While I appreciate Mitch and Ken admitting the ZZs to Newbury St., I find it remarkable that both of them levied the "boring" criticism at parts of Tres Hombres. This coming from two guys who will happily sit through a 47-minute version of "Not Fade Away", of which 46 minutes are spent repeating "You know my love will not fade away" over and over again. And yet, a 3-minute rocket ship like "Master of Sparks" fails to grab their attention.
I hated this band in the 80s. I hated the songs on Eliminator and the lame videos. Most of all, I hated their audience, having wandered into the midst of a group on College St one night as they poured out of a ZZ Top 'production' at Maple Leaf Gardens. I was in full rockabilly regalia and we just couldn't establish any common ground. I always thought the kids who liked southern rock were a sort of a sub species of the stoners (who liked Rush very much, this is Toronto in the 80s). They were meaner, dumber, and loathed anyone who looked they might like punk or anything that wasn't similar to Molly Hatchet. However! ZZ Top in the 70s is a whole other thing and Tres Hombres is a killer record. Great choice. 1974 - Band On The Run. Loved it as an 8 year old, still love it.
I like Tres Hombres, okay. It certainly beats the 80s. I mean, I didn't hate them in the 80s. But Tres Hombres is so much better because of the raw sound.
Honestly, I'm more partial to The Moving Sidewalks. Are you boys familiar with that Billy Gibbons pre-ZZ project?
Living in Texas, you really get to get “in deep” on everything. I will clarify that yes, Dallas is a bit bland, (Austin has its dot com bro culture which still confounds me, but looks like it’s on the way out) it’s just you haven’t found the dirty and gritty Dallas gems. And these gems reinforce what is the best of Texas. Like ZZ Top. And the first clutch of albums up to and including Deguello. They are the real deal. Much like the quest for the best BBQ and tacos. Don’t get me started on the essential-ness of Ranch Water, which I was thankfully introduced to in Austin. It’s all the real deal. (Like Gary Clark Jr.) essential for your soul. Like the Top!!
Sep 13, 2023·edited Sep 13, 2023Liked by CJ Kaplan
I wrote this as part of a larger article right after Dusty Hill, um, "moved on down the line." I think it still fits and I hope it's okay to cut-n-paste here.
"ZZ Top’s brand of rock and blues is not something you listen quietly. Nor in the small hours of the night (unless the party’s still going). It’s not melancholy; it’s celebratory. You don’t listen in a Prius- that’s a square peg in a round hole.
It feels like it only works in something with a V8. Their kind of music is not something you play to get over a breakup- it’s the soundtrack to adventure.
It’s the sound of being out on the water with friends. In this universe, it’s always sunny and usually in Texas or points south- hell, even Jesus left Chicago.
Always just a little randy and always dependable. The dirty jokes always come with a wink and smile.
Kinda like the dude on your block who’s always working on something in his garage. He might be a little sketchy, but you know he’d be the first one over the table to defend you in a bar fight."
###
As for this record, it's right there with "Eliminator" for my favorite by the band. I don't know much about BBQ, but I do know that this is my kinda mesquite-flavored blues rock.
P.S. Earlier quip aside, "Move Me On Down the Line" is a top 5 all-time fave of mine.
While I appreciate Mitch and Ken admitting the ZZs to Newbury St., I find it remarkable that both of them levied the "boring" criticism at parts of Tres Hombres. This coming from two guys who will happily sit through a 47-minute version of "Not Fade Away", of which 46 minutes are spent repeating "You know my love will not fade away" over and over again. And yet, a 3-minute rocket ship like "Master of Sparks" fails to grab their attention.
I hated this band in the 80s. I hated the songs on Eliminator and the lame videos. Most of all, I hated their audience, having wandered into the midst of a group on College St one night as they poured out of a ZZ Top 'production' at Maple Leaf Gardens. I was in full rockabilly regalia and we just couldn't establish any common ground. I always thought the kids who liked southern rock were a sort of a sub species of the stoners (who liked Rush very much, this is Toronto in the 80s). They were meaner, dumber, and loathed anyone who looked they might like punk or anything that wasn't similar to Molly Hatchet. However! ZZ Top in the 70s is a whole other thing and Tres Hombres is a killer record. Great choice. 1974 - Band On The Run. Loved it as an 8 year old, still love it.
I like Tres Hombres, okay. It certainly beats the 80s. I mean, I didn't hate them in the 80s. But Tres Hombres is so much better because of the raw sound.
Honestly, I'm more partial to The Moving Sidewalks. Are you boys familiar with that Billy Gibbons pre-ZZ project?
Living in Texas, you really get to get “in deep” on everything. I will clarify that yes, Dallas is a bit bland, (Austin has its dot com bro culture which still confounds me, but looks like it’s on the way out) it’s just you haven’t found the dirty and gritty Dallas gems. And these gems reinforce what is the best of Texas. Like ZZ Top. And the first clutch of albums up to and including Deguello. They are the real deal. Much like the quest for the best BBQ and tacos. Don’t get me started on the essential-ness of Ranch Water, which I was thankfully introduced to in Austin. It’s all the real deal. (Like Gary Clark Jr.) essential for your soul. Like the Top!!
I wrote this as part of a larger article right after Dusty Hill, um, "moved on down the line." I think it still fits and I hope it's okay to cut-n-paste here.
"ZZ Top’s brand of rock and blues is not something you listen quietly. Nor in the small hours of the night (unless the party’s still going). It’s not melancholy; it’s celebratory. You don’t listen in a Prius- that’s a square peg in a round hole.
It feels like it only works in something with a V8. Their kind of music is not something you play to get over a breakup- it’s the soundtrack to adventure.
It’s the sound of being out on the water with friends. In this universe, it’s always sunny and usually in Texas or points south- hell, even Jesus left Chicago.
Always just a little randy and always dependable. The dirty jokes always come with a wink and smile.
Kinda like the dude on your block who’s always working on something in his garage. He might be a little sketchy, but you know he’d be the first one over the table to defend you in a bar fight."
###
As for this record, it's right there with "Eliminator" for my favorite by the band. I don't know much about BBQ, but I do know that this is my kinda mesquite-flavored blues rock.
P.S. Earlier quip aside, "Move Me On Down the Line" is a top 5 all-time fave of mine.