Live Review – Wheeler Walker Jr. in Austin, TX
WARNING: Some language
It says a lot about where country music is, and where Wheeler Walker Jr. is going, that his show at Austin’s new Grizzly Hall was one of the most highly-anticipated country shows in Austin in months. Bloggers, radio DJ’s, and even Texas country artist Sam Riggs turned out to see what all of the hype was about surrounding the country’s newest raunch artist. It’s the unlikely story of an unusual act that has all of a sudden become one of the hottest names in independent country.
This is just Wheeler Walker Jr.’s debut tour, yet numerous dates have been sold out in decent-sized venues across the country. Austin, TX could not muster such a distinction, and wasn’t helped by the fact that the show fell on a Sunday, and Father’s Day on top of that, and that Wheeler was competing with the NBA Game 7 finals. But there was still a hefty crowd in attendance.
Grizzly Hall occupies a building that for a short period was the home of Antone’s—one of Austin’s most legendary and long-standing blues venues. After unsuccessfully trying to get a regular crowd to thrive in Austin’s burgeoning southeast quadrant, Antone’s moved back downtown while the space that’s now Grizzly Hall became a short-lived mega sports bar. Only two projector televisions remained from the venue’s previous life, and as the Golden State Warriors unsuccessfully tried to mount a comeback Sunday evening, a mix of rednecks and garden variety Austin freaks filed into the facility retrofitted with rough-hewn cedar planks and taxidermied mounts standing guard along the walls.
The first thing that greets you as you walk into the door of the venue is a massive stuffed grizzly bear behind glass. If any of Grizzly Hall’s accoutrements will entice Austin’s fickle public to frequent the establishment any more than the fleet of flat screens from the failed sports bar remains to be seen. But it certainly was fit environs for a country show.
As hard as it might be to imagine, Wheeler Walker Jr. may have not been the most raunchy performer of the night. Opening for the comedian turned country artist was the female duo of Jasmin Kaset and Makenzie Green known as Birdcloud. They’ve been making their own noise and testing local decency ordinances with their two-woman show. As ribald as the sexual escapades of Wheeler Walker Jr. may come across, think about what it sounds like coming from two women. But that’s sort of the point of Birdcloud—to push the envelope and defile mores by singing about many of the things men imply, but women are supposed to steer clear of.
The songs are funny and entertaining, while also asserting a very deliberate agenda of nonconformity and equality through desensitization. The trouble with Birdcloud is their vocal tunings are delivered through close approximations, and their novice strumming of chords doesn’t help to bolster their musical appeal. Don’t misunderstand, they know what they’re presenting is harsh and unrefined. That’s the point. But when watching them live, sometimes you can’t even understand the words because the approach is so slapdash, including screeching and screaming at times. This is the exact opposite of what another female duo known for their off-color content called Folk Uke utilizes. It didn’t help that Grizzly Hall’s sound was muddy all night, especially for vocals, as the sound guy kept one eye on some WWE event all night in the sound booth.
Bircloud’s set ends (spoiler alert) with one girl playing a harmonica strapped near the other girl’s crotch. It’s about as close as you’ll see to female on female oral sex on stage. As an attempt to shock and push limits, it’s certainly effective. But the question that lingers is if their efforts to push limits are taken seriously enough, or can even be understood. Just a bit more effort without ruining the wild-assed approach of the presentation would make this a much more appealing act.
Extra effort at doing it right was exactly what was presented when Wheeler Walker Jr. took the stage. With a professional, hot shit country band from Nashville, and a top notch, tight presentation, Ben Hoffman gave no hints that he was a comedian turned musician. It wasn’t just that he sang his own songs. He participated in complex harmonies with the band, and played solid rhythm guitar. This was not just some country act that leaned only on the appeal of smutty lyrics, this was a full blown traditional country show that would rival any other in the tightness of instrumentation.
Wheeler Walker Jr.’s set was fairly short, which is to be expected from an act touring behind their first record. To fill out the set, Wheeler also played the slowed-down version of Waylon Jennings’ “Outlaw Shit,” and a country version of “Bitch Better Have My Money.” Sam Riggs joined Wheeler Walker on stage to add harmonies to the song “Better Off Beating Off,” and Walker encored with the namesake of his current tour “Eatin’ Pussy, Kickin’ Ass.”
