How does one describe the True Believers without sounding ridiculously hyperbolic? The Trubes are an old fashioned, full throttle three guitar band. They have the energy of punk rock, mixed with the big riffs of classic rock and metal. Like the latter day New York Dolls, they rework the multiple guitar formula in a way that is fresh and exciting. They don’t play ballads. They will, they will rock you
The TBs first recorded during the Reagan administration and recently reformed to address unfinished business. Lead disciple Alejandro Escovedo has had the most accomplished solo career, releasing fifteen albums and being named the No Depression “Artist of the Decade” in 1998. Second guitarist Jon Dee Graham is an Austin fixture that I saw last year perform with Freedy Johnston and Susan Cowsill in their Hobart Brothers and Lil’ Sis project. In 2012, Graham was walking with a cane and looked like a man losing a battle against the weight of the world. After having successful knee surgery, Graham is completely rejuvenated, loving his position is his old new band. Escovedo and Graham were equal partners onstage, trading licks, fills, and leads. Third guitarist Javier Escovedo primarily played rhythm, but did transition to lead on a few songs. The Escovedo brothers and Graham alternated on lead vocals.
Speaking of vocals, they were basically unintelligible. The sound mix could not capture the singers over the roaring din of the intricate yet deafening twenty four string attack. Bassist Denny DeGorio unpretentiously served up the melody on bass while drummer Rey Washam attacked his snare with relentless intensity. At times, pulling out riffs reminiscent of the Hives, the band overwhelmed the festival’s limited sound system.
I would love to hear the True Believers play live with a proper sound system and I’d also love to see them perform a full set. After forty minutes, the Grapevine Main Street Festival organizers told the band to exit the stage. The True Believers were booted for being too loud.
Rock ‘n’ roll, kids. When done right, it can still scare the establishment.
Grade – B+
Setlist:
Hard Road
All Mixed Up
One Moment
Who Calls My Name
The Rain Won’t Help You When It’s Over
Lucky Moon
Rebel Kind
Dedication
Gypsy Son
She’s Got