Shinyribs

Last updated
Shinyribs
Origin Austin, Texas, United States
Genresswamp funk, Southern soul
Years active2007–present
LabelsMustard Lid Records, Nine Mile Records, Blue Élan Records
MembersKevin Russell
Keith Langford
Mason Hankamer
Daniel "Tiger" Anaya
Mark Wilson
Eric Baker
Marty Muse
Kellee Fuller
Mars Wright
Past membersAlice Spencer
Kelley Mickwee
Winfield Cheek
Jeff Brown
Danny Levin
Jay Stiles
Courtney Santana
Sally Allen
Mike Stewart
Website Shinyribs.org

Shinyribs is a 9-piece swamp funk / Southern soul band from Austin, Texas.

Contents

History

Shinyribs began in 2007 as a solo side project of singer/guitar player Kevin Russell, then of longtime Austin band The Gourds. [1] At first "Shinyribs" referred to Russell personally in connection with his solo shows, but Russell later performed under the name "Shinyribs" in a band with other musicians, such as Gourds bandmate, drummer Keith Langford. "Shinyribs" then transitioned to be the name of the band as well. [2] The name derives from something called out to Russell by a transient woman to whom he had previously given a plate of ribs. [3]

After the Gourds went on hiatus in 2013, Shinyribs became Russell's and Langford's primary vehicle. [4] By 2016, Shinyribs included bass guitar, keyboard, horns (Tijuana TrainWreck Horns), and backing singers (Shiny Soul Sisters). [5]

Shinyribs' sound is a combination of many styles and influences. [6] Russell calls it "country-soul" and "swamp-funk." [7] The ultimate decisions on Shinyribs' musical direction are based on Russell's vision for the band. [8] Live performances generally feature Russell dancing on stage [9] or in a conga line extending through the venue. [10]

"Shinyribs is flamboyant and has completely no rules.... He’s free and is dancing like no one’s watching. He’s all about love and having fun and celebrating life." [2]

In addition to playing its original music, Shinyribs covers songs like "Waterfalls" (TLC), "Pony" (Ginuwine), "Buy U a Drank" (T-Pain), "All About That Bass" (Meghan Trainor), "Golden Years" (David Bowie), "I Gave Up All I Had and Sorry You're Sick" (Ted Hawkins), "Me and Paul" (Willie Nelson), "Hey Pocky A-Way" (The Meters), "The Wind Cries Mary" (Jimi Hendrix), "Heart of Stone" (The Rolling Stones), "No Diggity" (Blackstreet), and "Baby Don't You Do It" (Marvin Gaye/The Band). [11] [12] [13]

Shinyribs' Kevin Russell produced Cold and Bitter Tears: The Songs of Ted Hawkins with Jenni Finlay and Brian T. Atkinson for Austin-based label Eight 30 Records. The album features Shinyribs ("Who Got My Natural Comb"), James McMurtry ("Big Things"), Kasey Chambers (the title track), and Mary Gauthier ("Sorry You're Sick").

Members

Former members

Discography

Shinyribs

Compilations

Television

Shinyribs provided the theme song, "Our Game", for Lone Star Law , a series about game wardens within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which premiered on Animal Planet on June 2, 2016. [14]

Awards

Austin Music Pundits Awards

YearWork/artistAwardResult
2010Well After AwhileAustin Album of the Year7th place

[15]

Lone Star Music Awards

YearWork/artistAwardResult
2014Gulf Coast MuseumAlbum of the YearNominated
Americana/Roots Rock Album of the YearNominated
2014ShinyribsLive Act of the YearNominated
2014George ReiffProducer of the YearNominated

Austin Music Awards

YearWork/artistAwardResult
2015ShinyribsBand of the Year5th place
2015Kevin RussellMusician of the Year4th place
2017ShinyribsFunk/Blues/Soul Band of the Year1st place
2017KevinRussell/ShinyribsMusician of the Year3rd place
2017ShinyribsBest Austin Band2nd place
2017ShinyribsBest Rock Band6th place
2017Keith LangfordBest Drummer5th place
2017Winfield CheekBest Keyboard Player6th place
2017Kevin RussellBest Male Vocalist5th place
2017Kevin RussellBest Miscellaneous Instrumentalist (ukulele)5th place
2017Kevin RussellBest Songwriter5th place

[16] [17] [18] [19]

References

  1. Corcoran, Michael (2013-12-26). "Why Kevin Russell of Shinyribs Turned His Side Project to a Full-Time Job". The Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  2. 1 2 Lopez, Rich (19 March 2014). "Don't blame Shinyribs' Kevin Russell if 'honky twerk' takes off". Midland Reporter Telegram. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  3. Joyce, Matt (January 2015). "Make It Shiny, The joyful mash-up of Austin band Shinyribs". Texas Highways. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  4. Wildsmith, Steve (2016-04-20). "'Musical hedonist' Kevin Russell channels his joy into Shinyribs". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  5. Brand, Aaron (2016-01-28). "Get movin' to the music with Shinyribs". Texarkana Gazette. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  6. Dansby, Andrew (2013-03-13). "Recipe for Gulf Coast-style Shinyribs: Love, death and food inspire Kevin Russell's brand of swamp funk". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  7. Cadgène, Suzanne (2015-06-26). "Album Reviews: Shinyribs, Okra Candy". Elmore Magazine. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  8. Smith, William Michael (2015-03-17). "How Shinyribs Became Texas's Hottest Band". Houston Press. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  9. Corcoran, Michael (2015-04-10). "Shinyribs: Dancing with the Scars". Art+Labor+Austin. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  10. "The rise of Shinyribs – cat5". cat5. 2016-07-25. Archived from the original on 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  11. Freeman, Doug (2015-08-07). "The Sacred & the Profane: Ride along with Shinyribs". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  12. "Shinyribs Live at Albino Skunk Music Festival on 2014-10-03". 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  13. "Golden Years (Old Settler's Pop-Up Session)". KUTX Music 98.9 – Austin. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  14. Isner, Savannah (2016-05-06). "Animal Planet Wraps Up Monster Week on June 2 with the Series Premiere of Lone Star Law and the Series Return of North Woods Law" (PDF) (Press release). Animal Planet. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  15. Corcoran, Michael (2011-01-05). "2010 AMP Awards: 'True Love' for Roky Erickson, other Austin musicians". Austin American-Statesman (Austin360.com). Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  16. "Austin Music Awards: 2015>Best of the Year". Austin Chronicle. n.d. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  17. "Austin Music Awards: 2016–2017>Best of the Year". Austin Chronicle. 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  18. "Austin Music Awards: 2016–2017>Best Performing Bands". Austin Chronicle. 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  19. "Austin Music Awards: 2016–2017>Best Austin Musicians". Austin Chronicle. 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-13.