Mike & The Moonpies Welcome New Drummer Ahead of Tour
When the most badass country band out there on the road makes a change in the lineup, it’s worth noting. Drummer Kyle Ponder has been there from the very beginning of Mike and the Moonpies, has played on all of their records, and has been the heartbeat of the band as they’ve gone from Austin’s honky tonk house band, to one of the most blazing live bands out there in the country space.
But the time has come for Mr. Ponder to move on. After a few fans noticed a strange face slapping the skins at some of their recent shows, including headlining KOKE’s SXSW showcase on the rooftop of The Blind Pig on Monday (3-14), frontman Mike Harmeier addressed the lineup change.
“I know a lot of y’all have noticed our drummer, Kyle Ponder, has been absent from our shows lately and we want to share with y’all that he has stepped away from Mike and the Moonpies. Kyle has been there from the beginning—I’m talking high-school-band-beginning. We’ve been doing this thing a long time together and he helped us build this band into what it is. Kyle is and always will be a brother to me and to the band and we love him and wish him all the best.”
No word on why Kyle Ponder has decided to step away, so let’s just throw the wild rumor out there that he’s currently in small arms/hand to hand combat training, and is flying to Ukraine to fight as a mercenary and leave it at that. But no matter what Kyle Ponder does next, he will have been the drummer of the band Saving Country Music has declared either the best or one of the best live acts in country music the last four years running.
So who is the newest Moonpie on the backline? His name is Taylor Englert, the band has announced. “Can’t say enough good things about this dude. Happy to have him tearing it up on the drums for us. Y’all help us welcome him to the Mike and the Moonpies family, the Moonpies say.
Taylor Englert may be familiar to some around the Austin area. He’s regularly drummed for the duo Mayeux & Broussard, as well as for Kathryn Legendre, and has appeared on the albums for both of those acts. A veteran of the Austin honky-tonk scene, he should fit right in with the vibe of Mike and the Moonpies.
Englert is also known for designing tour posters, T-shirts, and album covers. He designed the cover for Garrett T. Capps’ last album I Love San Antone, for example. So perhaps we’ll see him helping on the visual component of the Moonpies for the future. He joins Zach Moulton on steel guitar, Catlin Rutherford on lead guitar, and Omar Oyoque on lead bass and hair whips.
“I’ve looked up to Mike and the Moonpies since my band Mayeux & Broussard started opening for them in our early days of being a band. Always impressive. True pros. Great people,” says Englert. “We’re on our way up to Colorado currently and I’m still pinching myself. See y’all at the shows.”
See the upcoming Moonpies dates below.
March 16, 2022 @ 6:22 pm
Has anyone else noticed from pictures posted by fans on their Mockingbird FB fan page that no one is attending their shows? I know they like to keep that dance floor open at the foot of the stage, so at the very least no one is dancing at their shows. These latest shows look alarmingly light in attendees.
March 16, 2022 @ 6:41 pm
Maybe you should go to a show in person before making a dumb comment like that. Every show I’ve been to has been packed.
March 16, 2022 @ 6:53 pm
I’m the guy who said Mike and the Moonpies would fill the void left by The Turnpike Troubadours when they went on hiatus. I’m a fan and I attend shows. The pictures lately have been jarring. And it’s not just me. I just went back to look at a picture from their March 6th show and the first comment post is the following:
John Troyer
Where’s the crowd? No one at the stage? Very hard for me to SIT at a MMP concert!!!!🎶🤘😎🤘
March 17, 2022 @ 8:40 am
You’re just trying to stir the pot. What was the second comment on that?
March 18, 2022 @ 11:35 am
Oh yes, the controversial Mike and the Moonpies attendance pot. Maybe someone threw up on the dance floor and that’s the reason not one fan is in the picture. Scroll down to March 4th another venue and there are only four couples dancing on the dance floor.
I get we live in this era where if we don’t like what’s being said or reported, it’s fashionable to yell “fake news” or “stirring the pot,” but these are actual pictures and videos from shows.
March 16, 2022 @ 7:12 pm
I have not seen any of the photos on the Mockingbird Facebook page, but I continue to remain stupefied why this band isn’t playing bigger venues, and selling albums left and right like we’ve seen with other top flight independent country bands. In my opinion, Mike and the Moonpies are one of the best doing it, live and in the studio. Not to say they’re failing or anything, but I sure thought they would have caught more fire by now. All I know to do is to continue to tout them until the rest of the world catches onto what we all know around here.
March 16, 2022 @ 7:26 pm
I agree. It makes no sense to me.
One of the shows posted was at The Kenny Store in Kenny TX (outside of Houston). That show should be sold out and you can’t even see one fan this pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10227089987097015&set=gm.2208820482589467
March 16, 2022 @ 8:47 pm
Keep up the good work Mr. Trigger! You brought M&MP to my attention a few years back and I have become a huge fan. They ain’t coming through my town without me seeing them. To be honest, I have you to thank for my interest in the turnpike troubadours and whiskey Myers (among others) as well. For anyone reading this, Mike and the moon pies kicks ass and if there’s an empty seat at one of their shows, you’re just a dang idiot if you don’t buy it!
