A
Another Cup of Coffee - The now-defunct Austin coffee house on the corner of San Antonio Street and West 24th Street where The Gourds played their first shows in 1994. According to Charlie Llewellin, "It was summer-ish '94. We did maybe five or six shows there...I picked the place because they had music but weren't really pushing it so it seemed like a good place to start" (C. Llewellin, facebook, 10/30/13).
B
Claude Bernard - Plays accordion, organ, guitar, percussion, and adds primarily background vocals for The Gourds. One of the band's 3 remaining original members. Also played in The Tinys with Matt Cook and Travis Garaffa. Currently plays in The Hard Pans with Jimmy Smith (bass), Mark Creaney (guitar), and Josh Wienholt/Jack Smith (drums).
Best of Boots (BoB) - A series of fan-issued live 'greatest hits' cd's covering the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 (i.e., volumes 1 to 4). Each volume consists of 3 cd's and contains arguably the year's best live versions of covers and original material by The Gourds. The compilations were assembled primarily by John "Ducktaper" Smith and Michael Barnes, with additional help on volumes 3 and 4 from Lance Davis, Karl Richter, Eddie Fisher, and Ryan Whitton, among others. While the BoB series was put on hold during the years 2006 and 2007, the 2008 version is currently being developed (J. Smith, personal communication, July 13, 2009).
Bolsa de Agua - The Gourds fourth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 2710 South Lamar Boulevard and released on September 26, 2000.
Blood of the Ram - The Gourds sixth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 4718 Depew Avenue and Richmond Ditch [ ] and released on October 19, 2004.
The Bumz - Kevin Russell's first Shreveport band (c. 1985), with Russell on guitar/vocals, David Green on drums, and Billy Blax (Hagan) on bass. The band played a handful of gigs at the Cafe Directoire and eventually changed their name to the Picket Line Coyotes with this line-up still intact. Occasional sit-in guests included (Claude's brother) Rob Bernard and Brady Blades.
Buttermilk & Rifles –
C
Larry Campbell - Produced and played on The Gourds tenth studio album, Old Mad Joy, recorded in Woodstock, NY, during March of 2011.
Cold War's Hot Water Shower: Featuring Dr. B -
Jeff Cook - Former road manager for The Gourds. Sometimes referred to as "Country Data". Could usually be found at the merchandise table during shows.
Michael Corcoran - Music writer for the Austin American-Statesman who penned the first review of The Gourds debut album on October 1, 1996.
Cow Fish Fowl or Pig - The Gourds fifth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 2710 South Lamar Boulevard and released on September 17, 2002.
Mark Creaney - Current front-of-the-house soundman for The Gourds. Has also played guitar for Shinyribs, Kevin Russell's musical side project. Currently plays in The Hard Pans with Jimmy Smith (bass), Claude Bernard (keyboards, guitar), and Josh Wienholt/Jack Smith (drums).
Michael Crow -
Cucurbitaceae - Often referred to as "listers" or "cucurbs", these fans of The Gourds participate(d) in an online Yahoo! Music Group founded by Melinda Haire on October 14, 1998. Though activity on the site appears to have decreased significantly in mid-2010, it still maintains over 2,000 members with a total post count of 88,923 (February 25, 2013).
D
Dem's Good Beeble - The Gourds first studio album. Recorded at The Laurels Ranch in the Texas Hill Country and released on October 1, 1996.
Donegal Beard -
E
Electric Lounge -
F
Fatty Carmelo -
Friday Night Lights -
G
Best of Boots (BoB) - A series of fan-issued live 'greatest hits' cd's covering the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 (i.e., volumes 1 to 4). Each volume consists of 3 cd's and contains arguably the year's best live versions of covers and original material by The Gourds. The compilations were assembled primarily by John "Ducktaper" Smith and Michael Barnes, with additional help on volumes 3 and 4 from Lance Davis, Karl Richter, Eddie Fisher, and Ryan Whitton, among others. While the BoB series was put on hold during the years 2006 and 2007, the 2008 version is currently being developed (J. Smith, personal communication, July 13, 2009).