The banter from the stage was just as much a part of the presentation as anything, with the City of Houston, which Wheeler played the evening before, bearing the brunt of the jokes. “It’s good to be back in civilization!” Wheeler shouted, apparently having a rough night before, and having endured public run ins with the local alternative newsweekly, The Houston Press. The Game 7 win by the Cleveland Cavaliers also came up often. Walker had delayed his set until after the final buzzer had sounded. “You’ve seen the greatest basketball player,” Wheeler said in reference to LeBron James. “Now you’ve seen the greatest country singer ever.”
The success of Wheeler Walker Jr. is a testament to how well he understands how to troll the right people, and how a vast hole in the traditional country marketplace remains, despite the recent success of Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton. “How about that?” Wheeler said after one song. “Makes Sam Hunt look like some pussy shit!” Right before the final song of the set, a group of guys at the front of the stage were chanting “Fuck Sam Hunt! Fuck Sam Hunt!”
Where things like Sturgill Simpson’s new record and Chris Stapleton only present close approximations to the red meat needed to feed the angry country music traditionalist, Wheeler Walker Jr. knows how to whip them into a frenzy, even if it’s hard to define where the act ends, and the true vitriol for today’s country begins for Walker. But he’s tapped into the energy that has propelled acts like Whitey Morgan and Dale Watson to rabid followings, while also bringing in a wide swath of people from the comedic element.
Where Wheeler Walker Jr. goes from here is anyone’s guess. Will Ben Hoffman’s passion for the bit hold out for a second album and subsequent tours? If so, next time he rolls through Austin, he might be selling out Stubb’s or headlining at ACL Live like his buddy Sturgill Simpson did on his way to the top. And it’s not just because Ben showed some skills at writing dirty country songs, and a savviness to gain attention for himself through social media. It’s because the appetite for something real in country is so voracious and unsatiated that even an act that everyone knows is fake is still more real, resonant, and true to country music fans than what’s on the radio.
Wheeler Walker Jr. is part of this whole insurgent country movement whether he wants to be or not. And at the present moment, he might be leading it.
Stringbuzz
June 21, 2016 @ 11:47 am
Sounds like you enjoyed yourself. I’m going to see him Thursday.
The weird thing, My wife actually loves this album.. I am doomed!! HA
Net couple weeks are going to be good..
This show, Trombone Shorty, Austin Lucas with Matt Wood..
WestTexasRain
June 21, 2016 @ 11:56 am
Who would of thought a vulgar comedian turned Country Music singer would be a hero to NeoTraditional Country.Hell Look at his Twitter page people who never listened to Country Music before heard him ad got into Country music.
Bertox
June 21, 2016 @ 12:13 pm
I haven’t caught a show from this guy yet, but I hope to. I go see the Beaumonts every chance I get, and they are very raunchy, and very country. And very entertaining, in my opinion. I’m glad WWJ is catching on, and I’m glad SCM is documenting it. Otherwise, I’d have never heard of him.
Jim Bob
June 21, 2016 @ 12:17 pm
I love that the guy comes out of nowhere and puts out a great traditionally country album (vulgar and obscene, sure-but fuck it, I love the album)…and it’s WAY better than the shit coming from the jackasses lining music row who’ve spent their whole lives working at it.
And also, fuck Sam Hunt
Brian
June 21, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
I was so pissed that I forgot about this show and didn’t go.
Jeb Barry
June 21, 2016 @ 12:45 pm
He’s still a poser
Jim Z
June 21, 2016 @ 6:36 pm
the Donald Trump of country music.
Jared S
June 22, 2016 @ 6:17 am
I know, right? I must just be missing the joke, because so many people I respect seem to love WWJr. But I just don’t get it. All I hear is somebody trying to get people excited and angry by using inflammatory language. Sounds an awful lot like Trump.
Jody
June 21, 2016 @ 12:46 pm
I saw them a couple of weeks ago in Bloomington, Indiana. His band is awesome. I told Wheeler that the pedal steel player deserved a raise. He quickly replied, “Don’t fuckin’ tell him that.”
Matty T
June 21, 2016 @ 1:15 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Trig but I’m going to throw what may be an unpopular opinion out there: WWJ’s music sucks and he isn’t even close to funny. I gave him a fair chance but the whole schtick is just…bad.
Trigger
June 21, 2016 @ 1:39 pm
I don’t think that’s an unpopular opinion at all. He’s a pretty polarizing act, which can only be expected for the nature of the material. Either you love him, or hate him. But what can’t be argued is that he’s got a very real groundswell behind him that has implications in country music. Margo Price played Saturday Night Live and Colbert, and doesn’t have half the following Wheeler Walker Jr. does. I don’t know what to make of any of it or where it’s going to lead, but it’s definitely something I feel obligated to pay attention to.
