Slightly Legal

When junior mechanical engineering major Collin Kleypas and junior construction science major Adam Sonntag experimented as an acoustic duo in high school, they never dreamed they would record a full-length Texas Country album a few years later at Texas A&M.


It was not by coincidence Kleypas met drummer Oz Cantu at Fish Camp in 2007, where they decided to pursue a band. Two years later, the three musicians began practicing in the spare bedroom of a friend’s apartment and deemed themselves “Slightly Legal.”


By August 2009, the threesome had added to the mix lead guitarists Matt Panariello, a senior chemical engineering major, and Ryan Bretschneider, a junior mechanical engineering major, deciding they were ready to pursue music full-time.


Slightly Legal characterizes music as a conglomeration of country, funk and Southern rock, with some punk mixed in, but they said they are not a run-of-the-mill Texas country band.
Singer and guitarist Kleypas said Casey Donahew Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly and No Justice influence the members musically.


“We are on the fast track to becoming the next big Texas country band out of Aggieland; following the footsteps of Robert Earl Keen, Roger Creager and Rich O’Toole. We have gotten a lot of compliments on our music so far, the major one being a call from Rich O’Toole to open for his show Jan. 20 at Hurricane Harry’s,” Kleypas said. “Without even having a house party under our belts, we jumped into the deep end right off the bat playing the biggest music venue in College Station.”


The group encountered a rocky road on the way to recording the six-song album, struggling to balance being full-time students, maintaining jobs and attending regular band practices, while making whirlwind weekend trips to Wonderland Studios in Austin.


“We are all about having a good time. Built with a mentality of being unconventional in our musical style, we seem to please a wide variety of listeners. Being a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Randy Rogers Band and Johnny Cash, I work to bring a mix of those into the band,” bassist and keyboardist Sonntag said. “As a member of Slightly Legal, I’m stoked about the real lyrics and authentic tunes we bring to the table.”


They said there is something for everyone on their record — tales of love and romance such as “Lost in Love” and upbeat tunes about the joy of life such as “Texas Highway” and “Man I Wanna Be.” Slightly Legal offers tunes about cheap drinks and hanging out with friends in “Damn Good Story to Tell” and “Keystone Keys.”


Kleypas said after a Randy Rogers concert three years ago, he made a U-turn at an intersection, simultaneously “cutting off” other drivers. Sonntag asked his friend, “Was that legal?” Kleypas said, “Slightly,” and their name was born.


In 2010, the frontman said they find themselves promoting the album to fellow students in hopes of becoming the next Texas country sensation from Aggieland.


“The CDs are at production and should be done in about three weeks and on iTunes in about five. Our songs can be purchased off our Web site now for people that want them,” Kleypas said.


The country ensemble is optimistic about their future in country music.


“I think the most fun and rewarding thing about this whole ride is the songwriting,” said Cantu, a junior communication major. “It’s so crazy seeing a song grow from just scribbled words on a napkin to a professional radio worthy piece of art on a CD.”


Slightly Legal will have a CD release party April 23 at Shotzi’s. Their music can be accessed at http://myspace.com/slightlylegal.

- Texas A&M Battalion