Texas

From The Bottom

The band Texas formed in 1986 in Glasgow, initially with a headstrong 18 year old, Sharleen Spiteri, and musically experienced bassist Johnny McElhone, who, after hearing Sharleen's distinctive vocal skills, became eager to showcase their talents as a band. Texas filled out with guitarist Ally McErlaine and Stuart Kerr kept the beat. After some song writing between Sharleen and Johnny, the new band decided it was time to perform live. March 1988 saw their debut performance at the Dundee University Students Association, with Sharleen's unique voice and Ally's slide guitar skills attracting the most attention.

Hitting The Charts

After signing a record deal with Mercury, Texas released their first single entitled 'I Don't Want A Lover' in February 1989, featuring the sliding guitar techniques that both Sharleen and Ally boasted, accompanied by a definitive bassy drum beat. This single announced the band's presence to the music world, landing them the number 8 position and clearing the way for their debut album. 'Southside' was released in late '89, achieving double platinum status and reaching number 3 in the UK album charts.

1991 saw the replacement of drummer Stuart Kerr with Richard Hynd and the release of their second album that September, 'Mothers Heaven'. Unfortunately, this album didn't match the success of their debut album, but they attracted enough attention to warrant a world tour. Texas' third album 'Ricks Road', named after the road leading to the recording studio that they used as well as, in the past, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, was released in November 1993 and was their most unsuccessful album chart-wise, though it is now recognised as possibly one of their best albums.

Blast From The Past

After lying low for a few years, performing at small venues and holding a low profile, Texas tentatively returned to the recording studio in '96 to work on a new album. After featuring on Chris Evans' 'TFI Friday' TV show and the response from a few private 'test-the-water' gigs, Texas blew everyone away with a new look focused more on Sharleen as frontwoman and the release of their massive hit album 'White On Blonde' in '97. This album hit the UK charts at number 1 and produced 4 Top 10 hit singles in the form of 'Say What You Want', 'Halo', 'Black-Eyed Boy' and 'Put Your Arms Around Me'.

They kept the surprises coming in 1999 with the release of 'The Hush', an album rich in varied musical styles and experimentation featuring the singles 'In Our Lifetime', 'Summer Son' and 'When We Are Together'.

Drummer Richard Hynd was succeeded by Mykey Wilson, followed by a variety of new drummers through the band's remaining history. 2000 saw the release of a 'Greatest Hits' compilation, featuring previously unreleased singles 'In Demand', 'Inner Smile' and 'Guitar Song'.

An album tour began in February of 2001, followed by the announcement that the band would take a break to focus on other things. 'Careful What You Wish For' was released in October of 2003, consisting of a more dance orientated sound with some unusual inputs in style.

Onwards And Upwards

2005 saw the release of 'Red Book', a reflective album of the times the band has spent together and the progressions they have made during that time. Featuring the single 'Sleep' and entering the album charts in the Top 40, it is rumoured to be the best album since 'Southside' and 'Ricks Road'. Texas have proved that sparks still fly when they hit the recording studio and will hopefully continue to do so.

Albums

• Careful What You Wish For
• White On Blonde
• Red Book
• Greatest Hits
• Mother's Heaven
• Ricks Road
• Southside
• The Hush

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