Top 6 Lubbock Local Rock Bands 1980-2010
I've got a nice little list for you here. First off, its MY "Top 6 Lubbock Local Bands 1980-2010". Music, like comedy is very open to interpretation. I just wanted to name check some bands that I thought deserved a little recognition. You may have enjoyed others, these were some of my favorites, except for one who's presence was pretty much mandatory.
Interestingly enough, at least three people made it on this list twice. As far as everyone else, let's just say there were some very blurry years included in here. While I called this a "rock band" list, there are some blues, new wave and more here. I guess a better name would have been "Top Lubbock Local bands that aren't country because I don't know anything about that 1980-2010, except for a couple of years in the late 80's because I was in Austin and Spokane then and I wish I could include Junior Medlow, but he was more hardcore blues than even Elvis and kind of doesn't fit on this list". Anyways, this is just a conversation starter and a thank you to some bands that did an exceptional job entertaining Lubbock. Also, please correct me if I have any of the players here misidentified.
- 1
Impeccable
There is absolutely, positively, no doubt in my mind about my number one choice. This band was about a half a break away from being huge. They sounded like Zeppelin meets Rush in West Texas. They had a look and unbelievable talent. The band was led by the one-two punch of Darren Welch and Donnie Allison. Darren did a great job of continuing on after Donnie left, but the Impeccable "Live At The Rox" album is a fantastic testament to just how good these guys were together.
- 2
The Nelsons
The Nelsons were a huge thing around here, with packed clubs and developing national profile. They were serious contenders in an MTV contest, and many people said that were it not for phone lines blowing out in this area, they would have one it. On lead vocals, once again, the late Donnie Allison. On guitar was John Sprott, who is also featured on this list twice.
- 3
Blood Red Summer
You have absolutely no idea how close these guys came to making it. They were a hair away from breaking out in the post grunge industrial metal genre. They had the sound, the songs and the look. Everything was glorious, then it just all blew up.
- 4
Eddie Beethoven and the Sons of Fun
Eddie Beethoven has always been too original for his own good. Eddie road the rails with Joe Ely and helped write some of the lyrics for Joe Ely's "Hi-Res" album, which helped Joe break out nationally. Eddie is one of those great West Texas artists that was great, but just didn't fit with whatever else was going on.
- 5
Elvis T. Busboy And The Blues Butchers
Elvis T. Busboy is a star. There is no doubt about. He's playing in a genre that isn't huge and doesn't really have stars, but when you are around Elvis, you are around a presence. You know that big ol' voice is going to holler some of the best R&B you've ever heard in your life. On guitar for the Blues Butchers is John Sprott. I believe that although many of the players on this list are active, this may be the only band that is still, at least occasionally, active today. Elvis is more blues than rock, but rocks hard enough that I just had to include him here.
- 6
Colossus of Rhodes
I lost friends in the music industry over this band. I was convinced that their cover of The Cutting Crews "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" was a hit. Not only that, they had excellent originals as well. The drummer for this band was also in charge of drums and samples for Blood Red Summer (and additional trivia: he designed the RockShow logo).
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