The Nightcaps

The Nightcaps are a Dallas rock and roll and blues group active from 1958 to 2009. They form in Dallas in 1958 when singer Billy Joe Shine, rhythm guitarist Gene Haufler, lead guitarist David Swartz, bassist Mario Daboud and drummer Jack Allday are still in high school. The band begins by playing record hops and school dances, and also starts writing original songs.

Early recordings and local success

The group attracts the attention of local entrepreneur Tom Brown, who first tries to place them with RCA Victor and then releases their recordings on his Vandan label. Their debut single, “Wine Wine Wine” backed with “Nightcap Rock”, becomes a hit in Dallas and gains enough attention elsewhere to bring offers from places the band has never played. Their second single, “Thunderbird” backed with “Ole Jose”, also becomes a Dallas hit in 1960. That success leads to the recording of their only album, Wine, Wine, Wine.

Wine, Wine, Wine and style

Wine, Wine, Wine is a mix of rockabilly, blues and instrumental rock, and includes versions of songs such as “I Got My Mojo Working”, “Sweet Little Angel” and “Mojo Man”. The record also features the instrumental “Tough That’s All”, which highlights David Swartz’s blues playing. Jazz saxophonist John Hardee joins the lineup for the album while he is teaching in Texas, adding reed work to the band’s sound. Although the album does not chart, it circulates widely as a pirated release and helps the band secure bookings across the southern United States.

Later years and influence

The Nightcaps continue through the 1960s despite the British Invasion and several lineup changes. Gary Mears of the Dallas-based Original Casuals passes through the group at one point. Their music becomes an influence on later Texas rock musicians, including Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top. Jimmie Vaughan learns the songs from the band’s LP, Stevie Ray Vaughan also rates Wine, Wine, Wine highly, and ZZ Top uses “Thunderbird” to open Fandango. Over time, marriage, work and general weariness lead the members away from regular band activity, though Billy Joe Shine is still fronting a weekend version of the Nightcaps in the 1990s and remains a known figure in Dallas music.