It was the vibe they wanted to channel. Surly Gates‘ founding members James Webber and Jonathan Lennartz set up some mics in an old, abandoned East Austin compound and began work on the songs that would soon form the band’s self-titled EP. Guitarist Rusty Boyer, bassist Marshall Owen and drummer David Leland Horton contributed additional vocal harmony layers to build upon their rustic, flowing sound, an atmospheric build-up on an endless desert landscape. It’s a mix of garage, West Coast sounds, Southeast influences and something nomadic, wandering wide open spaces.
Surly Gates is starting a month-long Wednesday night residency at The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd., and tonight’s bill is an eclectic rock ‘n’ roll feast. Starting out the night are two bands all the way from Chile, Tomates Rocky at 8 p.m. and the Rising Sun Orchestra at 9 p.m. Then local psych-soul rockers The Astronaut Suit follow at 10 p.m., Surly Gates at 11 p.m., and the mighty Danny B. Harvey closes out the night at midnight.
This is one you need to see from beginning to end. Recommended.
