Crooks @ KUTX 07.08.2015

Outlaw country-western band Crooks is our Artist of the Month for July and they’re shaking country up.

Though Crooks initially came together in 2007 as a two-piece band playing small acoustic sets in Austin’s dive bars, over the years, the group has steadily morphed and grown into a crowded outfit including drummer Rob Bacak, stand-up bassist Joey McGill, lead guitar player Ryan Goebel, percussionist/trumpet player Doug Day, and accordionist/trumpet player Anthony Ortiz Jr., in addition to founding frontman Josh Mazour. Known for their cramped and rowdy live shows, Crooks has created a sprawling honky-tonk sound, equally rhythmic and dark, with touches of rock and roll, bluegrass, conjunto, and mariachi. The band’s newest album, Wildfire will be released today and it sees the band aiming for a more direct country sound without leaving their cinematic Spaghetti Western embellishments behind.

You can watch Crooks performing live at their album release party on June 11th at Scoot Inn and you can stream their full Studio 1A performance right here on KUTX.

Support KUTX’s ability to bring you closer to the music.

Donate Today