‘Spreading the Good Vibe’: New Orleans’ Finest ‘Cowboy Mouth’ to Play for U.S. Troops in Iraq, Kuwait
by Andrew BreitbartMemo to all active duty servicemen and women stationed in Kuwait and Iraq: An amazing musical group and an almost surreal positive live musical experience is coming to a theater near you.
According to the Times-Picayune, New Orleans-based Cowboy Mouth will be coming to Iraq and Kuwait for two and a half weeks in the beginning of March. This is not PR puffery. This is a direct order: See Cowboy Mouth when they come to your base. There are no excuses. And send your photos — I will post them at Big Hollywood.
Back in my college days in New Orleans (’87-’91) I took advantage of the city’s historic music venues (Tipitina’s, Storyville, etc.), the cheap drinks and cover prices, not to mention the great bands born from that vibrant, otherworldly and unpredictable culture. In 1990 my friend Chris Huston was working for the local music magazine, Wavelength, and informed me that the locally famous former drummer of Dash Rip Rock (still a Southern-fried country-punk bar band without peer) was starting a new band and would be playing at the now defunct Jimmy’s on Willow Street.
His name is Fred LeBlanc, and he is a bona fide rock and roll evangelical. All that have seen him perform will testify. Some call him “The Drummer Man.” No one in music makes more effort to ensure his fans and newcomers are not just entertained but changed for life. If you thought you sweat a lot in Ramadi, you have something special coming your way. Yes, they’re that good.
Also in Cowboy Mouth for the long haul is a grand veteran of the New Orleans rock scene, John Thomas Griffith. His Red Rockers toured with U2 in the early ‘80. “China” is one of the best songs from early MTV, and sometimes even Cowboy Mouth gives it a go.
Not mentioned in the Times-Picayune article, but contained in an accompanying audio interview with LeBlanc, the Tazmanian drummer explains why he is taking Cowboy Mouth halfway around the world to perform for American’s valiant fighting men and women:
“Those guys and girls over there get the short end of the stick media-wise over here. And these people are putting their lives on the line. And if it will make them feel better for me to show up to play for an hour and a half, it’s the least I can do. Not to sound corny or anything, it’s the United States of America. Whatever your political affiliations are, this is our country and we’ve got to do what little bit we can to help these people who go out and basically preserve all the liberties and freedoms we take for granted.”
Glad to see Cowboy Mouth not only still kicks ass but also has its priorities straight.
[Here's where you lowly civilians can catch them when they get back from Iraq. I'll be catching them with a big Big Hollywood contingency at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on May 21.]
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55 Comments
But is Paul Sanchez playing with them?
Paul left the band over a year ago.
That is wonderful news. The troops are in for a treat! Cowboy Mouth puts on a show (as did Dash Riprock – always think of them when I see pictures of Bowheads) Fred LeBlanc is a wild man! I remember the first time I heard "Home." If that song doesn't sum up what is was like being in exile after Katrina, I do not know what does.
It's a relief to see someone from New Orleans doing something productive instead of whining about how the government failed them.
I haven't been back to New Orleans since 1994. And I'm scared to see it in greater peril than when I left her. It was always on the verge of a full scale disaster, and in many ways, was already a shocking juxtaposition of progress, debauchery, blight and dismay. But if Cowboy Mouth and Dash Rip Rock were to play the same week, I'd certainly have to go. (Anyone remember "Tribe Nunzio"? A beautiful act that made Cafe Brazil feel like home. Had quite the crush on Holden, the transfixing lead singer.)
Cowboy Mouth is terrible.
Yeah, eff those whiny punks who lost their homes or were stuck in filth for days while they waited for someone to save them. They should just shut up and die already.
I respectfully disagree
I disagree with my face
I go to any lengths to see this band……They're awesome live!
Lucky for me they will be at Summerfest(Milwaukee) at the same I was planning on going. I'll make sure to check them out.
Look, I am not saying that it didn't suck to have 8 feet of water in my house. It did, but who wants to be a professional victim?
In some ways New Orleans is a lot better. I used to write to people who wrote articles about how New Orleans was in such bad shape and how it was all Bush's fault, but no one is interested in the progress being made. Despite the fact that our mayor is an idiot, There are all sorts of positive things going on here. Mid City has come back better than before. The Palmer Park area has come back. There is a new charter high school that is very promising. You should come back to visit. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Drummer man sucks!
