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The album art on Reckless Kelly’s new release, Bulletproof (June 24, Yep Roc), is a semi-faithful rendition of the homemade armor Australian outlaw and band namesake Ned “Reckless” Kelly wore during his final police shootout. But don’t assume that imagery and album title represent the Austin-based band’s propensity for shoot-’em-ups, horse-thievin’ or similarly dangerous behavior; their badass streak is manifested mainly in their fiercely incredible ability to rock out, and their “outlaw” credentials stretch about as far as their appreciation for outlaw country.
If anything, founding brothers Willy and Cody Braun would prefer to do away with bloodshed. One of the most powerful tunes on Bulletproof is “American Blood,” a pointed indictment of the war in Iraq. Like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” it’s a real mover. But unlike that often-misunderstood anti-war anthem, there’s no misconstruing these lyrics; they’re a “Fortunate Son”-style diatribe against leaders who sacrifice patriotic young soldiers for all the wrong reasons.
“I’ve never been a very political guy. I’m just a songwriter trying to tell a story and attempting to shed light on the cold hard truth that not everything about this war makes sense,” says lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Willy Braun. “Whether you are for the war or against it, I think we can all agree that the troops deserve absolute support and respect for the job they are doing, and ‘American Blood’ is a tribute to the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform and their families.”
“God Forsaken Town,” co-written with friend and musical influence Robert Earl Keen, similarly addresses the suffering citizens of New Orleans. But not all of Bulletproof contains such serious subject matter. This self-produced disc, the follow-up to their acclaimed 2006 live double CD/DVD, Reckless Kelly Was Here, is clearly the creation of five guys who love to crank it up and have a good time. In fact, Willy prefers to describe their genre-straddling roots music as “more like a rock band with a fiddle” than a country band that rocks.
Take the energetic, grabby first single, “Ragged as the Road.” Its harmony-dressed melody is fueled by guitars as propulsive as the locomotives referenced in the lyrics. “A Guy Like Me,” which could easily be the next single, starts with a bass run and drumsticks clicking off an insistent rhythm, then quickly snags listeners with the hook of Willy’s demanding question, “Why don’cha wanna fall in love with a guy like me?”
As for that fiddle, it’s supplied by Cody, who also handles mandolin, harmonica and vocals. He’s joined by David Abeyta on lead guitar, Jimmy McFeeley on bass and Jay Nazz on drums. They throw in plenty of other instruments, too, contributed by guest luminaries including Lloyd Maines (pedal steel), Ephraim Owens (horn), Brian Standefer (cello) and Michael Ramos (B3, piano, Wurlitzer, pump organ).
Reckless Kelly began making waves in Texas shortly after moving to Austin from Bend, Ore., where the band formed more than 11 years ago. They’ve built a fiercely loyal fan base in the Lone Star state and western territories, including the brothers’ native Idaho, but they’re captivating new audiences in Chicago, New York, the Southeast (including the Chapel Hill, N.C. home of their new label, Yep Roc), and even industry-hardened Nashville.
That’s hardly a surprise when one considers how long the Braun brothers have been stepping on stages; they’ve been harmonizing together since they were kids performing in their dad’s western swing band, Muzzie Braun & the Boys, with brothers Micky and Gary (who now have their own band, Micky & the Motorcars). The Boys played “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” when they were preteens — and did so well, they were invited back.
Growing up in rural Idaho without TV, they weren’t even aware of who Johnny was — and didn’t know enough to be nervous that first time. Now, the brothers say, the only kind of performance that generates butterflies is when they sing the national anthem in one of their beloved ballparks; both Cody and Willy are baseball nuts. “It’s kind of a hard song to sing,” Willy explains, “and if you screw up, everybody knows it.” Still, they were particularly proud to serenade a Mother’s Day audience at Wrigley Field that was broadcast live on Chicago’s WGN-TV.
Not that audience members would ever detect any jitters. Consummate professionalism is one reason the band has fans like Steve Earle, with whom Reckless Kelly recorded tracks for Warren Zevon and Alejandro Escovedo tribute albums, and Joe Ely, who took the band on the road with him in 2007 after they recorded a song together for a Randy Newman tribute. Ely describes Reckless Kelly as “my kind of band: hell-raising, hard-playing, kick-ass songwriting, feet firmly in the present, but with an amazing knowledge of where it has all come from.” Discussions are in the works for another tour together; it’ll give them the opportunity to dig out those “Joe Ely & Reckless Kelly Show” (JERKS) T-shirts again.
Levity, of course, is one of the secrets to enduring road life and getting along together. You’ve gotta keep it fun, and for this band, that includes such activities as creating elaborate mini-movies and irreverent TV-show take-offs that look every bit as professional as any film school grad’s. (View their handiwork on RKTV at www.recklesskelly.com.) They’re also a gang of incorrigible (if not outlaw) pranksters who love a good party — especially if their fans are invited. They wouldn’t miss their annual foray to Steamboat Springs, Colo., for MusicFest, a skiing- and spirits-filled mountain sojourn, or a chance to join Cross Canadian Ragweed on the Big Music Cruise that floats from Texas to the Caribbean, or Willy and Cody’s favorite weekend of the year, when they go back home to Challis, Idaho, for the Braun Brothers Reunion, which attracted 5,000 friends and fans in 2007.
“That’s something my dad’s been doing with his brothers and his dad since we were little kids and even before we were born,” says Willy. “Every year, it’s gotten a little bit bigger, and in the last three or four years, we started bringing out friends of ours from Texas, like Cross Canadian Ragweed and Robert Earl Keen and Randy Rogers.”
Promoter John Dickson, the man behind MusicFest and the cruise, says they connect so well with fans because their music is genuine, and so are they. “You do get to know ’em through their music,” says Dickson. And it becomes a personal relationship. They’re approachable, he says, and they enjoy interacting with fans. “It’s like the Braun reunion — that family spirit and energy and closeness and friends.”
That’s why they’re planning their first softball tournament in November to benefit Austin Little League or a similar charity. That’s also why Willy loves opportunities to collaborate with brother Micky, who co-wrote “Passin’ Through” and “Don’t Say Goodbye,” two of the album’s musings on the subject of love. (Another tune, “One False Move,” was written with Dustin Welch — son of revered singer/songwriter Kevin Welch.)
Yeah, getting to make music and have fun with family and friends on a regular basis. It just doesn’t get any better than that. Which is why the guys in Reckless Kelly intend to stick together for a long, long time to come.
All shows are general admission. Events will take place rain or shine.
Doors open approximately 1 hour before show time.
PERMITTED ITEMS:
Low-back chairs (seats may be no more than 5 inches off the ground),
Blankets,
A small picnic basket and/or cooler,
Sealed non-alcoholic beverages.
The show last night at Tamarack was awesome. The new tunes are great. It was good to see you boys. Take it easy and we'll see ya on down the road. ~ Mel
Once again you guys, "YOU ROCK" the new CD kick ass. Your music keeps getting better and better everytime.....can't wait to see you in California......thanks.
