Leaving,TX

Artist Information

Biography

"One of the strongest contenders to emerge on the alt.country scene in years"- ONTAP MAGAZINE

Gripping vocals, intelligent lyrics, and songs filled with memorable hooks are what you will find with the LEAVING, TX. This original alt.country outfit delivers a clever blend of cutting edge “twang-rock” mixed with a healthy dose of country.

Songs about life, love, and the bottle. Intelligent lyrics, strong instrumentation, raw whiskey-soaked alt.country. This DC-based quartet has come on strong over the past few months gaining regional and national attention. The band is currently touring behind their 2nd critically acclaimed CD "Anywhere on Good Roads".

The band is driven by songwriter Chris Patterson’s rugged, in your face, vocal style, ripping telecasters and sweet pedal steel all anchored by a tight, driving rhythm section. This powerful group of musicians makes Patterson’s songs really shine.
Formed in late 2004 by songwriter Chris Patterson and bassist Garry Cecil, Leaving, TX has rapidly come to life in the Washington, DC music scene. Patterson is a self-taught musician who after leaving the jam-band Grooved Pavement spent the next 18 months studying and writing. During this time he spent many nights on the local singer-songwriter circuit finding out which songs were working with the audience. After a visit to Austin, TX he came back with the desire to finally build the band that would showcase his music.

Patterson soon contacted bass player Garry Cecil and played several of the new tunes for him. The magic was immediate and the two set out to find the rest of the band. Thor Smith was soon brought in to fill the role of drummer, having done the same in Patterson’s former band. After several auditions with guitarists, Andrew Buhler showed up on the band’s doorstep and after one song together, he was brought into the mix and given his own keys to the city.

Chris Patterson – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars. The bands songwriter is a native of Iowa although he has called sixteen cities home over the past twenty years. Patterson received his first guitar at the age of 8 but claims he didn’t learn to play it until he was 30. He carries with him very strong Irish roots and spends a couple weeks each year in Ireland seeking out music and his ancestry. His songwriting is strongly influenced by Jon Dee Graham, Steve Earle, and Hank Williams. In the past year Patterson has performed abroad in both Ireland and Scotland. Additionally, he has played a showcase during the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, TX and performed as a featured artist at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Garry Cecil - bass and backing vocals. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cecil was raised in the “wee” village of Corstorphine. He was raised on British music but when he arrived in America he soon became schooled by Hendrix, Zappa, and Capt. Beefheart. This eventually led Cecil to the country rock movement and later to bluegrass. It was a trip back to Scotland that had him dive head first into the punk/new wave scene. He has played in numerous bands over the years, “Non- Dairy Creamers”, “Gunpoint Affection”, and “The Swinging Richards”, and most recently the highly regarded “Primitive Mind”, opening for such greats as BB King, Lunasa, Junior Brown, and Doc Watson.

Thor Smith- drums. Smith is a native of Halden, Norway. He started drum lessons in the first grade and played his first professional gig at twelve years old. After a few years in a Hawaiian show band, Smith moved to New York in the early eighties with an original new wave outfit called “Ice Nine”. He then spent almost six years with the DC group “The Smash Band”. Semi-retired from music he was coaxed back into the scene after meeting Chris Patterson and getting hooked on his draft beer at rehearsals and original tunes.

Andrew Buhler - electric and pedal steel guitars. Buhler is a proud native of Miami, Florida. He started fooling around with the guitar after his father bought him an LP of Hendrix’s “Smash Hits” at age 10. From Miami to Japan to Cuba, he’s been tormenting his family and friends with the instrument ever since.

Instrumentation

Chris Patterson- Vocals, Guitars
Garry Cecil- Bass, Backing Vocals
Thor Smith- Drums
Andrew Buhler- Lead Guitar, Pedal Steel

Discography

Late Gettin' Started - 2009
Anywhere on Good Roads - 2007
Live at Paddy's Pub EP - 2006
100 Miles to Sunday - 2006
"Live on Spotlight" DVD - 2006

Currently recording disc #4.

LEAVING, TX CD's have each appeared in the top 15 Euro Americana charts and American Roots charts.

Several live tracks were recently added to http://www.myspace.com/leavingtx

Audio

• In My Dreams
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• Wonderin'
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• STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH
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• BE MY GUIDE
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• WHISKEY
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• Dallas
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Lyrics

• Next of Kin
• Bottle Doesn't Kill Me
• BE MY GUIDE

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Leaving, TX Charts in Europe! [+ Show ]
  

  Feb. 4, 2006 The album "100 Miles to Sunday" (Lucky Range Records) debuted this week on the Euro Am...Feb. 4, 2006
  The album "100 Miles to Sunday" (Lucky Range Records) debuted this week on the Euro Americana Chart in the 8th position strengthening the bands growing popularity overseas. The Euro Americana Chart www.euroamericanachart.nl is compiled monthly by DJ's, Journalists, Promoters, and Retailers all across Europe who are focused on Americana music. Each month these indivudals submit their top six CDs based on airtime, requests, reviews, sales, and quality of the music and from these submissions, the CDs are ranked and only the top 25 are placed on the Chart.

• Excellent Album! [+ Show ]
  

  With their debut album, 100 Miles to Sunday, the boys find their place with the likes of Drive By Tr...With their debut album, 100 Miles to Sunday, the boys find their place with the likes of Drive By Truckers, Reckless Kelly, Brent Best, Steve Earle, Jon Dee Graham, Jack Ingram, and last but not least Hayes Carll who has recently begun to charm Europe. Trouble nor expense was spared to bring in none other than veteran Paul Grupp (Byrds, Boston, Charlie Daniels) who was hired to produce this album and with the addition of fiddle, mandolin, Hammond B-3, banjo and the backing vocals of Vicky Pagen We must mention that it ended with an excellent result… Dreamy ballads alternated with edgy rockers, Telecasters mixed with sublime pedal steel, the gravel voice of Patterson. With Nick Lowe’s Peace, Love, and Understanding the band's (one cover) ties in their European roots. The band does well to convince us as Patterson cries out on My Own Songs, that Leaving, TX is my favorite band. Excellent Album!

