Neil Trammel: Vocals, Guitar************************************************
Todd Elrod: Harps, Mandolin*****************************************
ChrisMcWilliams:Guitar,Vocals*************************************************
Matt Hicklin: Steel Guitar, Dobro*****************************
Influences
Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Logger Camps, Woody Guthrie, Gwar, Metallica, Ween, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, The Roots, Gangstar, Jurassic 5, Snoop Dogg and Dre, Miles Davis, Willie Nelson, Bill Lewis, Roger Moon, PABLO MENUDO, Tom Waits, Whiskey Bottles, Jamaican Cigarettes, Camel Cigarettes, Copenhagen, Red Man Chew, Poppin Johnny Tractors, Old Chevrolet Pickup Trucks, The ever changing status of relationships, Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead, and Jerry Garcia's bluegrass interpretations, Lonestar Beer, any beer for that matter, Sotol, our favorite Mexican town Hecho (where they make everything that Mexico exports, especially liquor) , OJ (the town and the man), Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Homer, Herocledes, Zeus, Christ, Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Bob Dylan, George Jones, Dave Duke, Eliza Gylkison, Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Space Travel, Fresca, Texas Monthly, The Rolling Stones, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, Shel Silverstein, Melville, Larry McMurtry, Megadeath, Pantera, Steve Earle, Freckles Brown, Chris LeDoux, Chris Wall, Pink Floyd, Celine Dion, More Whiskey, Late Nights in Strange Hotel Rooms, George Goss, Long Walks in the Hills, Illegal Skinny Dipping, John Prine, Unsharpened Pencils, Playing Washers, Illegal Gambling, Gumby, The Templar Myths, Hollywood, Texas, Oklahomo, I mean homa, Gatorade, Football, Playgrounds, Blues Bars, Dive Bars, and women.
Sounds Like
I wondered if you saddled a hog, jumped on, and started to draw a picture what would you get? I tried it, but the picture wasn't exactly a hogwallup unless you were on some kinda sid trip doing a Rorshach inkblot test and then the lines might blur and the sound would reflect the 1000 words. Words are just that, words, until they are flowing like a river upon the waves of sound, in such a way that it grabs a hold of ya. Maybe a hogwallup is more like the smack on the back of the hand or head when your doodlin in class. At first it stings kinda good, then it registers, and you realize much later in life you like girls that dress like teachers and have a domineering nature. I digress. I reckon there are a few bands that just seem comfortable like an old pair of boots, or a hat that's broke in and shaped just right. It kinda fits perfect, is familiar, yet unique and no other hat or boot will do.
So I seen Neil first, cause he's the biggest, some kinda cross between Bear Bryant and Joe Namath in Nylons. A voice that is smooth like brass. A croon aged by bourbon, beer, and cigerettes to the point of perfection between the shine and tarnish. His pickin, melodies, and words hit the full gamut from haunting to hilarious. Just listen to Busted Shitter.
I reckon Chris was the next one to wallup me. I mean he packs not only a helluva wallup on the guitar, but vocally as well. Just listen to Moonshiner. Its beyond psychedelics now! The Rorshach inkblot comes to life in strings singing a graceful moment in time and color. He has some incredible licks on the guitar. Yeah a real guitar licker. He can only handle a few girls at a time though, so that leaves the rest to Todd. Neil is still a virgin.
So Todd is the one Hogwallup that will give you the shirt off your back for yours. A harp maestro, a mandolin master, and a harmonic harmonizer. Probably the glue that binds hogwallups. A necesary ingredient to the mixture. Without it its kinda like spaghetti without the noodles, or a taco without the tortilla. Maybe he is the main doodler doing the doodlin. I just know I can't stand a BLT without the B.
This Matt dude on the Dobro and steel guitar stays invisible. He has hogwalluped and doodled so much that his dna transformed and is only visible through sound. Just another crucial element to the picture of sound. Perhaps we can all see him sometime. A few pitchers and shots and you'll not only hear the color but see it.
So no it ain't some weird meat at the Grocer. It ain't some new STD. It ain't some art show in Marfa. It ain't some bunch of kindergarteners drawing pictures. What it is is depends on the definition of is. It is a legendary West Texas musical group that you can't really describe. It is everything and anything. You gotta see it to believe it. The Doodlin Hogwallups: a perfect Draft Pitcher of Sound with a round of Sotol on the side.
A fan, a friend, and a Hogwallupin' Doodler -David Shane Duke
Chris McWilliams was born a poor peasant in some far off kingdom across the waters with no end. Even as a young child, he was considered to bethe most apt to leave his small village and become a courtyard jester. Unfortunately, the great migration of 1491 left young Chris just shy of his dream. He left his homeland with nothing more than the clothes on his back and a lute that had been his great-great-grandfather's.
Todd Elrod comes from ancient lineage. Unfortunately, the South African orangutangs found themselves hungry one day and ate the family tree. The true history of Todd Elrod was lost forever. Sadly, he was too young to remember his exodus to West Texas, but his strength and fortitude have lent him an abnormal advantage in the wares of blacksmithing.
Matt Hicklin comes to the stage from the hamlet of Marathon, somewhere in Greece, according to the history books, but little do they know. He is a native of San Antonio de Bexar del Norte de Vaca. He hones his honorable heap of historical hymns in anticipation of Armageddon.
Neil Trammell thinks that the world will end in 2012, because the Maya say so. That, and he remembers all of the words to the majority of Hogwallop songs.
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Matthew 24
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" 5Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains..... 28"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.