MONROE - Described as "America's preeminent country weirdos," the Austin Lounge Lizards return to the Monroe Arts Center stage on Saturday, Oct. 10, for an evening of their one-of-a-kind cutting edge political and social comment mixed with the wit and humor that is the tradition of great Texas songwriting. Their precise five-part vocal harmonies are accompanied with music arrangements that are themselves a spoof of the conventions of bluegrass, country, rock and pop music.
Since the group's founding in 1980, a shifting ensemble of Lizards has enjoyed what the military folks call a "target-rich environment." Fools, pompous fatheads, hypocrites, and self-important blowhards have never been in short supply in the Lone Star State and, armed with sprightly bluegrass melodies and a rapier-sharp lyrical sting, the band has enjoyed a virtual shooting gallery of satirical opportunities. And in an era in which Bernie Madoff, Roger Clemens, the Octomom, Rush Limbaugh and various villains from Detroit to Wall Street to Washington, D.C., all compete for space in the 24-hour news cycle, the national pickings are better than ever.
The onset of the Lizards' fourth decade marks a dramatic new era for them. The former "boys club" now sports two gifted female musicians. In the summer of 2008, Darcie Deaville joined the group on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. As of January 2009, Julieann Banks assumed bass and vocal duties. They join founding Lizards Hank Card (rhythm guitar), Tom Pittman (banjo, dobro), and Conrad Deisler (guitar). The addition of Julieann and Darcie enables the Lizards to tackle humorous issues from more perspectives than ever. "There's not another boy band out there that would have welcomed girls into its posse with the appreciation like the founding Lizards (and even the band's fans)," says Deaville. "The Lizards' songs and their take on the human condition has given me new insight on how important it is to laugh at ourselves and life's absurdities.
The Lizards are five-time award winners at the prestigious Austin Music Awards, and their version of Irving Berlin's "C-U-B-A" was used in the Michael Moore film "Sicko." The band has been featured by NPR's "Morning Edition" and on the radio programs "Mountain Stage" and "E-Town." The Drugs I Need (released in 2006) is the Lizards' 10th album and their second on the Houston-based Blue Corn Music label.
Reserved seat tickets for Austin Lounge Lizards are $25 and $20. Single tickets, as well as value-priced ticket packages, may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or in person at the box office located at 1315 11th St. Additional information regarding this performance and other MAC events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Duxstad, Vale, & Bestul; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson, & Koster; Paul and Sue Barrett; Bert Benkert, and Tom and Sue Nelson.
Since the group's founding in 1980, a shifting ensemble of Lizards has enjoyed what the military folks call a "target-rich environment." Fools, pompous fatheads, hypocrites, and self-important blowhards have never been in short supply in the Lone Star State and, armed with sprightly bluegrass melodies and a rapier-sharp lyrical sting, the band has enjoyed a virtual shooting gallery of satirical opportunities. And in an era in which Bernie Madoff, Roger Clemens, the Octomom, Rush Limbaugh and various villains from Detroit to Wall Street to Washington, D.C., all compete for space in the 24-hour news cycle, the national pickings are better than ever.
The onset of the Lizards' fourth decade marks a dramatic new era for them. The former "boys club" now sports two gifted female musicians. In the summer of 2008, Darcie Deaville joined the group on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. As of January 2009, Julieann Banks assumed bass and vocal duties. They join founding Lizards Hank Card (rhythm guitar), Tom Pittman (banjo, dobro), and Conrad Deisler (guitar). The addition of Julieann and Darcie enables the Lizards to tackle humorous issues from more perspectives than ever. "There's not another boy band out there that would have welcomed girls into its posse with the appreciation like the founding Lizards (and even the band's fans)," says Deaville. "The Lizards' songs and their take on the human condition has given me new insight on how important it is to laugh at ourselves and life's absurdities.
The Lizards are five-time award winners at the prestigious Austin Music Awards, and their version of Irving Berlin's "C-U-B-A" was used in the Michael Moore film "Sicko." The band has been featured by NPR's "Morning Edition" and on the radio programs "Mountain Stage" and "E-Town." The Drugs I Need (released in 2006) is the Lizards' 10th album and their second on the Houston-based Blue Corn Music label.
Reserved seat tickets for Austin Lounge Lizards are $25 and $20. Single tickets, as well as value-priced ticket packages, may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or in person at the box office located at 1315 11th St. Additional information regarding this performance and other MAC events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Duxstad, Vale, & Bestul; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson, & Koster; Paul and Sue Barrett; Bert Benkert, and Tom and Sue Nelson.