Bolsa de Agua - The Gourds fourth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 2710 South Lamar Boulevard and released on September 26, 2000.
Blood of the Ram - The Gourds sixth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 4718 Depew Avenue and Richmond Ditch [ ] and released on October 19, 2004.
The Bumz - Kevin Russell's first Shreveport band (c. 1985), with Russell on guitar/vocals, David Green on drums, and Billy Blax (Hagan) on bass. The band played a handful of gigs at the Cafe Directoire and eventually changed their name to the Picket Line Coyotes with this line-up still intact. Occasional sit-in guests included (Claude's brother) Rob Bernard and Brady Blades.
Buttermilk & Rifles –
C
Larry Campbell - Produced and played on The Gourds tenth studio album, Old Mad Joy, recorded in Woodstock, NY, during March of 2011.
Cold War's Hot Water Shower: Featuring Dr. B -
Jeff Cook - Former road manager for The Gourds. Sometimes referred to as "Country Data". Could usually be found at the merchandise table during shows.
Michael Corcoran - Music writer for the Austin American-Statesman who penned the first review of The Gourds debut album on October 1, 1996.
Cow Fish Fowl or Pig - The Gourds fifth studio album. Recorded in Austin at 2710 South Lamar Boulevard and released on September 17, 2002.
Mark Creaney - Current front-of-the-house soundman for The Gourds. Has also played guitar for Shinyribs, Kevin Russell's musical side project. Currently plays in The Hard Pans with Jimmy Smith (bass), Claude Bernard (keyboards, guitar), and Josh Wienholt/Jack Smith (drums).
Michael Crow -
Cucurbitaceae - Often referred to as "listers" or "cucurbs", these fans of The Gourds participate(d) in an online Yahoo! Music Group founded by Melinda Haire on October 14, 1998. Though activity on the site appears to have decreased significantly in mid-2010, it still maintains over 2,000 members with a total post count of 88,923 (February 25, 2013).
D
Dem's Good Beeble - The Gourds first studio album. Recorded at The Laurels Ranch in the Texas Hill Country and released on October 1, 1996.
Donegal Beard -
E
Electric Lounge -
F
Fatty Carmelo -
Friday Night Lights -
G
The Grackles -
Growin' a Beard -
Ghosts of Hallelujah - The Gourds third studio album. Recorded at The Laurels Ranch in the Texas Hill Country and released on February 23, 1999.
Gogitchyershinebox -
Gourds Larva - (plural Larvae) An expression introduced from the stage by Kevin Russell on 10-26-11 at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR, in an effort to replace the increasingly popular and potentially off-putting term, “Gourds Virgin”. Describes an individual of either sex who is about to experience the band’s live show for the very first time.
H
The Hard Pans - Jimmy Smith & Claude Bernard's current musical side project with Mark Creaney (guitar) and Josh Wienholt/Jack Smith (drums). After forming in December of 2012 with Rick Pierik on drums, the band replaced Pierik with Dave Pennington in January and played their first gig at Stubbs in Austin, TX, on February 7, 2013. Pennington was later replaced by Josh Wienholt and (Jimmy's brother) Jack Smith, who rotate based on their availability. When asked on facebook if the band's name was a cinematography reference, Smith responded: "audio-it's the sweeping of a signal such as a guitar to one side of a stereo mix. if you only hear claude's guitar in the left speaker it's hard panned to the left. widely used in the sixties due to the technical limitations of the time. considered obsolete these days, the hard pans still practice this technique...[it's] also a greek god with a boner" (J. Smith, facebook, 2/24/13).
Hard Rain version - An alternate arrangement of "Cold Bed" that was first played on 9-24-10 at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta, GA. Named after Bob Dylan's 1976 live album/concert film, Hard Rain.