Should've checked out Easy (Voodoo Fest 2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T640FiyxVvY
OH My goodness – China. I can remember that song. Freshman year of highschool.
Same year the "Suburbs" – a new wave act from Minneapolis had "Love is the Law."
Two cool songs from the era of Regan. (That was when we could all tolerate Al Jorgensen of "Ministry" fame, when they were fun, not a drag.)
They just don't make em like they used to.
Who the f**k are you to give "direct orders" to our men and women in uniform? Figures that you would make light of military life. As a former Marine, I really resent you trying to speak for anyone other than your Chickenhawk elitist MSM buddies. This just proves your motives are no better than the liberals, you pathetic fraud.
Some friends of mine used to play with these guys. They're fun live. I'm not a big fan of their recorded material, but it's a good live show.
Cowboy Mouth Rocks. Fred is a wildman.
I've been fortunate to have worked a couple of gigs with them.
Glad to see they're doing what they can to help make our troops deployment less difficult.
Jenny says…
Who are you talking to and why are you so angry?
No, not them, GW, just you.
Yeah, that Demcratic Mayor and his then Democratic Governor. Good job Dems – 70 years of Dem rule in the Big easy and they did SUCH a good job of preparing for the inevitable. Kept New Orleanspretty poor now, didn't they.
Go away.
Hey Ron, from a Paratrooper, shut the eff up. I know of no "former" Marines. Just Marines. I believe you're a lib plant, otherwise, you'd know the talk, you dirty, nasty leg. I'll say it again: I BELIEVE YOU"RE A LIBERAL PLANT.
That wasn't even a "nice try."
Get bent. I'll speak for him and say "Go see em!"
Ahhh, Mr. Brietbart. Those were the days! I get a workout watching Fred perform. Bottom line: this is an opportunity to witness the soulful yet manic founders of Southern Cow Punk. I loved when Fred (with Dash Rip Rock) paired up with Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper, who were prescient when the delivered us the song, ""Bring Me the Head of David Geffen."
I hope to get to the show in L.A. in May -if I can escape the fascist borders of San Francisco.
Anyone who disagrees is a LIB now. Good to know, FASCIST.
I love Dash RipRock. I play 'Let's Go Smoke Some Pot' at the end of every show I mix for bands (at the clubs, of course, never corporate events). The only band I like more for being "out there" is Hayseed Dixie (the single coolest band ever).
"…while they waited for someone to save them."
Perhaps that was part of the problem?
Dash RR? The Red Rockers? Man, I feel ooollld! I have never experienced Cowboy Mouth, thanks for the heads up. May be just what this old chick needs for her 43rd b'day.
Fellow Tech? Cool.
Yeah Dash Rip Rock really, umm, smokes. Musically.
was lucky enough to run monitors for those guys a coupla years ago.
And I think I might actualy pay to work FOH for Hayseed Dixie. heh
Not trying to hijack the thread. But I did want to mention another Louisiana Band that performing for our troops stationed overseas.
Chris Gray & Graywolf.
They've done at least six weeks every year for the past 4 years.
I think last year was Kuwait and Qatar.
Chris is a Navy vet who was deployed during the (1st) Gulf war.
I think I'd be too frightened. Not my genre. I did a weekend at a major Indian convention (Bali), let's say that although I survived, some of the bigger stars were less than thrilled with my ear for sound. I learned the hard way, stick with what you know.
Then again, the 2nd tier touring acts are usually the coolest. I did the kickoff shows for two Local H tours, and they were the coolest, most polite and friendliest musicians I've ever worked with. I wouldn't have hesitated to go out on the road with them.
No, they suck.
I remember the first time I heard Cowboy Mouth. They were one of the openers at Memphis in May. I had never heard of them, but I thought I would listen anyway. Despite being followed by much bigger name bands, they stole the show.
Thanks Andrew for the Heads Up. This sounds like a band I'd like. Must investigate further. The IPOD could always use more music.
I guess it beats Kid Rock
"Jenny Says"…I forgot all about that song! Damn, they are good, Cowboy Mouth. I saw them in NOLA during Jazzfest 2001. Picked up two of their CDs after the show. Good to see them supporting our troops.
Never heard of them but now you give me a good reason to check them out.
http://the100mostannoyingthings.blogspot.com/
Andrew, I want to thank you for this site. It's my favorite site along with Drudge. Also, a salute to Cowboy Mouth for playing for the troops.