March 17, 2022 @ 6:57 am
IMO, they’re not as big as you think they should be because their writing isn’t that stellar. They’re still a great band tho.
What are hair whips?
March 17, 2022 @ 8:41 am
That’s an insane comment about their writing not being good.
March 17, 2022 @ 12:25 pm
I didn’t say it wasn’t good. I said it wasn’t stellar. Their writing isn’t bad, but they need to take it to the next level in order to become big leaguers who still out bigger venues.
Based on your comments here, I’d say you’re a little sensitive about these guys receiving criticism. It’s great to be passionate about an act, but you have to let others have their opinion.
March 18, 2022 @ 9:12 am
FGL never had to take their writing past a 2nd grade level to sell out arenas
March 17, 2022 @ 7:40 am
If its true or even if it is not true that The Moonpies are playing to underwhelming crowds at certain venues, maybe Red 11 will re-think what venues they are sending them to and finally let them tour deeper into Florida for the first time. 500 would be a small crowd for The Moonpies at some of our venues. We just put 200+ in a hole in the wall bar in Tampa for American Aquarium (another Red 11 Artist) on a Monday night and they haven’t been here in 7 years. Florida sends tons of fans to Mile 0 Fest every year that all know Mike and the Moonpies and the other Mile 0 artists very well and support them generously when they do come here!
March 17, 2022 @ 11:03 am
Mark,
I am from WI but was lucky enough to be in town for the American Aquarium and Margo Cilker show on Monday night. What a cool venue! And I was impressed with the large crowd for a Monday night. Would never have happened up here in Milwaukee. Back to the Moonpies, I saw them on the Steak Night tour in Milwaukee and 23 people were there. Last summer I saw them in the same venue and it was crowded, maybe 150 people.
Can’t comment on Hoptown’s observation other than my own experience. However, even 150 or so seems small for a Moonpies show even given that it was not on a weekend. Think it is a interesting question he asked.
March 17, 2022 @ 1:55 pm
Can you let me know some of the Tampa area venues that have good shows? I am new to the area and would really appreciate the recommendations!
March 17, 2022 @ 2:29 pm
Amphitheater across I-4 from the Hard Rock, is cool.
Ybor City has a pretty cool aquarium. St. Pete beaches are awesome.
If you want a really good Grouper sandwich, or Blackened Dauphin dinner, head to Pass-A-Grille (look it up) to The Wharf restaurant. Looks like Holy hell from the outside. Tin sheeting nailed up, IS the exterior wall. Sits right on the Intracoastal waterway.
A block away, to the West, sits the Gulf of Mexico.
Fabulous.
If you go to The Wharf, make sure to order the red beans & rice. Best on the planet.
March 17, 2022 @ 4:44 pm
Greatly appreciated guys!!!
March 17, 2022 @ 5:50 pm
: D OMFS88,
Highly recommend festivities around the Jose Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Next year, it is set for 2023 date, 28 January.
In ’08, the Society of Nuclear Medicine held their annual convention at The Hilton, Clearwater Beach. Great way to get the required 24 CEU’s, for license upkeep.
Sashayed into the CEO’s office out in Oklahoma and said, need to go home, Boss. Explained. He smiled, & said, Have Jill book it. Almost peed my pants, was so excited. Contacted friends – & we decided to get rooms at The Thunderbird Resort. Very funky cool, old Florida beach hotel. 2 pools, great whirlpool, Always a great reggae band.
The night of the Gasparilla parade, we walked to a really cool bar catty cornered across the street. Great music, lot of bawdy pirates. Gorgeous guy near us, managed to slice the front of his lower leg on something. My friends, pointing, said No worries – she’ll fix it. He threw his leg on my lap, someone hustled over with a 1st aid kit, and rubber gloves. We got him all cleaned up, Neosporin-ed, bandaged & declared he might live through the night. He leaned in and asked what it was gonna cost him. Gave him an assessing, lingering look, & pointed to his head. He rolled his eyes up, and touched his hand to his head. He was like, MY BANDANNA?!!! I was like, Uh-huh. He was like, NOT MY PIRATE BANDANNA! Was like, Oh Yeah. He took it off that gorgeous head of his, i put it on. He smiled and asked, what else? Took a few more seconds to look him over, (in the adult beverage induced haze) and pointed to the Really cool skull and crossbones, and sword beads around his neck. Thought he might start crying. He took them off, handed them over.
You Do Not want to miss Gasparilla Pirate Invasion.
Always a hoot
March 17, 2022 @ 4:41 pm
You asked specifically about venues in Tampa. Tuesday night we saw Soccer Mommy at Crow Bar. A fine small venue with good sound. As it’s name implies, it’s a bar. We’re seeing Charley Crockett next Tuesday at the Tampa Theatre, the best venue in town. A 1926 movie palace with awesome sound. Saw Steve Earle back in August/September at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, probably my second favorite venue. No bad seats. Seeing Phoebe Bridges at The Cuban Club. Excited she’s at such a small place. Her other shows are theaters. It has atmosphere. Saw lots of great Classic punk shows there way, way back. The Amphitheater is your basic shed, but a good place for larger shows. The Performing Arts Center and Ruth Eckerd Hall are also fine larger venues. Skipper’s Smokehouse is not to be missed. The classic outdoor Tampa venue for Americana/Reggae/Jam bands, etc. Elizabeth Cook and Sarah Borges tore it up there a couple weeks ago. The Tampa Bay Area has excellent venues, it’s just that many artists bypass Florida.
