For Mike Wiebe, vocalist for Denton,
Texas punk act The Riverboat Gamblers, it was never
about making a shit ton of money. “We never went in with
the attitude of, Yeah, we’re gonna start a band, and we’re
gonna make it man!!” Wiebe says in his most campy
voice. “It was more of a realization of, like ‘wow I guess
we’re doing this full time now.’” The realization came on
slowly like a hang over. The RBG have been around since
2000 but they didn’t really take it too seriously until 2004.
“We were just kind of a house party band before then.” Wiebe
says.
By 2004 Wiebe and company took their act to the next level
in the only way they knew how to, in true DIY fashion,
producing their own 7” single Jenna is a No Show. The show
went on, The Gamblers simply traded the dive bars and house
parties of Texas for the rest of the country. “Touring has never
been a big deal for us. We did it gradually. One year, we toured
a week, then the next year we toured three weeks, and now we
tour half the year if not more.” Wiebe says.
When it was time to record a full length they couldn’t have
picked a better candidate, Austin Punk legend Tim Kerr, whose
resume includes Big Boys, Death Valley and Jack O’Fire, who
produced their debut record released on Vile Beat Records.
Despite major label interest, The Gamblers released their
sophomore record Something to Crow About through the
Texas punk act The Riverboat Gamblers, it was never
about making a shit ton of money. “We never went in with
the attitude of, Yeah, we’re gonna start a band, and we’re
gonna make it man!!” Wiebe says in his most campy
voice. “It was more of a realization of, like ‘wow I guess
we’re doing this full time now.’” The realization came on
slowly like a hang over. The RBG have been around since
2000 but they didn’t really take it too seriously until 2004.
“We were just kind of a house party band before then.” Wiebe
says.
By 2004 Wiebe and company took their act to the next level
in the only way they knew how to, in true DIY fashion,
producing their own 7” single Jenna is a No Show. The show
went on, The Gamblers simply traded the dive bars and house
parties of Texas for the rest of the country. “Touring has never
been a big deal for us. We did it gradually. One year, we toured
a week, then the next year we toured three weeks, and now we
tour half the year if not more.” Wiebe says.
When it was time to record a full length they couldn’t have
picked a better candidate, Austin Punk legend Tim Kerr, whose
resume includes Big Boys, Death Valley and Jack O’Fire, who
produced their debut record released on Vile Beat Records.
Despite major label interest, The Gamblers released their
sophomore record Something to Crow About through the
San Francisco label Gearhead Records.
With the strong momentum of Something to Crow, The Gamblers smug
mugs were plastered all through the pages of Spin, Alternative Press and
Revolver. In between getting press based solely on their music, being
hailed as the next big thing in 2006, they were getting press for their
constant visits to emergency rooms, not to mention constantly canceling
shows due to those very visits. When Wiebe isn’t climbing rafters or
Marshall stacks bronchitis and all like he did at 2007’s SXSW performance
he’s taking out band members. Who can forget the picture of Mr. Lillard
plastered all over the internet with his bloody face and all front teeth
bashed out, after taking a microphone to the face. “Yeah I did that.”
Wiebe admits. “I was swinging the microphone and it caught him in the
face.” He says as he looks down in shame a bit. But it’s all worth it after all
it’s all about the live show right? “It’s all part of the show man! Give
people what they pay for.” [End.]
With the strong momentum of Something to Crow, The Gamblers smug
mugs were plastered all through the pages of Spin, Alternative Press and
Revolver. In between getting press based solely on their music, being
hailed as the next big thing in 2006, they were getting press for their
constant visits to emergency rooms, not to mention constantly canceling
shows due to those very visits. When Wiebe isn’t climbing rafters or
Marshall stacks bronchitis and all like he did at 2007’s SXSW performance
he’s taking out band members. Who can forget the picture of Mr. Lillard
plastered all over the internet with his bloody face and all front teeth
bashed out, after taking a microphone to the face. “Yeah I did that.”
Wiebe admits. “I was swinging the microphone and it caught him in the
face.” He says as he looks down in shame a bit. But it’s all worth it after all
it’s all about the live show right? “It’s all part of the show man! Give
people what they pay for.” [End.]
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