“Texas blues is part of the truth. The truth in music blues is truth blues inspires blues history blues, and sadness. Blues is love blues is an ongoing story.”
Gary Myrick: Rock n’ Roll Lone (Blues) Star
Gary Myrick's journey as a musician began in the honky-tonks of Texas, where he first melded his rock roots with blues influences. Relocating to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, he formed Gary Myrick & The Figures, quickly becoming a staple in the burgeoning new wave scene with their debut hit, "She Talks in Stereo". The track not only showcased Gary's innovative guitar riffs but also highlighted his compelling vocal style, leading to national acclaim. Dallas-born Gary Myrick blended rootsy rock & roll with the energy and sensibility of new wave on several '80s albums and later made a surprising comeback in the late '90s. Myrick was playing around the Dallas/Fort Worth area with his own bands straight out of high school; in his early twenties, he moved to Austin to join a band called Kracker Jack, which featured two ex-members of Johnny Winter's band and whose guitarist (one Stevie Ray Vaughan) had recently quit. Myrick moved to California after a couple of years, and formed his own outfit called the Figures. They landed a deal with Epic and issued their debut album, Gary Myrick & the Figures, in 1980.
(Photo: Gary Myrick)
In 1991, Myrick joined former Clash bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Nigel Dixon (of the British rockabilly revival group Whirlwind) in a new band called Havana 3AM. Mixing Texas roots rock with punk flavor, the group recorded a self-titled debut and toured Europe, North America, and Japan. Gary’s latest 6-tracks EP is actually a re-release of earlier album “Bluestrash” in 2015. It contains a powerful version of “Big Boss Man” and a very unique interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction”, of course you’ll have gary originals in there as well.
Interview by Michael LimniosSpecial Thanks: Stacey Bonk (LAZZ Promotions)
How has the music influenced your views of the world? Currently you’ve one blues re-release titled “Bluestrash”. How did your relationship with the Blues come about?
I was born and raised in Texas. Dallas, Texas to be exact and if you really wanna get down to it, I’m a fifth generation Texan, how much of American blues originates from the south Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and of course Texas blues is quite famous. It’s something that is in the water. It’s in the food. It’s in the clothing on your backs. It’s in the flat land. It’s in some of the old houses, it's in the weather, that’s how it came about for me. It’s just part of me. Rock ‘n’ roll is a part of me. I haven’t done just only blues. It’s something that I’ve nurtured through my rock, albums, acoustic, albums, instrumentals, and vocal style. This part of my life I’ve embraced my love for blues…
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?
I describe my music as rock ‘n’ roll lyrical, sometimes a mixture of psychedelia and blues. I search for subject matter that inspires me and hopefully is a unique point of view.
Why do you think that Texas Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?
Texas blues is part of the truth. The truth in music blues is truth blues inspires blues history blues, and sadness. Blues is love blues is an ongoing story.
”I’ve been told many things by audiences and fans. I am very grateful for the love. I’ve been shown through the years that if I've made some people happy, if I've made some people smile, if I've inspired some people in any way I’m grateful.” (Photo: Gary Myrick, rootsy rock & roll with energy and sensibility)
Whichmeetings have been the most important experiences for you? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?
My music memories include... I’ve been extremely lucky when I was 16 by total accident, after seeing a show I met Jimi Hendrix in a hallway quite by accident. No one was around. He walked out of the door and I happened to just be standing there. We talked for about eight minutes. He was a very kind soul and was very nice to a young guitar player at 16. I’ll never forget that.
I was called on a Sunday and asked to come sit in with Stevie Wonder in the studio, not with a band just me playing guitar on some track for him. That was amazing.
I also got up on stage with Johnny Winter in Austin, Texas, and jammed. I’d been hired from my Dallas band to come down to Austin and replace Stevie Ray Vaughan who had been fired for some unknown reason from the band Krackerjack who was an original blues rock band. It was doing quite well in Austin. Uncle John Turner, a great blues drummer who had been with Johnny Winter in the Johnny Winter’s Trio and with Tommy Shannon started this band in Austin which was doing quite well. Uncle John came into the Cellar in Dallas where I was playing till five in the morning doing all my own material. It was called Gary Myrick and Slip of The Wrist. Uncle John walked up to me during a break and asked me if I would come to Austin and join up with the band Krackerjack and replace Stevie. I knew they were making good money and they were doing original music which is all I was interested in doing plus it helped me learn much more about the blues which I knew uncle John and Tommy had been doing for years already.
