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 . &
