It was a chance meeting in Sherman, TX that got the ball rolling. Songwriters Tyler Wallace and Gregg Maher were attending Austin College when they decided to play together for, of all things, a talent show. It was also when they discovered their mutual love of roots music and everything they added to it – country, hard rock, and melodies. It was golden. And it was time to push the envelope even further by forming a band. Union Specific made their official debut in 2009 with their album Murderlights.
Wallace and Maher played just about every divey dive in North Texas that you’d ever come across, but it was paying off. Their live performances kept getting better and better, and it wasn’t long before they made their Austin debut on KUT in a live Studio 1A performance hosted by John Aielli. It was decided that Union Specific would relocate to the Live Music Capital to keep pushing the album, and they were eventually joined by upright-bassist Kim Taruc and Mickey Satterwhite on organ, keys and mandolin. A winning combination all around, and the very reason why Union Specific has played hundreds of shows throughout Texas, the Midwest and the East Coast.
Last year’s full-length release Diesel Engines & Kerosene Visions should definitely be on your must-listen list. Meanwhile, you can see Union Specific play tonight at the Hole In the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe. It’s another grand way to send off Monday night with Joe Sundell, The Bluebird Specials and the great Tex Smith also on the bill. Get there early because the music starts at 8 p.m. Recommended.