I’ve many amazing stories.... dinner one night with Joe Strummer, birthday party for Freddie Mercury at his house in London.
Was sitting in a restaurant in Los Angeles that was full out of nowhere. Chuck Berry walked through the crowd and zeroed in on me and as he passed me by he patted me on my shoulder. I viewed it as a blessing. Thank you Chuck, God bless you. There are many more, but these are some good ones.
”Rock ‘n’ roll is a part of me. I haven’t done just only blues. It’s something that I’ve nurtured through my rock, albums, acoustic, albums, instrumentals, and vocal style. This part of my life I’ve embraced my love for blues….” (Photo: Gary Myrick, his journey as a musician began in the honky-tonks of Texas)
Whatdo you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
As I look to the future, I just seek the truth. I wanna believe in what I do. I also love the history. I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old, inspired by my mother‘s encouragement. She said you’re creative. You need to play an instrument. I said what and she said Guitar I love Guitar. It shows what parents can mean it changed my life. It became my life‘s work. I’m very grateful to her. God bless her. The future just has to be sincere real music. Must be real. Tell it like it is, tell it like it is right now.
What has made you laugh from “Krackerjack and Cellar era”? You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and studios to open air festivals and juke joints. How do you navigate between these different worlds?
As far as navigating from different worlds of playing the dark cellar and Dallas in Fort Worth in my early 20s to larger concerts to recording with great artists Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, and many more. I just say my prayers and go for it. There’s love in my heart, I just wanna play and give it.
What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?
I’ve been told many things by audiences and fans. I am very grateful for the love. I’ve been shown through the years that if I've made some people happy, if I've made some people smile, if I've inspired some people in any way I’m grateful.
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
As I mentioned when I met Jimi Hendrix at age 16, his kindness meant everything. I’ll never forget that and always remember to be kind and listen to those that love my music or care about me as an artist. They mean a lot to me. I love fans and I love people who sincerely try to tell me it’s important love is forever and music can go along long away in time. I care about my fans sincerely thanks for the great questions.
Q&A with Texas based musician Gary Myrick, blended rootsy rock & roll and blues with energy and sensibility
by Music Network by Michael Limnios
on Thursday
“Texas blues is part of the truth. The truth in music blues is truth blues inspires blues history blues, and sadness. Blues is love blues is an ongoing story.”
Gary Myrick: Rock n’ Roll Lone (Blues) Star
Gary Myrick's journey as a musician began in the honky-tonks of Texas, where he first melded his rock roots with blues influences. Relocating to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, he formed Gary Myrick & The Figures, quickly becoming a staple in the burgeoning new wave scene with their debut hit, "She Talks in Stereo". The track not only showcased Gary's innovative guitar riffs but also highlighted his compelling vocal style, leading to national acclaim. Dallas-born Gary Myrick blended rootsy rock & roll with the energy and sensibility of new wave on several '80s albums and later made a surprising comeback in the late '90s. Myrick was playing around the Dallas/Fort Worth area with his own bands straight out of high school; in his early twenties, he moved to Austin to join a band called Kracker Jack, which featured two ex-members of Johnny Winter's band and whose guitarist (one Stevie Ray Vaughan) had recently quit. Myrick moved to California after a couple of years, and formed his own outfit called the Figures. They landed a deal with Epic and issued their debut album, Gary Myrick & the Figures, in 1980.
(Photo: Gary Myrick)
In 1991, Myrick joined former Clash bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Nigel Dixon (of the British rockabilly revival group Whirlwind) in a new band called Havana 3AM. Mixing Texas roots rock with punk flavor, the group recorded a self-titled debut and toured Europe, North America, and Japan. Gary’s latest 6-tracks EP is actually a re-release of earlier album “Bluestrash” in 2015. It contains a powerful version of “Big Boss Man” and a very unique interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction”, of course you’ll have gary originals in there as well.
Interview by Michael Limnios Special Thanks: Stacey Bonk (LAZZ Promotions)
How has the music influenced your views of the world? Currently you’ve one blues re-release titled “Bluestrash”. How did your relationship with the Blues come about?
