In Austin, Texas there’s a brand new band that is grabbing the attention of everyone that sees and hears them. Often described as proto-punk by people, they are also equally described as just straight forward rock & roll. Their songs are all original but you can hear their decades of influences laced throughout material. Their sound is big and full, yet the drummer doesn’t play gratuitous fills (he doesn’t even use a rack tom), the guitar player (also the lead vocalist) doesn’t play solos in any more than three of their songs, nor does he play through a Marshall half stack, he’s using Fender tube amps, and the bass player keeps the songs driving like a freight train with well thought out melodies that are equal parts Paul McCartney and Dee Dee Ramone.

The band’s origins start on the west coast and east coast and now have firmly planted roots in Austin. Rick Watson (bass) grew up in rural Louisiana and then spent years in New York City before coming to Austin where he has manned the low-end for the likes of Hot Water, Jesse Dayton, Ruby Dee and The Snakehandlers, Palomino Shakedown and surf band The Boss Jaguars. Scotty Roller (guitar and vocals) comes from Anaheim, California by way of Reno, Nevada where he co-founded and spent 20 years in the irreverent cowpunk band The Saddle Tramps. Juan Gutierrez came from the city of Watts in Los Angeles, California before settling in Austin. Juan logged years in Blockage, Knucklebutt, StrangeGun and The Sore Losers.

The Black Birds continue to win crowds over with their energetic shows that don’t rely on any gimmicks, props or costumes. Their mission in performing live is to deliver a non-stop set of blistering, hook-drenched rock songs and to have the same fun on stage as the crowds are having in the audience. An infectious objective witnessed and subscribed to by scores of new fans made on their recent short tour with L.A. rock veterans Junkyard in 2021.