From Scotland with love - Texas
Club Magazine USA January 1992 - by Katie Love

Ignorance is not bliss, so don't further indulge that cliche.
When I was asked to interview a band from Scotland called Texas my first thought was - now that ought to be an interesting story, but has anyone heard of them? Well, not everyone, (despite the fact that Entertainement Tonight had the nerve to interview them first) though I seriously doubt that will be the case for very long, especially since the education process is so-o-o-o-o painless. I started mine by picking up a copy of their latest album, "Mothers Heaven". After listening to it for about three hours without a hint of boredom creeping in, I wished I'd discovered their music long ago.

I met up with the lead vocalist, Sharleen Spiteri and lead guitarist Ally McErlaine at Slim's in San Francisco just hours before they played to an avid, cheering crowd of fans. What impressed me about these two was the gracefull calm they possessed and the seemingly oblivious attitude they wore regarding their success.

"Music of for people to enjoy," says Spiteri. "They shouldn't take it soo seriously, they should have fun with it - that's all we try to do. You can't build your hopes up too much. We've been lucky to be able to travel all around the world doing what we love to do."

But all modesty aside, it's more then luck that is propelling this band's success. When the petite and seemingly vulnerable Spiteri sings it is more then mere execution of her lyrics, but rather a haunting cascade of emotion that captivates her audience. While she has been compared to vocalist Maria McKee (who sings back up on two songs on "Mothers Heaven") it's the confident blend of her bluesy undertones and clean resonance that makes her voice unique. Reminiscent of Ry Cooder, vocalists dream dance, as she knows exactly when to lead, when to follow. This along with the fine tuned mixture of bass, drums and keyboards are what makes Texas' sound as expansive as their title.

A patient smile lights up Spiteri's face when asked how they chose their name. It came from the film 'Paris, Texas'," she says, "and the feeling is wide open spaces - sparseness."
"Interesting concept", I said. A mistake. Spiteri loathes the word 'concept'. To her, concept is a word used by uptight executives who are incapable of recognizing good fun in music. "Where's the feeling in a concept? she questions.

That brings us to the subject of her lyrics which are deeply immersed in feeling, spawning a gentle kind of wisdom. Written mostly by herself, Spiteri describes her lyrics as a "well kept diary". Inevitably, we talk about the relationships of the band and the strain of being on the road.
"We're all friends, like a family". I ask if they're "related" enough to do each other's laundry and McErlaine laughs goodnaturedly while Spiteri nods her head. "I've done his laundry a few times." It's evident in their music, in their company that there's a chemistry here. Spiteri sincerely agrees.
"When Johnny and I met up with Ally there was just a feeling - we knew. Everything just clicked.
"A band is more chemistry than sound", comments McErlaine. "You've got to feel it." This also explains how they get away without practicing day after day - they don't need to. "You can't play the songs too often", McErlaine continues. "We don't really practice - we just get together and jam - to even playing our own music."

Are they trying to make a statement with their music, and if they are, what is it? Spiteri looks up, deep in thought then replies in her calm and self-assured way. "I don't think we're really trying to make a statement. Music should be there for enjoyment. We never want to lose our perception, we never want to change. We've met some big bands who have really lost their perception, complaining that their hotel rooms are too small - that kind of thing. Then we've met some others who are the nicest people in the world, and then you understand why they're so big. We're from Glasgow, a very real place, where people work and have problems."

That is undoubtedly what gives this band their balance and what sets them apart - is their keen appreciation for their foundation, and their commitment to each other as friends in pursuit of a common goal - "to bring joy to any human being who wants to listen to their music."

The humans I observed at Slim's were definitly listening - not a difficult task - Texas has presence, passion on stage.
Spiteri feels that often people take music too seriously and try to categorize too much. "It's dangerous to try to fit every band into a particular format. Radio stations should be a place where people have a chance to hear new music, but they're too afraid to play new music, so they just end up playing the same songs over and over. Bands like Nirvana are breaking through the mold, they're on the edge - we'd like to see that more often. The industry plays it too safe."
Everything in it's proper place? Hmmmmm, I have to agree with Spiteri, but as far as categories go, I found their albums "Southside" and "Mothers Heaven" under "Rock / Pop". Ah molds and formats, don't we grow weary, and isn't it refreshing when a band comes along to rescue us!


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