The Asylum Street Spankers On Busking, Spanking, And Lunchboxes

There are so many words that come to mind when describing the Austin-based band Asylum Street Spankers:  mischievous, irreverent, playful, subversive, vaudevillian.   These words get at the zaniness and sensibility of the Spankers, but they don't account for how talented these musicians are - both as musicans and songwriters.  Their music is a combination of vintage country, blues, jazz, and tin pan alley and they write about everything from politics to drugs to lunchboxes.   

The band began busking the streets of Austin back in the early 1990's, which is how they got their name.  One of the streets they often busked was nicknamed Asylum Street.  The word "spanker" is an old musicians' term for "one who plays his intstrument vigorously and proficiently."   The Spankers eventually took their act on the road, developed a cult following, and have since have recorded 17 albums.  Their latest is a children's album called Mommy Says No! and I love it.  It's catchy and sweet and makes me happy (there's even a song about boogers!)

The Asylum Street Spankers performed in our studios on Monday of this week.  You can see the video below and listen to the interview on These Days. 

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