Haymaker! - The Gourds ninth studio album. Recorded at [ ] and released on January 6, 2009.
Heavy Ornamentals - The Gourds seventh studio album. Recorded at [ ] and released on January 24, 2006.
I
J
Max Johnston - One of three songwriters in The Gourds. Plays fiddle, lap steel, mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo and sings one or two songs each show. Joined the band in 1998 after playing on their third album, Ghosts of Hallelujah. Previously played with Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, among others. Currently working on a solo album with producer Eric Jarvis.
Kev Russell's Junker - Former musical side project of Kevin Russell. Supporting cast included [ ].
K
L
Lakeway version - An alternate arrangement of "Fine Leather Truck" that was first played on 9-13-09 at the Lakeway Resort & Spa in Austin, TX.
Keith Langford - Plays drums, percussion, harmonica and adds backing vocals for The Gourds. Joined the band following the departure of original drummer Charlie Llewellin in 1997. Previously played with The Damnations, among others. Currently plays in Shinyribs with Kevin Russell (guitar, mandolin, ukulele), Jeff Brown (bass), and Winfield Cheek (keyboards).
Last Stomp - An expression coined by Austin American-Statesman music writer Michael Corcoran in his preview of The Gourds pre-hiatus finale at Threadgill's World Headquarters on October 27, 2013. The show was a sell out, with over 700 fans attending from as many as 26 different states, and an additional 300 viewers watching at home on USTREAM. The set list can be viewed here.
Jerry Lewis version - An alternate arrangement of "When the Money Comes Rolling In" that was first played on 3-03-12 at Threadgill's World Headquarters in Austin, TX. Named after the American comedian/actor, specifically because "it will make you shit" (J. Smith, personal communication, March 5, 2012).
LGO - Refers to the model of guitar (e.g., Gibson LG-0, LG-1, LG-2) played by Jimmy Smith from the band's inception until 2008.
Livingston version - An alternate arrangement of "Cold Bed" that was first played on 8-27-10 at The Mint Bar in Livingston, MT.
Charlie Llewellin - Original drummer for The Gourds (1994-1997). Largely responsible for getting them their first gigs.
M
Boo MacLeod - A music producer and engineer based in Austin, TX. Has worked with Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Robert Plant, and Doug Sahm, to name just a few. Was engineer on The Gourds first three albums. Also mixed their first two albums.
Missoula - A city in the western part of Montana where The Gourds have put on some of their most inspired and well attended shows, including a free September 2007 performance that drew approximately 7,000 people. According to Kevin Russell, "Missoula is the epicenter of all that is Gourd. The honorary mystical Gourd head resides in the secret society of the Missoula Mafia. We must return within predetermined cycles defined by ancient scripture to do battle with the forces of country and rock in a no holds barred, winner-take-all scenario of undulating, migratory bliss" (elbandola.com, January 21, 2009).
Missoula Mafia - A collection of diehard Gourds fans who have been maniacally promoting, producing, and attending sold-out shows in Missoula, MT, since The Gourds appearance at the Blue Heron on February 14, 2001. Sometimes referred to as the "Mo Town Mafia", this is a vast group whose membership is not clearly defined or understood. As one member recently suggested, "You are part of it if you think you are, no matter where you are" (personal communication, August 11, 2009).
My Name is Earl -
N
Noble Creatures - The Gourds eighth studio album. Recorded at [ ] and released on July 10, 2007.
O
Old Government - A two-man band made up of Jimmy Smith and Claude Bernard that existed for a brief time between the fall of The Grackles and the rise of The Gourds. In addition to some busking on the University of Texas at Austin campus, they played one live show at the Hole In The Wall before disbanding.
Old Mad Joy - The Gourds tenth studio album. Recorded at Levon Helm's studio in Woodstock, NY, and released on October September 13, 2011.