March 17, 2022 @ 4:51 pm
I’ve noticed that many artists that are routinely featured on this site don’t make it down here since relocating. Thanks so much for the recommendations here! I’ll definitely check them out!
March 18, 2022 @ 5:20 am
Tampa Bay Venues if you like bands like Mike and the Moonpies: The Dallas Bull brings in most of the Texas / Red Dirt bands when they do come. Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott, Casey Donahew, CoJo, Aaron Watson, Josh Ward, Granger Smith and Kolby Kooper have all played there to good crowds. CoJo is the only one to sell it out (Over 2000 people approx). Like all country bars, they have been taken over by line dance instructors bringing in garbage music but DJ’s still play traditional country and they have the most 2 steppers in the area especially on Saturday. Skippers Smokehouse brings in good talent. Ward Davis is coming next week. Sunny Sweeney, Dale Watson, Reckless Kelly, Elizabeth Cook have played. Like the Dallas Bull, they are chasing Texas/Red Dirts hard but keep getting the “not on the route path” excuse even though they get big crowds every time one comes. Crowbar just had American Aquarium and Sarah Shook was booked but covid. The Attic in Ybor had Sam Riggs twice and had Hayes Carll booked but covid. Jannus Landing in St Pete has had Cody Jinks, Koe Wetzel, Sunny Sweeney, Kolby Cooper. Others: Tampa Theatre (Charley Crockett, Robert Earl Keen), Capital Theatre (Robert Earl Keen). Follow Florida Red Dirt Country Club on Facebook and Twitter for the latest on these type bands coming to Tampa and Florida in general. Florida also has great private House Shows!
March 18, 2022 @ 5:34 am
Great info, thanks so much!
I will follow Florida Red Dirt Country Club for sure!
March 18, 2022 @ 12:42 pm
I’ve noticed the same thing and saw it in person. Went to the Brewster Street Icehouse in Corpus Christi on Friday and while it wasn’t empty it was not near as full as I expected at $20 a ticket. Was a great show though and got to stand pretty close (front was closed off to picnic table seating).
March 22, 2022 @ 2:08 pm
Was packed in Trinidad, CO (a town of less than 9000) last Wednesday and they were at capacity the next night at Hi-Dive in Denver.
March 16, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
“No word on why Kyle Ponder has decided to step away, so let’s just throw the wild rumor out there that he’s currently in small arms/hand to hand combat training, and is flying to Ukraine to fight as a mercenary and leave it at that.”
Brother, you better hope that is what he’s doing, throwing that comment out there.
March 16, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
Man….. I loved Kyle’s drumming just as much as I loved Eric Peterson’s guitar in The Disarmers…..people have no idea how hard it is for these bands to keep going in the current climate and what these individual musicians mean to the bands we love………. but the reality is we all have to do what we have to do to keep going, make a living, and above all maintain health and sanity in the world we live in……….. I’ll always support the Moonpies and maybe one day Kyle can come back. Looking forward to the Windy City Smokeout!!!
March 16, 2022 @ 8:38 pm
Trig, any chance you have insight into why the Kansas City show in June was cancelled? I haven’t seen anything posted about it – I just noticed it disappeared of the Moonpies site and the venue’s site (Knuckleheads KC) about two weeks ago. Hoping something new gets added in the area soon as I’ve been waiting for them to come through town!
March 16, 2022 @ 8:54 pm
Not sure. I know folks like playing Knuchleheads. May just be some sort of scheduling conflict.
March 17, 2022 @ 12:00 pm
One of first things I noticed when listening to Mike and the Moonpies was how cool the drum grooves were.
March 17, 2022 @ 11:41 pm
By the end of april they’re scheduled to play in Europe. I’m planning to go!
March 20, 2022 @ 10:37 am
It looks like the Euro tour has been postponed (again), until next year.
March 18, 2022 @ 9:39 am
A while back they were scheduled to play in Arkansas City, KS, then it got cancelled. Don’t recall why but I hope it back on the schedule soon. Saw them in Coupland, TX a few years ago and it remains the best show I have seen.
March 18, 2022 @ 12:52 pm
They’ve been one of me and my family’s favorites for over ten years now. I’d be there every chance I could before I got old and my health started going to crap (maybe cow manure no crap). I got to visit with Mike before a fairly recent show at Gruene Hall. He and the band are hard working and put out great songs. It’s an honor and privilege to call them my brothers and friends. I’ll be listening to em when they force me to move to the Old Soldier’s Home.
March 18, 2022 @ 7:15 pm
I know we are not owed explanations, but I wish when a band member departs that they could put out some statement so there would be a lessening of speculation as to said departure. But, like I said, I guess fans are not owed an explanation.