STFS: Bloody Tears

One might say that The Bloody Tears are hotter than a honeymoon hotel. Of course, the old cliche that everything in Texas is big could apply as well. But cliches would not do this Austin outfit justice. According to vocalist/guitarist Eric "Solid Gold" Makowski, what makes them a product of Texas is their blend of sounds and influences.

"In a lot of Texas music, like Western swing or Texas blues, I think there's an influence of various southern styles. In our sound, too, you can hear a wide range of influences. Some of the best soul singers ever were cats that blended southern gospel, country, and blues to make their own form of R-n-B: Solomon Burke, Arthur Alexander, James Carr, Otis Redding, Ray Charles."

I recently spoke to Makowski to find out more about this "hip-shakin', heart -breakin', earth-quakin', love makin' boogaloo funk machine." Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bloody Tears: The Pharoahs of Nouveau Soul.

How would you define "garage rock," and how does that definition fit The Bloody Tears?

The core of the BT's (Casino, Billy Steve, Kory and I) is made up of cats who really did start bands and spent years in their basements and garages back in their hometowns. Sure "garage" is a label to help define a certain sound, but it also means something else to guys who have played too long for too few tips.

Ear Candy Magazine wrote about 'Downhanded': "This is a party album, plain and simple." Is that an accurate assessment?

Probably. The band formed with Billy Steve and Casino and I starting a new project just for our own edification. Play just the style of music we wanted. It didn't matter if anyone else would like it, so long as we were having fun and learning some new things creatively along the way. Sounds a little selfish, but in trying to appeal to every moron who flashes the "Rock On" sign, I think a lot of bands forget that it's supposed to be about fun and creativity, not purely marketing. If I have to hear one more Austin musician describe their "career," I think I'll puke all over their press kit.

What factors went into deciding to work with Jim Diamond?

This was an easy pick. Di-guy and I go back to our college band in the 80's at Michigan State. He's always had a great ear for arranging and producing, and he's an easy going guy too. Jack ****ing White will never allow his ego to admit it, but Diamond had a lot to to with the Stripes' breakout record. Listen to the MP3's on the Ghetto Recorders web site. That stuff jumps out at you, cuts through the crap. We hope to record the next batch of tunes in Detroit.

There are at least three covers on 'Downhanded.' What criteria goes into choosing one cover over another?

Well, we try to pick the originals that will give people an idea of the place that the originals are coming from. Reference points. Guide posts to better rock understanding.

What am I going to witness at a Bloody Tears show?

Sweating, dancing, screaming, drinking. Pretty much in that order.

Tell me about this legendary "energy" your band possesses. What do you attribute that to?

Fear of being laughed at.

Finally, what are your tour plans? Any new recordings on the horizon?

We have already received a couple crummy offers to tour overseas and spend our own money all along the way. And we're considering a tour of the midwest and northeast next year. That's where we're getting lots of college radio play. Plus, I have a 7-month-old at home now, so my priorities have shifted to say the least. It's a freakin' blast, too!

We just started writing new stuff. There's a little more subtlety to some of the newer stuff we're writing. We can be sensitive little bastards if we wanna be.