P
Rob Patterson -
Picket Line Coyotes - After changing their name from The Bumz (see above) to the Picket Line Coyotes, the band added Joey Percival on guitar and Steve Perro on percussion. They secured a regular gig at The Killer Poodle in Shreveport before Perro and Blax left the band. Percival moved to bass and (Claude's brother) Rob Bernard joined to play guitar. With this line-up, the band released Fashion Dogs (1987), a 350 vinyl-only pressing, and the cassette-only Upholstery Van Songs (1988). After the band relocated to Dallas, Percival left and was replaced by Jimmy Smith. This line-up produced the cassette-only We Shall Annex the Sudetenland (1990). In June of 1991, Travis Garaffa replaced Green on drums. Some nine months later, just after SXSW, the band broke-up. Although the final line-up produced no official releases, the four members would record together as a unit on the unreleased Kevin Russell pre-Grackles/pre-Gourds solo project, "The Cedar Creek Sessions". Click here and here to see live PLC video, circa 1991.
Portland version - An alternate arrangement of "Do 4 U" that was first played on 2-09-09 at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR.
Q
R
N
Noble Creatures - The Gourds eighth studio album. Recorded at [ ] and released on July 10, 2007.
O
Old Government - A two-man band made up of Jimmy Smith and Claude Bernard that existed for a brief time between the fall of The Grackles and the rise of The Gourds. In addition to some busking on the University of Texas at Austin campus, they played one live show at the Hole In The Wall before disbanding.
Old Mad Joy - The Gourds tenth studio album. Recorded at Levon Helm's studio in Woodstock, NY, and released on October September 13, 2011.
P
Rob Patterson -
Picket Line Coyotes - After changing their name from The Bumz (see above) to the Picket Line Coyotes, the band added Joey Percival on guitar and Steve Perro on percussion. They secured a regular gig at The Killer Poodle in Shreveport before Perro and Blax left the band. Percival moved to bass and (Claude's brother) Rob Bernard joined to play guitar. With this line-up, the band released Fashion Dogs (1987), a 350 vinyl-only pressing, and the cassette-only Upholstery Van Songs (1988). After the band relocated to Dallas, Percival left and was replaced by Jimmy Smith. This line-up produced the cassette-only We Shall Annex the Sudetenland (1990). In June of 1991, Travis Garaffa replaced Green on drums. Some nine months later, just after SXSW, the band broke-up. Although the final line-up produced no official releases, the four members would record together as a unit on the unreleased Kevin Russell pre-Grackles/pre-Gourds solo project, "The Cedar Creek Sessions". Click here and here to see live PLC video, circa 1991.
Portland version - An alternate arrangement of "Do 4 U" that was first played on 2-09-09 at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR.
Q
R
The Ranch - The Laurels Ranch is a multi-generational family ranch in the Texas Hill Country where The Gourds recorded their first 3 records.
Rche - Nickname for Jim Archuleta, the one-time house soundman at the Electric Lounge who went on to become The Gourds first soundman.
Clocker Redbury -
Richmond Ditch version - An alternate arrangement of "Lower 48" that was first played on 7-12-10 at the Waucoma Club in Hood River, OR. Named after the home in which the outtake was originally recorded during the Blood of the Ram sessions.
Kevin Russell - One of three songwriters in The Gourds. Plays mandolin, guitar, harmonica and sings approximately half the songs. One of the band's 3 remaining original members. Previously fronted Kev Russell's Junker. Currently fronts Shinyribs with Keith Langford (drums), Jeff Brown (bass), and Winfield Cheek (keyboards).
