Shinyribs

Shinyribs
OriginAustin, 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
WebsiteShinyribs.org

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

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

  • Kevin Russell - lead vocals, guitar, ukulele, mandolin
  • Keith Langford - drums, percussion
  • Mason Hankamer - bass guitar, upright bass, tuba
  • Daniel "Tiger" Anaya - trumpet
  • Mark Wilson - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute
  • Eric Baker - keyboards
  • Marty Muse - pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, bongos
  • Kellee Fuller - backing vocals, percussion
  • Mars Wright - backing vocals, percussion

Former members

  • Alice Spencer - backing vocals, percussion
  • Kelley Mickwee - backing vocals, percussion
  • Winfield Cheek - keyboards
  • Jeff Brown - bass guitar
  • Danny Levin - violin
  • Jay Stiles - keyboards, melodica
  • Courtney Santana - backing vocals
  • Sally Allen - backing vocals
  • Mike Stewart - bass guitar, "skwanga"

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

Year Work/artist Award Result
2010 Well After Awhile Austin Album of the Year 7th place

[15]

Lone Star Music Awards

Year Work/artist Award Result
2014 Gulf Coast Museum Album of the Year Nominated
Americana/Roots Rock Album of the Year Nominated
2014 Shinyribs Live Act of the Year Nominated
2014 George Reiff Producer of the Year Nominated

Austin Music Awards

Year Work/artist Award Result
2015 Shinyribs Band of the Year 5th place
2015 Kevin Russell Musician of the Year 4th place
2017 Shinyribs Funk/Blues/Soul Band of the Year 1st place
2017 KevinRussell/Shinyribs Musician of the Year 3rd place
2017 Shinyribs Best Austin Band 2nd place
2017 Shinyribs Best Rock Band 6th place
2017 Keith Langford Best Drummer 5th place
2017 Winfield Cheek Best Keyboard Player 6th place
2017 Kevin Russell Best Male Vocalist 5th place
2017 Kevin Russell Best Miscellaneous Instrumentalist (ukulele) 5th place
2017 Kevin Russell Best Songwriter 5th 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. ^ a b 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". 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.