Cowboy Mouth started making the rounds in north Louisiana when I was in college at Louisiana Tech (1988-1992), and suffice to say they made a fan of me almost from the get-go. There is no more quintensential American rock band than these guys, and I'm glad to see they're supporting our troops. I saw them a few months back at a music festival in Monroe, and suffice to say they know how to work a crowd. If they'll just throw in the old Dash Rip Rock tune "Legacy" along with their standard playlist, then our troops are in for quite a show.
Dash Rip Rock were one of the greatest bands I ever saw live( saw them @ Raji's) and I played with Cowboy Mouth down in N.O.in my old band at the Howlin' Wolf. They were cool as hell.
This is so cool.
Then you must know and dig "ALL" – Allroys Revenge was a great album. I have a hard time with many of the bands today like Blink 182, or Fallout Boy etc….they all seem to just be doing "ALL"
A friend gave us free tickets to the opening night at the House of Blues in Houston a few months ago. I wasn't feeling well that night, my wife wanted to leave early etc. – we decided to stay for one song – one song and we're out of here. I've never gotten over a cold faster in my life. That one song lasted a couple of hours and we were begging for more. Best small venue band I've ever seen. Can't wait for next Tuesday at the HOB in Houston.
This is hilarious. There were three things in that guys paragraph that rang false to me, and I assumed he was lying, but I missed the most glaring one, the "former marine". Perfect.
CowBoy Mouth rocks! At one of their concerts a fight broke out up front among several people. They stopped the show pointed out the people fighting, scolded them for fighting and then lead the everyone in "Its a Small World".
Hey dragonash… Did you see them at Zydeco? Great show…
Which gets to my point: I hadn't seen Cowboy Mouth in about a decade and they haven't lost any of their energy, which is really saying something. The first two Dave Matthews shows I saw were free (!), but once they moved on from the small Southeast college circuit, the magic started to dwindle. (The more you pay to see them, the less you get, it seems.) But Cowboy Mouth still puts on a show that is unrivaled, regardless of what you think of the music. Some of their songs are decent enough, but they simply cannot be appreciated on your ipod. You have to see them. Be ready… as much as you might like to stand there with your arms folded judging the guitar player's licks, you won't be allowed. Not only does Fred stop the show until everyone gets involved, the show is upbeat and positive from beginning to end, and you leave feeling great!
You're referring to the Zydeco in B'ham on 20th St.? No, I missed them the last time they played there. I have seen some good bands at that place, though. There is a connection between Cowboy Mouth and the owners of Charlemange Records in Five Points, I believe.
I would if I could!
Flights into Louis Armstrong Intl. everyday!
LOL…yeah., I may have disappointed an act or two in my day also.
I don't have tons of experience mixing bluegrass (Hayseed Dixie), but I'd sure as hell give it a try!
I learned a long time ago, a band can only fire you once. OK, maybe twice
You from NOLA?
Meh. Different strokes.
You can stick to Air Supply & ABBA.
Any entertainer who will perform for the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, or anywhere else is all right by me!
Chicago. If I had a dime for every band that fired me at least twice…..
Then again, if I had a dime for every band I quit at least twice…..
Uh, no, not different strokes. That band eats it and likely so do you, Banks.
Yes, I remember Tribe Nunzio–until you mentioned them I hadn't thought of them in years. I can't believe you remember her name. One day I'll tell you the story of how I first met her and heard about Tribe Nunzio. I left the Crescent City 9 years ago for Portland, Oregon. I miss two things: the music and the food. Cowboy Mouth & Dash Rip Rock–two of my all time favorites. Do you remember "Woodenhead"?
Ah, the "plant" speaks. And like a LIB, you can't debate the facts, only call names.
Fascists, are Socialist, and I, Ron, am certainly no Socialist.
Funny how that works, eh? Yeah, like having to stomach Limp Bizkit after hearing Helmet or listening to RAM after hearing Cro Mags.
Exactly! I used to being into punk pretty heavy (until I wanted to start dating girls with full heads of hair) and then got into PsycoBilly – great music – like a edgy Rock-a-billy – Guana Batz, Tex and The Horseheads, Batmobile, etc….al great bands.
Now there are many that are just replicating those bands who music your parents would try and throw away.
Whatsamattah Dr W? Fred refuse to let you go down on him? Get over it. Holding a grudge is not good for ya.
Uh-huh. If I had those same dimes, I could retire.
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