Photo by Richard McBlane
Austin’s Madisons come from some pretty disparate backgrounds. Frontman Dominic Solis picked up the guitar relatively late in life, finding it in his twenties during a stint in the military. The other members’ musical resumes are just as fascinating: a Misfits cover band, a mariachi upbringing, even a classically-trained viola player all play a role in Madisons. Perhaps this helps explain the band’s ramshackle energy, which is built as much on punk rock power as it is on a love for classic country.
Madisons’ second album, the awesomely-titled You Can Take Your Sorry Ass Back To West Texas!, revels in both beauty and ugliness. “In My Pocket Forever” is a murder ballad balanced by a triumphant arrangement. While Solis sings of desperate characters, the trumpet and fiddle help the song explode like a long-lost Uncle Tupelo deep cut.
Catch Madisons’ album release show at the Saxon Pub on Saturday, July 5.
