Biography
The Southern Backtones are on the verge of releasing their 4th album "La Vie En Noir" which fuses the best parts of the prior three albums with the Backtones mature voodoo-rock sound into a delightful psychedelic, Spaghetti Western patois.
The album was produced by Dan Workman (Beyonce, ZZ Top, Smashmouth) and Steve Christensen (Steve Earle, Joe Walsh) and was recorded at SugarHill Recording Studios.
The Southern Backtones sound and depth have evolved with the release of each of their albums.
“Los Tormentos de Amor” (1999): Clever surf-punk ditties played with precocious passion, all owing allegiance to a strong “whatever-a-billy” or “Spaghetti Western” influence. Quite the classic, the album has become an underground jewel and sells for upwards of one hundred bucks.
The Formula (2002): A furious denial and overthrow of the pearl button, greaser-roots-rock heritage. Punk-ish songs of superficial lust gone wrong dove-tailed with South-of-the-border, Tex-Mex crooners.
The third album, simply self-titled “Southern Backtones” (2007): A dark cinematic embracement of Brit-pop and psychedelia in a philosophical search for more bohemian influences. Songs “Forever” and “Everything” were featured in the indie feature film “Drop Dead Sexy” starrring Jason Lee and Crispin Glover. Music Video “Forever” (produced by Zenfilm) has had international airplay on MTV2, MuchMusic Canada, CNBC and more.
“Cinematic songs begging for a movie to live up to their promise.” San Francisco Bay Times
“Brooding paeans to loves won, lost, and unrequited infused with smart, poppish melodies. The only way some of this stuff could get any beautifully darker is if it grew black wings and flew away.” Fort Worth Weekly
“Southern Backtones is not Southern rock. It is a sea of expansive, dark rock with the unmistakable, vampy touch of David Bowie and the indigo mood of Echo & the Bunnymen.” Houston Chonicle
“The musicianship and songwriting are top notch… Highly recommended.” Exclaim.ca (Canada)
“The songs are rich-sounding, well-crafted rockers with plenty of rootsy and modern influences. But the lyrics are provocative and thoughtful in surprising ways.” ASCAP.com
“This moody, ethereal retro-tinged modern hard rock act (think U2, Nick Cave, The Cult) from Houston, seems primed for massive underground success.” connectsavannah.com
WINNERS: “Best Traditional Rock” 2006 & 2007 and Nominated “Best Song-writer” 2008. Houston Press
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Members:
Hank Schyma, Todd Sommer
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Sounds Like:
Chris Isaak, Pulp, Echo and the Bunnymen, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Hives
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Influences:
Pulp, Danzig, The Cult, The Cure, Johnny Cash, Elvis
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AirPlay Direct Member Since:
05/02/06
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Profile Last Updated:
08/16/23 02:39:46