin club.
- Freak Lip Stockton - Succeeding in his plan to take more market share in the Austin restaurant scene.
- Big Jeff Krumar - Made a freakin' baby!
- Kory Cook - Got Freakin' married!!!