Texan punks Purple release their second album Bodacious on 29th July – it’s a high energy blast of power punk, augmented with hearty helpings of hip hop and ska to mix things up a bit – check out new single ‘Backbone’ for evidence:
The band aren’t shy of celebrating their Texan roots (check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/purpletexasmusic for starters) so we asked drummer/singer Hanah Brewer to give us a flavour of the south with 10 tracks from the lone star state:
- ROCKING CHAIR – GEORGE JONES
I like this song because it shows the strong mentality of the south. George is also from my hometown,Vidor, TX, and I took my prom pix at his house haha.
- I’M FROM THE COUNTRY – TRACY BYRD
I like this song because it reminds me of being a little kid growing up riding four wheelers and this song would always be playing where whoever was grilling food. I also used to wait on Tracy Byrd when I worked at a fancy ass hibachi restaurant in Beaumont, TX.
- QUIT HATIN’ THE SOUTH – UGK
I like this song because UGK is defending the dirty third. Everyone always talks shit on the south and UGK said fuck that. They are also from Port Arthur which is right down the road from me and where Janis Joplin is from. Check out Chad Butler JR. (Pimp C’s son) he’s been making some bad ass new music with one of my favorite producers K-$hellz.
- CADILLAC MUSIC – SLIM THUG FT. DEVIN THE DUDE AND DRE DAY
I like this song because its got that chill h-town vibe and you’re not gonna find that shit anywhere else.
- WELCOME 2 HOUSTON – SLIM THUG
I like this song because it has that strong southern vibe. Makes you wanna be the best and say fuck everyone. It also features a bunch of texas rappers like Paul Wall, Lil Keke, Z-Ro, Mike Jones…etc.
- I CANT LEAVE DRANK ALONE – Z-RO
I like this song because sipping syrup is a Texas tradition. It can be dangerous… not gonna lie. But it feels good.
- GUN MODE – K-$HELLZ FT. CHAD BUTLER JR
I like this song because it once again shows the strength of the south. We don’t fuck around.
- TO LOVE SOMEBODY- JANIS JOPLIN
I love this freakin’ song because it truly shows the pain that is felt in a place where all there is to do is drink and work. and there is so much tension from the racism and homophobia and hypocritical Christianity… that’s not what the song is about. But I always thought you could truly feel the pain of South East Texas in her voice. She is also from Port Arthur. Another drunk depressed girl from Texas like most of us. some call us losers but we feel all of the emotions.
- YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME – 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS
This song shows the psychedelic vibe of Austin,TX. That vibe is still there today even though this song is from the 60s (check out Lochness Mobsters). Also the singer of this band got put into a psych ward for SMOKING WEED. That shows how fucked up Texas is which adds to the very intense blues vibe I think almost all Texas music artists have.
- LA GRANGE – ZZ TOP
It straight up don’t git more Texas than this SON!
Bodacious is released on 29th July by Play It Again Sam. Check out their website purpletexasmusic.com for more information.