S
Shinebox -
Shinyribs - Kevin Russell's current musical side project with Keith Langford (drums), Jeff Brown (bass), and Winfield Cheek (keyboards). Russell began playing solo gigs as Shinyribs in 2006 and experimented with the addition of other musicians beginning in 2008. Before settling on the current line-up, he was accompanied on stage at different times by: Mike Stewart (bass, the skwanga), Tom Lewis (drums), Robert Chevrier (keyboards), Jon Dee Graham (lap steel), Bobby Perkins (bass), Mark Patterson (drums), and Mark Hayes (drums). The band has put out two albums, both on Nine Mile Records: Well After Awhile, released on June 15, 2010, and Gulf Coast Museum, released on February 27, 2012.
Dusty Slosinger -
Jimmy Smith - One of three songwriters in The Gourds. Plays bass, guitar, harmonica and sings approximately half the songs. One of the band's 3 remaining original members. Also fronts his musical side project Clocker Redbury and Dusty Slosinger and currently plays in The Hard Pans with Claude Bernard (keyboards, guitar), Mark Creaney (guitar), and Josh Wienholt/Jack Smith (drums).
Something's Brewin' in Shiner -
"Stab" - An instrumental on The Gourds seventh studio album, Heavy Ornamentals. The song's working title was "Stab at Rehab".
Stadium Blitzer - The Gourds second studio album. Recorded at The Laurels Ranch in the Texas Hill Country and released on February February 3, 1998.
Stadiumblitzer (the drink) - 1.5 oz Bourbon, Cola, float of Grand Marnier. Serve in a bucket glass and garnish with an orange slice. Created by Mickey Donutz.
The Steamy Bowl - Nickname for the Austin house at 4718 Depew Avenue where Jimmy Smith once lived and The Gourds often practiced in the mid to late 90's. A sign made by Smith, a bowl of soup marked with the words "The Steamy Bowl", hung in front of the residence.
Mike Stewart - Music producer, sound guy, tour manager, musician, and songwriter from Austin, TX. Has worked closely with the True Believers, The Dead Milkmen, and Poi Dog Pondering, to name just a few. Recorded The Gourds' first four albums. During those sessions, he also played bass on "I Come Up", rang the bell on "Honduras", provided chest thumps on "I Like Drinking", clapped his hands on "Magnolia", clapped and played the mag organ on parts of the album Ghosts of Hallelujah, and sang on "Hallelujah Shine". Also recorded Kevin Russell's solo album, Buttermilk & Rifles.
Stuart Sullivan -
Swampy Pat - Nickname for Pat Guillory, former soundman for the Gourds.
T
Throw and Go - The practice of running a soundcheck immediately before the start of a show in front of the paid audience. At times unavoidable, it does have the potential to diminish the crowd's energy before the first real note has been played.
The Tinys - Former musical side project of Claude Bernard with Matt Cook (bass) and Travis Garaffa (drums). The band's unreleased self-titled debut album was recorded in 2001. To date, Bernard has played three Tinys songs with The Gourds, which debuted in the following order: "The Tinys Variety Hour", "Wagon of Destruction", "Meteorite". The band reunited to play "Catch You Going Away" during The Gourds Last Stomp at Threadgills' World Headquarters on October 27, 2013.
The Tinys Variety Hour - The Gourds first played this tune by The Tinys in Atlanta (3-29-09). After the show, a Cucurb named Pete misheard Claude and wrote "Chinese Variety Hour" down on his set list. When asked for clarification two days later in Philadelphia, Claude remarked: "When I play it with The Gourds, that's what it's called".
Tractor version - An alternate arrangement of "Flavor on yer Tung" that was first played on 10-27-11 at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, WA.
Turf version - An alternate arrangement of "Roll & Tumble" that was first played on 11-16-11 at the Turf Club in Saint Paul, MN.
U
Unknown Soldier: Searching for a Father -
V
W
West Coast Effect - an expression offered by Val Cormier in Cucurbitaceae message #78,921 to account for the atypical song selection often associated with West Coast shows.
Jim Wilson -
Winters version - An alternate arrangement of "El Paso" that was first played on 2-13-09 at the Palms Playhouse in Winters, CA.
X
Y
Z