Matty T
June 21, 2016 @ 4:56 pm
I completely understand covering it. I’ve never seen a country parody artist get this kind of response in my lifetime. It’s very intriguing. And speaking of Margo Price, in a perfect world she would be the one getting this kind of recognition but that’s probably another discussion for another day.
Rita Ballou
June 21, 2016 @ 1:46 pm
I’m not a DJ, I’m an “on air personality”…
Ha! It was fun. Good to see you.
Blackwater
June 21, 2016 @ 5:56 pm
Wwj is tongue in cheek and good for a laugh. I think the music is outstanding, but the lyrics grow tiresome. I broke him out at a poker game and everyone loved him and I was getting texts the next day asking for his name again. I don’t know if he can make multiple albums, but who knows. I wish him well… country doesn’t have to be so serious!
Birdcloud though, ugh. Yes, they’re funny and push the limits but the music and talent is just not there.
I wonder when trig is going to acknowledge he’s a member of the Boomswagglers??
Trigger
June 21, 2016 @ 9:08 pm
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/charter/
Blackwater
June 21, 2016 @ 9:11 pm
Yup, i know where you’re getting at… I’m wondering if you know what I’m getting at….
Bigfoot is Real (lonesome, on'ry, and mean)
June 22, 2016 @ 6:05 am
The thing is that he’s essentially a comedian and reliant on jokes. First time you hear a joke its funny. Second time reminds you it was funny. Third time still kinda funny. Forth time, its time for a new joke. Fifth, dude please, we’ve heard it.
Jody Hendrix
June 22, 2016 @ 8:15 am
He’s a walking WHPC meme. People are hungry for real country and this guy could see that, so he made something that resembled real country. While I fight on the same side of the argument he’s posing, it’s sad that this guy is the one blowing up. There are a lot of real acts out there at live it day in day out. This guy is just a character.. An unfunny Unknown Hinson. In fact, I’d love to hear what Jim Baker thinks of this guy.
63guild
June 22, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
hes got a legit band and yeah the lyrics can rub some people the wrong way, but he respects what country was and could be. Listen to his podcast with Joe Rogan.
J.
June 23, 2016 @ 9:59 am
He’s country’s 2 live crew.
Pool
June 24, 2016 @ 6:55 am
Birdcloud is.. some kind of Reformed Whores knock-off?
Stringbuzz
June 24, 2016 @ 7:39 am
I saw WW Jr last night and Birdcloud.
Yes. You either love it or hate it.
Trigger, I 100% understand the tone of your review now.
What an odd phenomenon he has become.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I would go see him again.
It is just weird.
Walker was very approachable friendly as was his band (that band can play) and Birdcloud.
Adam T.
June 24, 2016 @ 4:53 pm
I saw WWJr a few weeks ago in MN. It was a weekday show, but I made a point to go see him because I’m not sure if there will be a second album or another tour. While I was expecting a bit more from his live show, as far as tom foolery and shenanigans, I was fairly impressed. I was most impressed with his band. Like Trigger said, the tightness and quality of the players. I’m not sure that I would see him again, especially if the ticket prices go up next time around, but he’s worth checking out at least once. Sure, the lyrics can be crass and cheesy at times, but traditional country doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. Not sure if it was mentioned here or earlier, but Hoffman did an interesting interview with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast. He did the interview as himself, and not WWJr character, so it offers a little insight into his motivations and actual appreciation for traditional country.
I couldn’t agree more about Birdcloud, although I think you went a little light on them. I found their vocals grating at best. The anti smoking laws here, combined with the fact that I went alone, meant that I chose to suffer through their set rather than lose my prime spot at the bar to go outside for a smoke and an aural reprieve. The cadence of their songs is almost identical for every song. I saw them a few years ago when they opened for Nashville Pussy. I would have thought in those few years, that they would’ve learned to play and write a little more proficiently. I get what they’re trying to do, honestly. But their songs are crude not clever. I personally didn’t find any of it offensive, so maybe I’m not their audience. I can only assume that all of their “artistic” efforts are put into simply offending and not the music itself. I could see how certain segments of the population would be offended. I also saw several people a table near me that were infatuated with them. One particularly young couple left after their set and skipped WWJr, so I assume that they’re Birdcloud fans and came just for them. Part of me wonders if they would have the same level of success if they weren’t a couple of pretty young white girls that just say c0ck a lot? Maybe it’s just my growing up with punk rock, so it didn’t seem edgy or new to me. I don’t know, clearly they have fans, so maybe I’m the one missing it. Or, like I said, it’s not made for me and I’m not their audience.