Stingray Jones And The Mad Men

by Charlie Sullivan

Texicana comes to Denver via Stingray Jones And The Mad Men. Dave Jones (bass, vocals), Glenn Esparza (guitar), Jay Ruybal (drums), and Mark Paulica (key boards, accordion) have teamed up to bring their brand of Honky-tonk Juke Joint music your way. The lads are grizzled veterans of the local and regional music scene who have been busy formulating a strategy to find an audience on the local scene. “I love the Texas music scene,” says Dave. “The outlaw-country music, songs with stories, little clubs where the crowd is dancing on the tables, bands that don’t know what they’re going to do next, it’s cool. We’re looking for our niche in Denver.” From what I’ve heard to date the crew shouldn’t have to look too far; they’re talented and know how to kick up their heels.

“We like playing our songs, and want people to hear them” affirms Dave. “We did a gig in Albuquerque and we were fired the first night for playing to many originals, the next night 400 hundred people were lined up outside this place to see us and the management had to tell them we wouldn’t be playing. Oh well, that’s their loss (laughing).”

Their music changes tempo with ease moving from jumped up pieces like “No Reason” or “Bad Girl” to “Hard Man” (a catchy country rocker ala Steve Earl) and then transitions into a much more subtle piece like “Golden Sky” that show- cases Glenn’s guitar work.

When the outfit is crafting their pieces they enjoy the distillation process; the art of turning it into something. “With the lyrics, I love the art of language,” relays Dave. “I like what it can do; tell stories, relay a feeling, things that people are in touch with.”  Dave teaches music and tries to convey accessing the abstract side of your mind; what does the music smell like. “The one thing about country music is that you can relay the bad things in life with your music and lyrics,” conveys Dave. “There has to be a place for ugliness, it’s part of life, you have to make room for it.”

On the state of country music today, the band isn’t too thrilled with what they’re hearing. And of the country kids in music today Dave says, “Don’t tell me how hard life is, come back and talk to me when you have some scars.” If this band stays the course, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing some kick-ass sounds down the road. Dave stated early on when we first talked that this is the best band, hands down, that he’s jammed with and that says all you need to know about the talent of this outfit. Keep your ears open for upcoming shows.

Category: Planet Buzz