The Long Tall Texans

The Long Tall Texans

The Long Tall Texans are a psychobilly and punk group from Brighton, United Kingdom. The band’s current line-up includes Mark Denman on vocals and slap bass, Theo on drums, Garry on guitar and Brother Matthew on guitar. The group’s sound combines psychobilly, rockabilly and other styles, with a strong emphasis on slap bass and cover versions that are reshaped in the band’s own style.

Career and recordings

The Long Tall Texans release a series of albums and appear on compilations on labels including Raucous, Nervous and Northwood Records. Early releases include Sodbusters, a slap bass-led album that mixes different influences rather than following a single genre template. Other releases include Los Me Boleros, which features the song “Indians”, and Five Beans in the Wheel as a live track. Saturnalia appears on picture disc and includes “Bloody”, “Cairo” and “No Tomorrow”.

Singing to the Moon marks a shift in direction, with the title track using echo-heavy reggae-influenced sounds, a dub version, the jazzier “Klub Foot Shuffle” and “Suicide at the Seaside”, a song based on a real-life tragedy. Aces and Eights follows with saxophone taking a more prominent role and includes a reworked version of “Bloody”, the track “Innocent Look” and a closing song that features guest guitar and metal elements.

Line-up changes and live work

Mark Denman, also known as Boggles, leaves the band in a live performance role for a period, after which the group continues through a number of line-up changes. Gus appears at one stage, followed by Cellmate Leicester Kev, Steve and Doug Shepard, formerly of the Rattlers. Paul Mumford later joins on saxophone, giving the band a fuller, more varied live and recorded sound.

The Long Tall Texans develop a strong live reputation in the psychobilly scene, particularly across Europe, and play extensively on the continent. Their touring also takes them to Japan. They are associated with energetic shows, a mixed audience of fans and a repertoire that includes both original songs and distinctive cover versions.

Notable incidents and reputation

The band is known for a series of touring stories involving heavy drinking, improvised travel and sleeping anywhere they can. These include a performance and recording session linked to the song and video Blood Sweat and Beers, a ferry incident involving The Klingonz, and a border crossing in which customs officers are given Long Tall Texans T-shirts after discovering the band’s vehicle was packed with instruments and gear. Carew, in particular, is noted for being able to sleep in almost any place, including a kitchen floor and curtains.