Arc Angels
| Arc Angels | |
|---|---|
|
ARC Angels at Antone's in Austin, TX - South by Southwest (2009). Chris Layton, Doyle Bramhall II, Charlie Sexton (L - R). | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Blues-rock, Texas blues, Southern rock |
| Years active |
1990–1993, 2009–2010 (occasional appearances: 2002-2009) |
| Labels | Geffen |
| Associated acts | Doyle Bramhall II, Charlie Sexton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Double Trouble, Storyville |
| Members |
Doyle Bramhall II Charlie Sexton Chris Layton |
| Past members | Tommy Shannon |
Arc Angels were a blues rock band formed in Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. The band was composed of guitarist and singers Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton and two former members of Stevie Ray Vaughan's band Double Trouble, drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon. The 'Arc' in the band's name came from the Austin Rehearsal Complex where the band first started jamming.[1]
History
Their 1992 debut album, Arc Angels, met with critical approval and reached No. 127 on the Billboard chart. Arc Angels made their network television debut on the NBC show Late Night with David Letterman on June 9, 1992, performing "Living In A Dream". They performed on the show again on January 6, 1993, this time playing "Too Many Ways to Fall".
Bramhall's heroin addiction and internal friction caused the breakup of the band in 1993.[2] The Arc Angels broke up in October of that year, concluding their run with a series of farewell concerts at Austin's Backyard outdoor venue. Beginning in 2002, the Arc Angels reunited for occasional live performances.[3]
In recent years, Bramhall has played guitar in Eric Clapton's band and toured with Roger Waters. Charlie Sexton has toured with Bob Dylan. Meanwhile, Layton and Shannon have recorded three albums with the Texas soul quintet Storyville. They have also backed such artists as Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and John Mayer.
In March 2009, the members of Arc Angels, minus Shannon, announced that they would be reuniting, releasing a live album and DVD of concert footage/audio taken during 2005, touring extensively and beginning work on their second album.[4] The album/DVD "Living in a Dream" was released in 2009, containing live renditions of previously released Arc Angels songs, new songs performed live and three new studio tracks. The launch of their tour was at Austin's annual South by Southwest Festival. Although the band never officially broke up again, members pursued solo projects and there have been no talks about future Arc Angels releases or concerts to this date. In 2014 while on stage Bramhall referred to the Arc Angels as "this band I was in"[5] further cementing their demise.
Members
- Current members
- Doyle Bramhall II - guitar, vocals (1990-1993, 2009-2010)
- Charlie Sexton - guitar, vocals (1990-1993, 2009-2010)
- Chris Layton - drums (1990-1993, 2009-2010)
- Former members
- Tommy Shannon - bass (1990-1993)
- Touring members
- Mark Newmark - bass (2009-2010)
Discography
- Arc Angels (Geffen Records, 1992) US No. 127
- Living in a Dream CD/DVD (2009)
References
- ↑ According to Bob Meredith of Allmusic.
- ↑ Langer, Andy (2008-05-25). "Welcome Wagon". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ↑ Langer, Andy. "Living in a Dream". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ↑ "Arc Angels Fly Again". Billboard. 1990-08-27. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
- ↑ "Carry Me On - Doyle Bramhall II". YouTube. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-11-04.