• This is a band that deserves to be heard more often... [+ Show ]
  

  In a number of the songs the whisky flows abundantly like BOURBON BREATH KISS and IF THE BOTTLE DOES...In a number of the songs the whisky flows abundantly like BOURBON BREATH KISS and IF THE BOTTLE DOESN'T KILL ME (There’s a woman here who will). Of course the disc is not lacking with the required sentiments of love and sorrow. In MY OWN SONGS you hear the correct complaint about good music not making it on country radio. You can definitely hear some Johnny Cash inspiration on this tune. Patterson has a grizzled voice which is perfectly arranged for this music and with the guitars they ensure that your ears remain continuously stretched. Honestly, it must be said that this has all been done before but that does not remove the fact that this is a band which deserves to be heard more often.

• Need a live act part II? [+ Show ]
  

  "If you travel a few miles south of Alt-Country and turn right at Cow-Punk you’ll find Leaving, TX… ..."If you travel a few miles south of Alt-Country and turn right at Cow-Punk you’ll find Leaving, TX… a gritty, dusty, whiskey-soaked hell-hole somewhere just outside the gates of purgatory. Leaving, TX is one of the strongest contenders to emerge on the alt.country scene in years. The original Alt.Country outfit has rapidly come to life in the Washington, DC music scene… Quickly and rightfully earning comparisons to Drive By Truckers, Steve Earle, and Reckless Kelly just to name a few."

• We Loved It! [+ Show ]
  

  A most welcome surprise that fell into our lap last week was Leaving TX's “100 Miles to Sunday.” Wit...A most welcome surprise that fell into our lap last week was Leaving TX's “100 Miles to Sunday.” Without knowing anything about it, we popped it in the player, and loved it. Just like that.
  
  Lead singer Chris Patterson’s voice has the rough edges that invite comparisons to Brent Best, Patterson Hood, and one of my current favorites, Creosote. Leaving TX’s website cites a strong Jon Dee Graham influence but you don’t need to read it on the web to hear it.
  
  The music is rowdy; the lyrics, rebellious. With titles like “My Own Songs,” “You’re To Blame,” and “Give A Damn,” these guys appear to have a chip on their shoulders. The kind of chip that leads to good music.
  
  Patterson's songs are solid. There is lots of stuff in here about whiskey and women – two themes that he combines perfectly in “Bourbon Breath Kiss.” Interspersed are complaints about traditional country music stations and, you know, relationship songs. The cocky “My Own Songs” where he mentions his influences: Steve Earle, Jon Dee Graham, Drive By Truckers, Hank and Johnny Cash is a fun ride.
  
  

• It's Hard Not To Like This Record [+ Show ]
  

  Patterson has a fine voice and doesn't allow the gritty and dusty whisky-soaked sound drown him out....Patterson has a fine voice and doesn't allow the gritty and dusty whisky-soaked sound drown him out. Leaving,TX create a lovely dirty sound... it's hard not to like this record. Throughout, fiddles, guitar, pedal steel and Patterson's vocals add to up create an excellent "disc".

• Need a Live act? [+ Show ]
  

  I saw these guys a few months ago and they blew me away - see these guys live if you get the chance....I saw these guys a few months ago and they blew me away - see these guys live if you get the chance. This CD hits a chord for all who long for the days of "In your face" musicians with the talent to back it up. Think Steve Earle's energy of the mid-90's or perhaps Brent Best and Slobberbone coming off a 3 day bender. Check out "If the Bottle Doesn't Kill Me" for a fun ride and a good appreciation of Patterson and Leaving, TX.

• Band sets themselves above others... [+ Show ]
  

  When the love for Texas and it’s music is so strong to inspire artists that reside a large distance ...When the love for Texas and it’s music is so strong to inspire artists that reside a large distance away like Leaving, TX, the result becomes rich with feeling and passion. This quartet guided by Chris Patterson, lead vocalist and guitars, comes from Washington, DC but their hearts beat loud for the Lone Star state and the sound is rich and articulated. Together with Chris is bassist Garry Cecil, Thor Smith on the drums, and Andrew Buhler on lead guitar and pedal steel. The band added fiddle, mandolin, Hammond organ, and banjo to the CD to get a sound that critics are comparing to Reckless Kelly, Drive By Truckers, and Steve Earle. “100 Miles to Sunday” is their debut release and it is the result of a year spent working live shows (the band was formed in late 2004) and a brief period in Austin, TX where the actual idea for the band was formed. The Sound of Leaving, TX is free-wheelin’, rough, yet inspired… A fine cocktail of roots and rock where Chris Patterson shares his stories of life on the road, drinking, rebelliousness, but also love and friendship. With Songs like “Bourbon Breath Kiss”, “If the Bottle Doesn’t Kill Me”, “Hundred Miles”, “You’re to Blame”, and “Sinful and Seperated” the band sets themselves above others in originality and cohesion. There is also a fantastic cover of a classic Nick Lowe song, “Peace, Love, and Understanding” which became famous in America by Elvis Costello. With a disc this good and fresh, I advise that you purchase it immediately. Find more information at www.leavingtx.com.

Setlist

Leaving,TX is an original band featuring the songs of Chris Patterson. They will sneak in a few obscure covers during their set. The band prefers one or two 45-60 minute sets although they have about 4 hours worth of material with over 40 original songs and another dozen covers.

Basic Requirements

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