Leaving,TX
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE
Music
Press
When the love for Texas and it’s music is so strong to inspire artists that reside a large distance away like Leaving, TX, the result becomes rich with feeling and passion. This quartet guided by Chris Patterson, lead vocalist and guitars, comes from Washington, DC but their hearts beat loud for the Lone Star state and the sound is rich and articulated. Together with Chris is bassist Garry Cecil, Thor Smith on the drums, and Andrew Buhler on lead guitar and pedal steel. The band added fiddle, mandolin, Hammond organ, and banjo to the CD to get a sound that critics are comparing to Reckless Kelly, Drive By Truckers, and Steve Earle. “100 Miles to Sunday” is their debut release and it is the result of a year spent working live shows (the band was formed in late 2004) and a brief period in Austin, TX where the actual idea for the band was formed. The Sound of Leaving, TX is free-wheelin’, rough, yet inspired… A fine cocktail of roots and rock where Chris Patterson shares his stories of life on the road, drinking, rebelliousness, but also love and friendship. With Songs like “Bourbon Breath Kiss”, “If the Bottle Doesn’t Kill Me”, “Hundred Miles”, “You’re to Blame”, and “Sinful and Seperated” the band sets themselves above others in originality and cohesion. There is also a fantastic cover of a classic Nick Lowe song, “Peace, Love, and Understanding” which became famous in America by Elvis Costello. With a disc this good and fresh, I advise that you purchase it immediately. Find more information at www.leavingtx.com. - Remo Ricaldone www.lonestartime.com
"If you travel a few miles south of Alt-Country and turn right at Cow-Punk you’ll find Leaving, TX… a gritty, dusty, whiskey-soaked hell-hole somewhere just outside the gates of purgatory. Leaving, TX is one of the strongest contenders to emerge on the alt.country scene in years. The original Alt.Country outfit has rapidly come to life in the Washington, DC music scene… Quickly and rightfully earning comparisons to Drive By Truckers, Steve Earle, and Reckless Kelly just to name a few." - ONTAP Magazine
A most welcome surprise that fell into our lap last week was Leaving TX's “100 Miles to Sunday.” Without knowing anything about it, we popped it in the player, and loved it. Just like that.
Lead singer Chris Patterson’s voice has the rough edges that invite comparisons to Brent Best, Patterson Hood, and one of my current favorites, Creosote. Leaving TX’s website cites a strong Jon Dee Graham influence but you don’t need to read it on the web to hear it.
The music is rowdy; the lyrics, rebellious. With titles like “My Own Songs,” “You’re To Blame,” and “Give A Damn,” these guys appear to have a chip on their shoulders. The kind of chip that leads to good music.
Patterson's songs are solid. There is lots of stuff in here about whiskey and women – two themes that he combines perfectly in “Bourbon Breath Kiss.” Interspersed are complaints about traditional country music stations and, you know, relationship songs. The cocky “My Own Songs” where he mentions his influences: Steve Earle, Jon Dee Graham, Drive By Truckers, Hank and Johnny Cash is a fun ride.
- www.slackercountry.com
In a number of the songs the whisky flows abundantly like BOURBON BREATH KISS and IF THE BOTTLE DOESN'T KILL ME (There’s a woman here who will). Of course the disc is not lacking with the required sentiments of love and sorrow. In MY OWN SONGS you hear the correct complaint about good music not making it on country radio. You can definitely hear some Johnny Cash inspiration on this tune. Patterson has a grizzled voice which is perfectly arranged for this music and with the guitars they ensure that your ears remain continuously stretched. Honestly, it must be said that this has all been done before but that does not remove the fact that this is a band which deserves to be heard more often. - alt.country.nl
With their debut album, 100 Miles to Sunday, the boys find their place with the likes of Drive By Truckers, Reckless Kelly, Brent Best, Steve Earle, Jon Dee Graham, Jack Ingram, and last but not least Hayes Carll who has recently begun to charm Europe. Trouble nor expense was spared to bring in none other than veteran Paul Grupp (Byrds, Boston, Charlie Daniels) who was hired to produce this album and with the addition of fiddle, mandolin, Hammond B-3, banjo and the backing vocals of Vicky Pagen We must mention that it ended with an excellent result… Dreamy ballads alternated with edgy rockers, Telecasters mixed with sublime pedal steel, the gravel voice of Patterson. With Nick Lowe’s Peace, Love, and Understanding the band's (one cover) ties in their European roots. The band does well to convince us as Patterson cries out on My Own Songs, that Leaving, TX is my favorite band. Excellent Album! - Rootstime
Patterson has a fine voice and doesn't allow the gritty and dusty whisky-soaked sound drown him out. Leaving,TX create a lovely dirty sound... it's hard not to like this record. Throughout, fiddles, guitar, pedal steel and Patterson's vocals add to up create an excellent "disc". - Americana UK
I saw these guys a few months ago and they blew me away - see these guys live if you get the chance. This CD hits a chord for all who long for the days of "In your face" musicians with the talent to back it up. Think Steve Earle's energy of the mid-90's or perhaps Brent Best and Slobberbone coming off a 3 day bender. Check out "If the Bottle Doesn't Kill Me" for a fun ride and a good appreciation of Patterson and Leaving, TX. - Clete Cole
Feb. 4, 2006
The album "100 Miles to Sunday" (Lucky Range Records) debuted this week on the Euro Americana Chart in the 8th position strengthening the bands growing popularity overseas. The Euro Americana Chart www.euroamericanachart.nl is compiled monthly by DJ's, Journalists, Promoters, and Retailers all across Europe who are focused on Americana music. Each month these indivudals submit their top six CDs based on airtime, requests, reviews, sales, and quality of the music and from these submissions, the CDs are ranked and only the top 25 are placed on the Chart. - Euro Americana Chart
Discography
Late Gettin' Started - 2009
Anywhere on Good Roads - 2007
Live at Paddy's Pub EP - 2006
100 Miles to Sunday - 2006
"Live on Spotlight" DVD - 2006
Currently recording disc #4.
