Songwriter Will Johnson played down the news just a bit. There wasn’t much fanfare to the initial announcement, but your Austin Music Minute host’s ears perked up, coupled with that Scooby Doo-styled “Whaaa??” expression of surprise. Make that, a lovely surprise: South San Gabriel is playing their first show in eight years.
It’s a safe bet that most Centro-matic/Will Johnson solo music fans are quite pleased by this return of sorts. Looking back, South San Gabriel was technically the band that came before Centro-matic – sort of. Their first release, South San Gabriel Songs/Music (2000), was later credited to Centro-matic in the U.S., following its European release. Along the way, South San Gabriel became the outlet for the quieter, more introspective songs written and recorded by Centro-matic.
KUTX host and producer Art Levy picked the song featured on today’s AMM, “I Am Six Pounds of Dynamite” from The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operation’s Through (2005), and needless to say, it brought back a flood of memories. It’s going to be a fantastic show tonight with South San Gabriel at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, with Marcus Striplin (singing the songs of Margaret Chavez and Pleasant Grove) sharing the bill. Get there around 8 p.m., or show up earlier with your favorite albums to spin for the Mohawk’s BYOVinyl Happy Hour. Very recommended.
-Photo courtesy of the artist.
