SAN ANTONIO -- The last time bassist Duck Buford, drummer Jimmy Ned Messer, songwriter and guitarist Troy Wayne Delco, lead guitarist Hollywood Steve Vegas and steel guitar player Chip Northcutt walked into the Lonesome Rose on St. Mary’s Street, eager fans immediately began dancing and howling soon after the band’s first bar of music rolled through the venue.
- Originated in Lubbock, Texas
- Songs often talk of drugs, infidelity and hardships
When that happens, Vegas said, he promises what happens next:
“We can rest pretty assure that it’s gonna be a decent night.”
Which was the case with The Beaumonts' most recent early evening Sunday brunch gig at the joint known as the “oldest honky-tonk on the St. Mary’s strip.”
To better understand The Beaumonts is to know their lyrics are foul-mouthed. Songs often talk of drug use, beer-drinking, infidelity, mockery of commercial pop country, a bit of redneck machismo, slants against the overly religious and tales of hardship on the high plains of Texas and beyond.
One more thing to add on that subject: from their music, to the lyrics, attitude and outfits --all of it is bundled together on stage and loaded with satire.
“We’re just trying to keep ourselves amused, really,” said Vegas.
In a sit-down interview inside the band’s studio, which is located in a questionable warehouse on the other side of the tracks on the outskirts of San Marcos, co-band leaders Troy Wayne and Steve Vegas said the band’s roots were firmly planted in the musically fertile red dirt from where they came from--central Lubbock, Texas.
A promotional flyer of the Beaumonts (Courtesy: The Beaumonts)
“Actually, I think it was when we gave up on actually accomplishing anything in the music industry, that’s when we became The Beaumonts, I suppose,” Delco said.
That was a little more than 12 years ago. Like Buddy Holly, Terry Allen, the Flatlanders, Natalie Maines and countless others, The Beaumonts fled Lubbock as quick as they could.
“Really I think it’s been historically proven like everyone else who left Lubbock. We’ve done much better outside of it,” said the lead guitarist.
“Get Ready For” by the The Beaumonts was the band’s first album 10 years ago.
“Where Do You Want It?” was released in 2013, followed up by “Hey Y’all It's THE BEAUMONTS" in 2015.
Now, the purveyors of no-holds-barred, purebred Texas outlaw country, have released their first live album, “This is Austin.” The 12-song live recording was captured at the famed White Horse in East Austin.
“So it was all recorded live. It’s the way it happened,” said Troy Wayne. “All those moments of complete silence between songs. That’s really the way it happened.”
If you dare to check out the band, which rightly earned the moniker "America's #1 Porno Honky Tonk Band," ticket buyer beware--you may be horrified.
Although together in unison, Vegas and Delco both yell “No! We’re never horrified.”
As the honky-tonk band continues to play anywhere bar owners allow their types on the doors, expect The Beaumonts to remain true to themselves and their music.
“We get joy from every aspect. You get mad we love that, s*** said Vegas. “Just as much as if we are your favorite band all of a sudden. It’s all good for us.