I was born and raised in Texas. Dallas, Texas to be exact and if you really wanna get down to it, I’m a fifth generation Texan, how much of American blues originates from the south Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and of course Texas blues is quite famous. It’s something that is in the water. It’s in the food. It’s in the clothing on your backs. It’s in the flat land. It’s in some of the old houses, it's in the weather, that’s how it came about for me. It’s just part of me. Rock ‘n’ roll is a part of me. I haven’t done just only blues. It’s something that I’ve nurtured through my rock, albums, acoustic, albums, instrumentals, and vocal style. This part of my life I’ve embraced my love for blues…
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?
I describe my music as rock ‘n’ roll lyrical, sometimes a mixture of psychedelia and blues. I search for subject matter that inspires me and hopefully is a unique point of view.
Why do you think that Texas Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?
Texas blues is part of the truth. The truth in music blues is truth blues inspires blues history blues, and sadness. Blues is love blues is an ongoing story.
”I’ve been told many things by audiences and fans. I am very grateful for the love. I’ve been shown through the years that if I've made some people happy, if I've made some people smile, if I've inspired some people in any way I’m grateful.” (Photo: Gary Myrick, rootsy rock & roll with energy and sensibility)
Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?
My music memories include... I’ve been extremely lucky when I was 16 by total accident, after seeing a show I met Jimi Hendrix in a hallway quite by accident. No one was around. He walked out of the door and I happened to just be standing there. We talked for about eight minutes. He was a very kind soul and was very nice to a young guitar player at 16. I’ll never forget that.
I was called on a Sunday and asked to come sit in with Stevie Wonder in the studio, not with a band just me playing guitar on some track for him. That was amazing.
I also got up on stage with Johnny Winter in Austin, Texas, and jammed. I’d been hired from my Dallas band to come down to Austin and replace Stevie Ray Vaughan who had been fired for some unknown reason from the band Krackerjack who was an original blues rock band. It was doing quite well in Austin. Uncle John Turner, a great blues drummer who had been with Johnny Winter in the Johnny Winter’s Trio and with Tommy Shannon started this band in Austin which was doing quite well. Uncle John came into the Cellar in Dallas where I was playing till five in the morning doing all my own material. It was called Gary Myrick and Slip of The Wrist. Uncle John walked up to me during a break and asked me if I would come to Austin and join up with the band Krackerjack and replace Stevie. I knew they were making good money and they were doing original music which is all I was interested in doing plus it helped me learn much more about the blues which I knew uncle John and Tommy had been doing for years already.
I’ve many amazing stories.... dinner one night with Joe Strummer, birthday party for Freddie Mercury at his house in London.
Was sitting in a restaurant in Los Angeles that was full out of nowhere. Chuck Berry walked through the crowd and zeroed in on me and as he passed me by he patted me on my shoulder. I viewed it as a blessing. Thank you Chuck, God bless you. There are many more, but these are some good ones.
”Rock ‘n’ roll is a part of me. I haven’t done just only blues. It’s something that I’ve nurtured through my rock, albums, acoustic, albums, instrumentals, and vocal style. This part of my life I’ve embraced my love for blues….” (Photo: Gary Myrick, his journey as a musician began in the honky-tonks of Texas)
What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
As I look to the future, I just seek the truth. I wanna believe in what I do. I also love the history. I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old, inspired by my mother‘s encouragement. She said you’re creative. You need to play an instrument. I said what and she said Guitar I love Guitar. It shows what parents can mean it changed my life. It became my life‘s work. I’m very grateful to her. God bless her. The future just has to be sincere real music. Must be real. Tell it like it is, tell it like it is right now.
What has made you laugh from “Krackerjack and Cellar era”? You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and studios to open air festivals and juke joints. How do you navigate between these different worlds?
As far as navigating from different worlds of playing the dark cellar and Dallas in Fort Worth in my early 20s to larger concerts to recording with great artists Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, and many more. I just say my prayers and go for it. There’s love in my heart, I just wanna play and give it.
What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?
I’ve been told many things by audiences and fans. I am very grateful for the love. I’ve been shown through the years that if I've made some people happy, if I've made some people smile, if I've inspired some people in any way I’m grateful.
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
As I mentioned when I met Jimi Hendrix at age 16, his kindness meant everything. I’ll never forget that and always remember to be kind and listen to those that love my music or care about me as an artist. They mean a lot to me. I love fans and I love people who sincerely try to tell me it’s important love is forever and music can go along long away in time. I care about my fans sincerely thanks for the great questions.
Gary Myrick - Home
(Photo: Gary Myrick)