Among luminary Austin musicians who will record with Larry at the La-Z-L are Fromholtz and Rusty Wier, who records with Sonobeat in 19 as a member of supergroup Lavender Hill Express.Ĭontraband kicks around for at least two years, winning in the pop-rock category at The University of Texas Intercollegiate Music Festival held in March 1971 and performing at The University of Texas "East Mall Ball" a month later, sharing the stage with Genesee, Phoenix, Rusty Wier, Shiva's Headband, all Sonobeat recording artists, and other top regional Texas acts.Ĭontraband is managed by Austin radio station KNOW's drive time deejay and program director Mike Lucas (a friendly rival to Sonobeat co-founder and Contraband session engineer Rim Kelley, who until the end of 1967 deejay's on KAZZ-FM opposite Lucas Lucas also manages Lavender Hill Express). Frieda will record again with Sonobeat in 19 as part of the Austin Blues-Rockers.Ĭontraband goes through several rapid personnel changes, and at various times includes bassist Steve Hansen (at 6'2" and 120 pounds affectionately known as "Fat Steve") and bassist Larry Nye (better known for his lead guitar with Steven Fromholtz's band and who now owns the La-Z-L Recording Studio on Lake LBJ in Kingsland, Texas, a bit over an hour's drive from Austin). At the time Contraband records with Sonobeat, the band features Frieda, Austin native George Rarey (guitars and bass, who later will join Sirius, formed by founding members of seminal Texas psych band Bubble Puppy), Ralph Gebert (guitars), Steve McDaniels (drums), and Kim Snider (keyboards). Contraband's Sonobeat sessions, which we believe to be held in early September 1970 (the Sonobeat archives aren't clear on the actual recording dates, but Sonobeat co-founder Rim Kelley, who produces and engineers the Contraband session, leaves to attend law school in Houston in mid-September, helping establish the latest time frame in which the sessions are held), yield demos for Try (Just a Little Bit Harder), a spunky cover of Janis Joplin's signature rocker, with a solid lead vocal by Frieda Borth (from Pittsburg, Texas, who at the time Contraband records with Sonobeat is a University of Texas student) backed with dynamite harmony vocals by the whole band, and a cover of British band Free's mini-opus I'll Be Creepin', a cool rocker with an equally cool double-tracked vocal by Frieda. The idea behind the prize is that the Aqua Festival Battle of the Bands winner could become the next act appearing on the Sonobeat label. As one of the top prizes, Contraband is awarded a recording session with Austin's Sonobeat Records, which already has released 19 stereo 45 RPM singles. This has furthered Contraband’s evolution to its present standing as an acknowledged and respected Bluegrass, Americana and roots music band.Ĭontraband play regularly at venues in the South of England and have toured in the Midlands and West Country guesting at the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Orwell Bluegrass Festival, The Chelsea Festival, A1 Music Festival and the Gower Bluegrass Festival.It's August 1970, and blues-rock group Contraband (which starts its life in 1969 as The Contraband) wins the Austin Aqua Festival Battle of the Bands, competing in a field of ten top regional Texas groups. Past band members brought their talents and contributions to Contraband’s table. Inevitably the band’s line up has changed and evolved over time with members joining and some moving on. This process has produced an eclectic and extensive back catalogue of upbeat songs, ballads and instrumentals. Performing in local folk clubs and music venues and with the addition of a bass player Contraband became an established act.Ĭontraband’s repertoire developed over the years with members contributing original material and songs and instrumentals from artists influencing them.
Originally a three-piece band – banjo and two guitars – playing a straight Bluegrass repertoire. A fantastic blend of contemporary and traditional songs and tunes from the Appalachian Mountains via the bluegrass state of Kentucky to the UK, featuring 5 string banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar, with two and three part harmony vocals.Ĭontraband formed in Southampton in the early eighties.
0 kommentar(er)
