News release from the Downtown Bryan Association:
The Downtown Bryan Association is thrilled to announce eleven more confirmed bands for the 2015 Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival (September 26 & 27, Downtown Bryan, Texas). The list includes renowned Texas songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard, electronic dance band Ishi, College Station local rock boys The Docs, indie blues-roots-rock duo The Sideshow Tragedy and more. Tickets to all Texas Reds Festival live music performances are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required for concert admission. Additional artists/bands and performance dates/times will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about these artists, please visit www.TexasRedsFestival.com or follow @TexasRedsFestival on Facebook and Twitter.
When it comes to down ’n’ dirty roots ’n’ roll, nobody in the wide world of Americana music today does it better than Ray Wylie Hubbard. After riding a decade-long career resurgence into the national spotlight with 2012’s acclaimed The Grifter’s Hymnal, the iconoclastic Texas songwriter is back to continue his hot streak with his 16th album, The Ruffian’s Misfortune.
Ishi’s (JT Mudd & Brad Dale) vision was to blend the classic, soulful story-telling and organic instrumentation of traditional folk music, with the infinite sonic possibilities offered through electronic production. With their latest album Digital Wounds, Ishi offers a multi-sensory live show that allows them to engage their audiences in high-energy dance combined with the subtle undertones of inner-exploration to create a concert experience that is unequivocally one-of-a-kind.
Based out of Bryan-College Station, Midnight Express specializes in classic rock from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, along with some current top hits. Big, brassy and sassy, this big band – consisting of 9 professional musicians including a 4-piece horn section – will make you think you’re listening to the original artists. Now in their 14th year, Midnight Express is recognized as one of the great classic rock & roll cover bands of Texas!
A culmination of talented individuals with a vision of creating a self-identifiable rock sound, The Docs are local College Station boys that have emerged in grandiose fashion since their inception in 2010. The story goes, four young heroes happened upon the humble church of Southern Rock. They held council with Pastor Jack White and Preacher Robert Plant, and thenceforth spread the gospel of rock ‘n’ roll as “The Docs” (as a nod to Mister Holliday), sermonizing with their own rowdy brand of experimental, yet undeniably classic, rock ‘n’ roll.
Fresh off his first South By Southwest appearance, and 8th consecutive performance at Levitation (Austin Psych Festival) Chris Catalena is glad to be back in Bryan. Born and raised in the Brazos County, this singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has tirelessly backed a variety of groups varying from country music, to pop, to psychedelic rock, and even folk groups. With his band, Chris Catalena offers up his own brand of Texas music.
Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Sideshow Tragedy is an indie blues-roots-rock duo consisting of frontman Nathan Singleton and drummer Jeremy Harrell. Austin Live Weekly put it this way: “Only having two members in the band, it’s hard to believe how much noise comes forth from the duo, Sideshow Tragedy. Singleton has the stage presence of Iggy Pop and Keith Richards combined, and he wields his steel guitar like a warlock, playing overdriven riffs with a feral intensity.”
Texas singer-songwriter Austin Meade brings grit and honesty to his craft. The former drummer started writing his own music while finishing his degree at Texas A&M. The last two years have led Austin on a journey, forging together a band and hitting the highways. You can find Austin’s music somewhere between his Americana and Blues influences.
Austin English comes from a musical family and was raised on bands like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles. He learned to play guitar at 13 and started a band at 16; playing clubs and festivals while still in high school. However, it wasn’t until he moved to College Station that his goal of becoming a full time musician came to be. He has recorded two albums, continues to tour Texas heavily and has recently released a new radio single, “Crazy.”
Central Texas-based alternative rock band Lonely Hunter is hitting the road again with their brand new EP, When Winter Comes. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Collin Brewer, guitarist Tyler Kern, bassist Jacob Massey, and drummer Austin Laskowski. Having performed in multiple showcases with SXSW and the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lonely Hunter’s live shows captivate audiences with their fresh alternative sound.
A band of musical brothers, T. Sax’s grooving harmonies have created a signature sound of suave R&B, funk, and pop. Covering songs ranging from the classics of Michael Jackson, to the contemporary hits of modern hip-hip/pop stars, their music can be described as electric and innovative. Frontman Taz is no newcomer to the Bryan/College Station music culture as he’s performed shows since he began his college career at A&M in 2008. Other band members include Josh Letton providing fat bass lines, Santi Tani setting the pace on drums, and Edward Louis Matthews wailing away on the sax.
Daniel Gonzales is a singer-songwriter based out of College Station, Texas. Daniel and his group of experienced musicians create an upbeat and energetic show that provides a memorable experience for every type of listener. Since his start in 2012, Daniel has shared the stage with Gungor, Graham Colton, Jay Nash, Matthew Mayfield, Nick Verzosa, Josh Grider, and many other artists. Daniel released his debut EP, The First 20, in 2014 and is currently in the studio working on a full-length album.