Rick Broussard's Two Hoots and a Holler
Austin, Texas, United States
Music
Press
“The Cove -- The Cajun rock 'n' roller is back to celebrate the release of "Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us Vol. 2." One of the most energetic roots rock/revved-up roots country performers around, Broussard and the band know how to mix it up. For the second installment of the covers project Broussard and Two Hoots dig into "Battle of New Orleans," "Mathilda,", "The Back Door," "Rock Around With Ollie Vee" and plenty more.” – Jim Beal ; San Antonio Express-News – March, 2006 - Jim Beal
“After listening to Rick for nearly two decades I still scratch my head and wonder why isn’t this guy included in the usual list of Texas music huminaries? Rick Broussard is a Texas original, part punk, party honky-tonker, part pop balladeer, part Cajun musical chef. Although an accomplished songwriter of the highest order, he has chosen both Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us records to record some of the songs that helped him develop his own style. You see, in this crazy world’s suggested set list, you’re not supposed to follow a Cramps song with a Cookie and the Cupcakes song. Those who try to, had better be good. And Rick is. – Casey Monahan – Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us Volume II liner notes – March 2006 - Casey Monahan
“For nigh on 20 years, this award-winning trio from Austin has been cross-breeding roots-rock with a little hillbilly gas and bluesy fuel. Last year's Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us was an unabashed valentine to record players and 45s, the spiritual home of the estimable local institution. Expect a little vocal levitation when frontman Rick Broussard gets going” – Margaret Moser; Austin Chronicle SXSW 2006 Picks – March, 2006 - Margaret Moser
“Broussard admirably demonstrates, for those who've never been to Austin, what real roots-rock is about” “.…his real strength is his songwriting. Thankfully, he revisits some classics written earlier in his career, which have been out of print for years, such as "Blues in the Night" and the ominous instrumental "No Man's Land". He shows his Cajun heritage on the waltz "Leaving Lafayette" and his sensitive side on a lovely instrumental rendition of the 60's hit "Sukiyaki”. The real gem, though, is "Step Fast". As Broussard signs, "There ain't no fakin' on the big dance floor….Welcome back Rick!” – Dan Forte; Vintage Guitar Magazine – February, 2006 - Dan Forte
“Of Cajun ancestry, Broussard is a high-powered electric guitar master who writes and sings original music which sends original nightclub crowds into a frenzy of jumping, humping, pelvic-jerking dance. The music pundits describe Rick’s music as everything from rockabilly to roots rock, but he actually delivers in a style of his own which covers trails blazed by everyone from the Kershaw Brothers to Buddy Holly and The Cramps.” – Sam Kindrick; Action Magazine – February, 2006 - Sam Kindrick
“For 20 years, Rick Broussard's Two Hoots & a Holler has epitomized the best aspects of Texas roots music, merging rockabilly with trad-country and adding enough punk abandon and songwriting flair to keep the whole thing from sounding retro-gimmicky or quaint.” – Gilbert Garcia; San Antonio Current - Gilbert Garcia
Discography
No Man's Land
Shadow Man
Angels Cry and Counted Sorrows
Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us, Volume I
Rick Broussard's Two Hoots and a Holler
Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us, Volume II
Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us, Volume III: Live Bootleg
Let it Go
Photos
Bio
If the band’s name sounds familiar, it should. For more than 20 years, Rick Broussard and company have been hammering out their unique blend of country meets roots rock in every honky-tonk, dance hall and bar from Texas to California to Oslo.
Founded in the early ’80s by Broussard (lead vocals, guitar, head songwriter), Two Hoots and a Holler is rounded out by Matt Brooks (guitar, vocals), Brendan Bigelow (bass), and Scott French (drums, percussion). Together they have made Two Hoots and a Holler one of the best-known bands in Austin, Texas, packing the places they play and leaving their fans fighting for dance floor space. These seasoned road dogs have toured extensively though the United States and Europe. The band has won numerous Austin Music Awards for Best Roots Rock Band and in 2004 and 2005, Rick Broussard was nominated for the Austin Chronicle Hall of Fame.
The local music community fell in love with Broussard when he started coming to Austin from San Antonio to play in the Surfin' Cajuns in the early '80s. Fronting his next band, Two Hoots and a Holler, Broussard was sure to be a star. The band’s catchy original songs such as "Blues in the Night," "Step Fast" and "Middle of the Night" defined Monday nights at the Black Cat, where the crowds lined up hours before show time and didn't let up all night.
Two Hoots and a Holler is influenced by everyone from Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash to The Cramps and The Clash to the swampy, Cajun music Broussard heard growing up. While the band can play a mean classic country tune, there’s no denying the effect rock ‘n’ roll has had on them, which led Broussard to once remark, “I’m just a punk rocker in cowboy clothes.”
In April 2005, Two Hoots and a Holler released Jesse Dayton produced Rick Broussard’s Two Hoots and a Holler on Stag Records. This CD is a collection of choice original songs including newly recorded versions of Broussard classics such as “Blue Texas Northern” and “Step Fast”. The CD also includes the band’s first recorded cover of their staple live guitar instrumental “Sukiyaki”.
Broussard released “Let it Go” in February of 2009 on Freddie Krc’s Steady Boy label. “Let it Go” is a dynamic, all original record that fuses Bobby Fuller West Texas Rock and Roll with the fury of English punk rock and garage R&B. Produced by long-time friend and Norwegian concert promoter, Jonny Minge, “Let it Go” was a musical journey starting in Austin, Texas at David Murray’s studio, traveling on to the Limefield Studio in Manchester, England and winding up full circle back in Austin at Bruce Robison’s Premium Recording studio. Once back in Austin, Detroit-based Jim Diamond of Whitestripes-recording fame, mixed it to it to monstrous perfection. An odyssey that spanned nearly three years has ultimately resulted in a melodic collection of songs that is irreverently volatile yet thought-provoking.
In March of 2008 Rick and the band released Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us Volume III: Live Bootleg carrying on the tradition of Songs Our Vinyl Taught Us Volume I and Volume II which were released in March of 2006 and October 2004 respectively on Freedom Records. These albums are “full of infectious original songs that they always perform live along with obscure cover songs – covers that deserved to be committed to record” – Michael Corcoran; Austin American Statesman.
Additionally, Two Hoots and a Holler have three other previous albums Shadow Man, No Man’s Land and Angels Cry and Counted Sorrows.
For more information including tour dates, please visit:
www.twohootsandaholler.com
www.mypsace.com/twohootsandaholler
Contact:
Rick Broussard
twohootsandaholler@hotmail.com
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