The Derailersare an Americancountry musicband based inAustin, Texas.They were founded byPortland, Oregon,natives Tony Villanueva and Brian Hofeldt in 1994.[1]
The Derailers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Austin, Texas,United States |
| Genres | Ameripolitan |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Freedom, Watermelon,Sire,Lucky Dog,Palo Duro |
| Members | Brian Hofeldt Karen Biller Sweet Basil McJagger Bracken Hale |
| Past members | Tony Villanueva Mark Horn Ed Adkins Kevin Smith Chris Schlotzhauer Scott Matthews |
| Website | http://www.derailers.com |
History
editThe Derailers' first LP,Live Tracks,was issued in 1995. It was the first release of the Austin-based independent label Freedom Records. Shortly after the release, The Derailers became one of the most talked about acts at Austin's 1995South by Southwestmusic festival, and the record became profitable within two months.[2]This occurred at a time when “Americana”radio stations were starting to multiply and various forms of non-mainstream country music were coming together under such rubrics as Americana and alternative-country. The Derailers became a major part of that movement, representing the "traditional honky-tonk"end of the subgenre.
With its fan base growing, the band signed with the more established Austin independent label Watermelon Records for their second release,Jackpot(1996), and then moved to Sire Records for their third release,Reverb Deluxe(1997). Aggressive touring across the U.S. and airplay on Americana radio stations[3]grew a steadily increasing fan base and The Derailers came to be seen as an act poised for breakout success in mainstream country, and were even hailed as “the future of country music” in the Austin press.[4]They signed withCurb Recordsfor their first major-label release,Full Western Dress,in 1999, which would reach No. 69 on theBillboardCountry chart. A single from this album, "The Right Place", appeared on theBillboardsingle charts at No. 71[5]and the video became one of the 50 most requested of the year 2000 onCountry Music Television.[6]
Seeking greater mainstream success, The Derailers switched toSony’s Lucky Dog Records for their next release,Here Come the Derailers,and were paired with Nashville A-list producerKyle Lehning.[7]This album had the unfortunate release date of September 11, 2001, and was largely overlooked by mainstream radio stations that began emphasizing patriotic songs.[8]A profile of the band onNational Public Radio’sMorning Editionin 2002 did help push the album just into the top 50 on theBillboardcountry charts.[9]The follow-up release for Lucky Dog,Genuine(2003), did slightly better, cresting at No. 44. But soon after that, founding member and primary vocalist Tony Villanueva announced he was leaving the band to spend more time with his family and become a church pastor.[10]
Since Villanueva’s departure, The Derailers have shuffled their lineup, with Brian Hofeldt taking on the role of primary front man. With these changes they have moved back to the independent world, releasing two albums on the Palo Duro label,Soldiers of Love(2007) andUnder the Influence of Buck(2007), a tribute album to one of their heroes,Buck Owens
Buck Owens andthe Buckarooshas been one of the primary influences on the Derailers' music from the beginning. Owens himself performed with the band on one track ofFull Western Dress,"Play Me the Waltz of the Angels", and also selected the band to play at his 70th birthday party in 1999.[11]
In addition to Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, The Derailers' music also reflects influences from 1960s pop-rock acts such asThe Beatles,Roy OrbisonandThe Beach Boys.On their 2007 CD,Under The Influence Of Buck,they dedicated the CD to Buck Owens and Buckaroo front menDon RichandDoyle Holly.
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Live Tracks | Freedom | |
| 1996 | Jackpot | Watermelon | |
| 1997 | Reverb Deluxe | Sire | |
| 1999 | Full Western Dress | 69 | |
| 2001 | Here Come the Derailers | 50 | Lucky Dog |
| 2003 | Genuine | 44 | |
| 2006 | Soldiers of Love | Palo Duro | |
| Retrospective: Just One More Time | Varese | ||
| 2007 | Under the Influence of Buck | Palo Duro | |
| 2008 | Guaranteed to Satisfy |
Singles
edit| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Just One More Time" | Reverb Deluxe | |
| 1999 | "The Right Place" | 71 | Full Western Dress |
| 2001 | "More of Your Love" | Here Come the Derailers | |
| 2002 | "Bar Exam" | ||
| 2003 | "Genuine" | Genuine | |
| 2006 | "I'm Still Missing You" | Texas Unplugged, Vol. 2 | |
| 2007 | "Hey Valerie" | Soldiers of Love | |
| "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass" | Under the Influence of Buck | ||
| "Big in Vegas" |
Music videos
edit| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Just One More Time" | Jamie Stern |
| "California Angel" | ||
| 1999 | "The Right Place" | Chris Rogers |
| 2001 | "More of Your Love" | Wes Edwards |
| 2002 | "Bar Exam" | Lawrence Carroll |
| 2007 | "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass" | Travis Nicholson |
Other appearances
editA band called "the Derailers" appears in the short story "Willa"byStephen King.Tony Villanueva is mentioned by name. The two protagonists see them play at a roadside bar called "26". The short story was first published in the December 2006 issue ofPlayboyand can be found in the collectionJust After Sunset,Scribner(2008).
References
edit- ^Billboard.com - Biography - Derailers
- ^Music: Freedom Records (Austin Chronicle.09-08-1998)
- ^The Derailers hope to widen the track – September 1999
- ^Music: Reverb Deluxe (Austin Chronicle. 11-17-97)
- ^LP Discography
- ^MySA.com: Goodspeed's Country
- ^Barnes & Noble.com - Music: Here Come the Derailers, Derailers, CD
- ^This time, The Derailers are genuine – March 2003
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-09-28.Retrieved2008-04-19.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^The Derailers – Pandora Internet Radio
- ^Palo Duro Records » Derailers