LEAVING, TX CD's have each appeared in the top 15 Euro Americana charts and American Roots charts.
Several live tracks were recently added to http://www.myspace.com/leavingtx
Photos
Bio
"One
of the strongest contenders to emerge on the alt.country scene in years"- ONTAP MAGAZINE
Gripping vocals, intelligent lyrics, and songs filled with memorable
hooks are what you will find with the LEAVING, TX. This original alt.country
outfit delivers a clever blend of cutting edge “twang-rock” mixed with a
healthy dose of country.
Songs about life, love, and the bottle… Intelligent lyrics,
strong instrumentation, raw whiskey-soaked alt.country… This DC-based
quartet has come on strong over the past year gaining regional, national, and
international attention. Their debut CD "100 Miles to Sunday"
was released in 2006. The disc reached #8 on the Euro-Americana
Charts. The bands 2nd CD,
“Anywhere on Good Roads”, released on Lucky Range Records in 2007 soared to #8
on the FAR (Freeform American Roots) Charts and #11 on the Euro-Americana
Charts. The band’s 3rd CD,
“Late Gettin’ Started” had similar success landing at #6 on the Euro-Americana
charts and #5 on the FAR charts in the US.
The band is driven by songwriter Chris Patterson’s rugged, in your face, vocal style, ripping telecasters and sweet pedal steel all anchored by a tight, driving rhythm section. This powerful group of musicians allow Patterson’s songs to really shine.
Patterson made the move to Austin, TX in 2010 but kept a long-distance love affair with LEAVING, TX; continuing to play festivals and occasional venue shows with the band. In late 2017 he returned to the east coast and LEAVING, TX is now working full time on their 4th CD and playing live music.
THE BAND…
Chris Patterson – vocals, acoustic
and electric guitars. The bands songwriter is a native of Iowa although
he has called sixteen cities home. Patterson received his first guitar at
the age of 8 but claims he didn’t learn to play it until he was 30. He
carries with him very strong Irish roots and spends a couple weeks each year in
Ireland seeking out music and his ancestry. His songwriting is strongly
influenced by Jon Dee Graham, Steve Earle, and Alejandro Escovedo.
Patterson has performed abroad in both Ireland and Scotland, played a solo showcase
during the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, TX and performed as a featured
artist at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Garry Cecil - bass and backing
vocals. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cecil was raised in the “wee”
village of Corstorphine. He was raised on British music but when he
arrived in America he soon became schooled by Hendrix, Zappa, and Capt.
Beefheart. This eventually led Cecil to the country rock movement and
later to bluegrass. It was a trip back to Scotland that had him dive head
first into the punk/new wave scene. He has played in numerous bands over
the years, “Non- Dairy Creamers”, “Gunpoint Affection”, and “The Swinging
Richards”, and most recently the highly regarded “Primitive Mind”, opening for
such greats as BB King, Lunasa, Junior Brown, and Doc Watson.
Thor Smith- drums. Smith is a native of Halden,
Norway. He started drum lessons in the first grade and played his first
professional gig at twelve years old. After a few years in a Hawaiian
show band, Smith moved to New York in the early eighties with an original new
wave outfit called “Ice Nine”. He then spent almost six years with the DC
group “The Smash Band”. Semi-retired from music he was coaxed back into
the scene after meeting Chris Patterson and getting hooked on his original
tunes.
Andrew Buhler - electric and
pedal steel guitars. Buhler is a proud native of Miami, Florida. He
started fooling around with the guitar after his father bought him an LP of
Hendrix’s “Smash Hits” at age 10. Buhler’s guitar work is “Massive”. From Miami to Japan to Cuba, he’s been
tormenting his family and friends with the instrument ever since.
LEAVING, TX LIVE
LEAVING, TX comes to play… Their setlist varies with each show but would include mostly originals which the band can choose from over 75 Chris Patterson penned tunes along with a handful of covers that the band has reinvented to become “Leaving Texified”. The band is engaging and entertaining and highly energetic. With the amount of songs in the groups repertoire they can easily adjust their setlist during a show to fit the audience that is watching it.
Band Members
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