Describing themselves as a “goulash of members” from other and preexisting projects, Magic Rockers of Texas hail from right here in Austin. Frontman and chief songwriter Jim Campo had a handful of songs itching to be recorded, but was involved with his former group Berkshire Hounds. When the Hounds dissolved, Magic Rockers of Texas rose from the ashes, and with it, a whole lotta noise.
Their debut EP Rugged Braids is only five songs deep, but brilliantly showcases the spectrum of Campo’s influences and his band’s ability to actualize them, possessing a Beck-like dexterity of going from fuzz to twang without losing their essence. “Cure My Eyes” is the EP’s earworm, lodging itself in your brain with dime-flip changes in momentum and a chorus that can only be described as “catchy as all get out.”
“Cure My Eyes” appears on Rugged Braids, out now via their Bandcamp. Magic Rockers of Texas play Friday, April 14 at Oskar Blues Brewery.
-Taylor Wallace // host, Thursday 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. & Saturday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli and SoundCheck Music News