The
magnificently indefinable Asylum Street Spankers began in 1994
during a booze and hallucinogen-fueled party at the Dabbs Hotel in
Llano, Texas. There Christina Marrs met Wammo. During a night spent
singing and playing along the banks of the Llano River they
discovered a shared love for early 20th century music. Upon
returning to Austin they gathered a few like-minded pals and began
playing free shows at clubs and busking around town.
Within a year they conquered Austin, playing three SRO weekly residencies, including the city’s first Gospel Brunch. In 1997 the band began venturing out into the wider world. Since then, Christina and Wammo have pushed their ever-evolving troupe from country blues revivalism toward original compositions, new works for the stage and sociopolitical commentary.
Regular touring throughout Europe, Japan and the states has established the Asylum Street Spankers as an underground institution, widely considered one of the best live acts working today. Their discography includes ten albums, including, What? And Give Up Show Biz? a two disk live document of the group's two week stand at New York's Barrow Street Theatre, and Mommy Says No!, one of the most honored family oriented releases of 2007.
The Spankers are generally available for concerts in North America, Europe and Japan. Available shows include: a club and theater concert for mature audiences, a "kids concert" for general audiences, a festival set for general audiences, and their stage production, "What? And Give Up Show Biz?" for mature audiences. Contact John Riedie for bookings.
Within a year they conquered Austin, playing three SRO weekly residencies, including the city’s first Gospel Brunch. In 1997 the band began venturing out into the wider world. Since then, Christina and Wammo have pushed their ever-evolving troupe from country blues revivalism toward original compositions, new works for the stage and sociopolitical commentary.
Regular touring throughout Europe, Japan and the states has established the Asylum Street Spankers as an underground institution, widely considered one of the best live acts working today. Their discography includes ten albums, including, What? And Give Up Show Biz? a two disk live document of the group's two week stand at New York's Barrow Street Theatre, and Mommy Says No!, one of the most honored family oriented releases of 2007.
The Spankers are generally available for concerts in North America, Europe and Japan. Available shows include: a club and theater concert for mature audiences, a "kids concert" for general audiences, a festival set for general audiences, and their stage production, "What? And Give Up Show Biz?" for mature audiences. Contact John Riedie for bookings.
photo by Todd
Williams
clockwise from bottom left: Wammo, Charlie King, Christina Marrs, Morgan Patrick Thompson, Famous Jake, Nevada Newman, Mark Henne
clockwise from bottom left: Wammo, Charlie King, Christina Marrs, Morgan Patrick Thompson, Famous Jake, Nevada Newman, Mark Henne
photo by Justin
Fox Burks
clockwise from bottom left: Christina Marrs, Famous Jake, Charlie King, Nevada Newman, Wammo, Mark Henne
clockwise from bottom left: Christina Marrs, Famous Jake, Charlie King, Nevada Newman, Wammo, Mark Henne
What? And
Give Up Show Biz? album
cover
11" by 17"
SausageFest 2009 tour poster
WHAT? AND GIVE UP SHOW BIZ?
MOMMY SAYS NO!
MERCURIAL
MY FAVORITE RECORD
A CHRISTMAS SPANKING
SPANKER MADNESS
HOT LUNCH
SPANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
In January, 2008, the Spankers set up shop for two weeks at New York's Barrow Street Theatre. Juicing their acclaimed live show with a double shot of theatricality, the Spankers interwove tales of the ups and downs of life on the road with favorite songs old and new. The shows were recorded, edited and released as a two CD set. The stage production is available for theatrical bookings and an Austin remount is planned for 2009.
Produced by JP Riedie, released September 2008.
Produced by Wammo, released 2007.
This text will be replaced by the flash music
player.
Covers from 1898 to 1989 recorded live to two-track tape.
Produced by Brian Beattie, released March 2004.
A beautifully produced studio album containing many of the Spankers’ most enduring songs. Produced by David Leroy Biller and Wammo, released September 2002.
Produced by Christina Marrs, JP Riedie & Wammo, released October 2001.
Produced by David Leroy Biller, released March 2000.
Produced by Bob Brozman and Daniel Thomas, released February 1999.
This text will be replaced by the flash music
player.
Produced by Danny Barnes, released September 1996.