Austin Musicians - Asylum Street Spankers
Thursday, July 5th, 2007Last week I spoke about the upcoming National Poetry Slam. This week I’d like to tell you about a local band, the Asylum Street Spankers. How are these two things related?
The Asylum Street Spankers began in 1994 with the serendipitous meeting of Christina Marrs, Guy Forsyth and Wammo. Wammo is well known in the Austin slam poetry scene. He ought to be, he practically started the revolution! What happened when these three talented people got together? Music, baby!
Amazingly, Christina Marrs played no instruments when the band first started. She now plays five. Five! Not only that, but she writes songs, acts as the bands musical director and produces their shows. Can you say overachiever? Christina’s got it going on! The band is chock-a-block with talented musicians. Their instruments range from guitars to ukuleles to washboards and more.
Part soulful, part parody, part sexy, part controversial their music ranges from swing to blues to uproarious songs about beer and boogers. Whatever they’re singing it’s bound to be unexpected and delightful. It’s no wonder that one of my friends refers to them as “God’s favorite band”.
Here is a little sample of them at their finest (warning, may not be appropriate for work/children):
