I generally hate everything about Texas. It's a completely biased opinion of a state I've never been to, so I know how bullheaded and one-dimensional I sound when I say that, but I do. I really hate Texas. Why? If you're driving through Texas and a little piggy stops you in his cowboy done-up Crown Victoria, you're stuck in Texas until you sort it out. A friend of mine was once strip searched at a gas station because a cop found half of a moldy weed brownie in her van. Cops alone are reason enough for me to stay away. But other reasons? I'm not white. It behooves me to steer clear of any situation where I could potentially be discriminated against because of my ethnicity. Technically, on standardized forms and surveys, I'm considered "White" because "Middle Eastern" isn't an option, but my skin is a little more olivey and my eyes are rounder and darker than most crackers wandering through the "go big or go home" state. So I watch my back. When I have to. Which means, don't go to Texas. 

But Austin, the state's capital and home of the Austin Psyche Fest (arguably the best music festival in the country) and SXSW (a smorgasbord of bands and promoters fronting as a film festival that spans two weeks), is famous for its music scene (think 13th Floor Elevators, Daniel Johnston, Spoon, the Black Angels, Explosions in the Sky). 

The Strange Boys is another gem of a band from the capital of a state that I unabashedly despise for no reason.

The Strange Boys was formed in 2001 by then 8th graders Ryan Sambol and Matt Hammer, and was originally a duo punk band with Sambol on guitar and Hammer on drums. In 2003, Sambol's brother Philip joined the band on bass, and their sound slowly began to evolve into what they would later be famous for. Greg Enlow joined the band in 2004, first on percussion and organ, and then later on guitar. With the four members finally molding into a vibe, the band released their first EP Nothing in  2007 on Dusty Medical Records, an obscure record label based in Milwaukee, WI that also reps Black Lips. The EP only had four tracks on it, but got the attention of Larry Hardy, founder and mastermind behind independent LA record label In The Red Records. Hardy originally wanted the Strange Boys to record their debut album with the late great Jay Reatard. But when the product wasn't to either of their likings, Hardy sent the Strange Boys back to Texas (shudder) to work with record producer Orville Neeley. After two years of working on multiple sessions, the Strange Boys finally released their first full length album, The Strange Boys and Girls Club, (read the review here).

"Heard You Want to Beat Me Up"

For the next year or so, the Strange Boys toured, and finally put their Texas feet on European soil, where they caught the attention of Geoff Travis, founder and head of Rough Trade Records. Travis was so enamored by the Strange Boys that he made a deal with Hardy that would ultimately split their next album release under Rough Trade in Europe and In The Red in the US. But before that happened, the Strange Boys would change their lineup. Matt Hammer, founding member and original drummer, left the band, for reasons I can't find on the Internets. He was replaced by Seth Densham (of the mediocre Mika Miko). Hardy sent the Strange Boys down to Costa Mesa to Mike McHugh's Distillery (RIP). I've met Mike McHugh. He's quite possibly the most insane person I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. The Allah Las, the Growlers, Tomorrow's Tulips, and Nick Waterhouse have all recorded in the Distillery, an analog only recording studio. McHugh is a genius, and I'm sure that's why Hardy sent the boys his way.

For the sessions that would result in their second full length album, The Strange Boys brought on Jenna Thornhill-DeWitt (also from Mika Miko) on saxophone and backing vocals, and Tim Presley (of Darker My Love and the post Strange Boys phenomenon White Fence). The finished product, Be Brave, was released on both UK and US labels in February 2010 (read the review here). Trivia: the title track from the LP was used in a 2012 Dell Commercial.

"Be Brave"

Critics thought Be Brave was less cohesive than Boys and Girls Club, specifically with the absence of Hammer's drumming. After the Be Brave sessions and the completion of the album, drummer Seth Densham left the band and was replaced by Mike La Franchi. Whether this happened as a result of negative criticism or not, the Strange Boys were used to the musical chairs of their lineup, and geared right up for their third album. During this point, Jenna (the only girl) and her saxophone also left the band. 

The Strange Boys final album, recorded in 2011 at the home studio of Spoon's Jim Eno. Titled Live Music (pronounced like give), the album received less success than the previous two, with critics noting that their original "strange" garage rock sound was waning (read the review here). Live Music was released in October of 2011, and would be their last studio album to date. 

The Strange Boys are one of those bands that come around and disappear before you can even really sink your teeth into their juicy meat. It's a shame they don't tour anymore. I'd love to see them play in a warehouse downtown stuffed with underage debauchery. Maybe they will someday. 

The end.