American Aquarium Impresses with Revamped Lineup
For those who thought that the news of long-time American Aquarium members Bill Corbin and Kevin McClain leaving the clan in April meant the end of American Aquarium, they don’t know the indomitable spirit of the founder, frontman, and principal songwriter of American Aquarium, BJ Barham.
Perhaps it would be easier to just sally forth as a solo artist from here on out, but as BJ promised in April, “American Aquarium isn’t going anywhere. Like most things in life, band members change, however these songs and my dreams of playing them for folks every night do not. I’ve had to replace 20+ band members over the last decade and this time, although much harder, will be no different. If you’ve ever met me, you know that there isn’t an ounce of quit in me.”
And so American Aquarium retooled, and in the image of where American Aquarium has been hanging out most these days—the Texas music scene. The new lineup includes drummer Joey Bybee, who is known for his work with the recently-disbanded Texas band the Crooks. Damn Quails bass player Ben Hussey and guitarist Shane Boeker also fill out the new lineup, which gives American Aquarium a majority of Texans in the band to vote Whataburger over Wendy’s for lunch. And Nashville-based pedal-steel player Adam Kurtz, known as the frontman of the Buck Owens tribute band Buck N’ Stuff, also helps fill out the lineup. It is unclear how Kurtz feels about Whataburger.
With the revamped lineup, American Aquarium headed out on a fall tour, making a stop at the legendary Gruene Hall on Saturday night (9-10). Despite the new players, the set was tight, BJ was energetic as always, and it appears the American Aquarium took a punch to the gut but got right back up to beg for more. Its BJ’s doggedness in the face of adversity that makes American Aquarium easy to root for, even if his unrelenting tour schedules are likely one of the reasons it’s difficult to keep a lineup together.
Jamie Lin Wilson also showed up to support American Aquarium’s new lineup, and sang a couple of songs with the band. Saving Country Music photographer Brad Coolidge was on hand to capture it all, and help introduce the new lineup to those folks looking forward to the future dates on the current tour.
Follow photographer Brad Coolidge on Instagram and Twitter.
September 10, 2017 @ 6:44 pm
New to me. Just listened to a live Wichita Falls. Sounds like Camper van Beethoven meets Son Volt, but with vocals that are more comprehensible. Tasty.
Going to dig a little deeper, but it’s going to take another week or so to move Outlaw and O’Hora out of heavy rotation, especially since Childers discs are incoming.
“American Aquarium” sounds a little precious, don’t you think, Trig? I mean, come on. Why not go all out and call yourself “Attack of the Intense Retro Nerds”?
September 10, 2017 @ 7:06 pm
The name was taken from the signature Wilco song, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.”
A name’s a name. Diarrhea Planet is doing just fine.
September 11, 2017 @ 8:05 am
Wow. I had no idea that was where the name came from but now that I do it makes total sense. Also, that’s probably my favorite Wilco song.
September 14, 2017 @ 10:07 am
I agree, to a degree, and anyone I turn onto them is always kind of put off by the name, but typically end up really liking the music. Also keep in mind that it has been the name of the band FOREVER under which they’ve built a major following (despite little to no major attention / media / etc) so I think at that point you’re kind of stuck as an artist whether you like it or not.
Idk about yourself but my tastes / interests / etc have changed A LOT over the prior decade, and I seriously doubt I’d be happy with a band name I had 10+ years ago but in order to make a living and consistently tour as they have, I think it’s served them well bc name recognition is so damn important in this business.
Otherwise you risk losing the momentum / following / etc that he’s spent 10+ years building up…I’m sure there are a ton of other examples but 1st thing that comes to mind is Hellbound Glory when he switched names then back etc. I think the AA / BJ Barham concept would have served leeroy much better than going in whole hog, fwiw
September 10, 2017 @ 7:27 pm
You are in for a treat, I wish I could go back and rediscover AA for the first time.
September 10, 2017 @ 7:46 pm
I think he’s gone on record as saying he realized a while back that it’s a kind of dumb name, but it’s got some equity behind it now. Either way, they’ve got quite the story. They’re a band I feel like you have to see live to really appreciate. Some of their older work really benefits from new arrangements, tempo, other music words I may or not be using correctly, etc. (“City Lights” for example, is a thousand times better on the live album). Some ups and downs, early records are inconsistent. But the last couple have been really good and when you take the stronger songs from their older stuff, you get a pretty strong catalog. If their new record is strong, they might really take off. I hope so, at least.
September 10, 2017 @ 7:49 pm
Having said all that, and forgetting any words besides strong exist for a minute, they’re one of my favorite bands and BJ is either the world’s best actor or one of the friendliest dudes in the scene, because he always talks to everyone who comes by the merch table after the shows, takes pictures, signs stuff, etc. for however long it takes, so I’m always pulling for them.
September 13, 2017 @ 5:49 am
I think that is just BJ. I covered their show in Dayton for For the Country Record shortly after I found out my company was requiring me to move to Raleigh or find a new job. I stopped by the merch booth after to chat with him and casually mentioned the possible move. He spent a few minutes talking about Raleigh and how much he thought I’d love it. Definitely one of the easiest people to talk to that I’ve ever interacted with in music.
September 14, 2017 @ 7:58 pm
I think so, too. I don’t think you could fake it that well every time. And it doesn’t matter if the people in line are hammered drunk or stone cold sober, he always takes a minute to talk about something and thanks everyone for coming out. He’s good people as far as I can tell.
September 14, 2017 @ 10:13 am
Def reps NC properly & consistently, and has been the same way through all the years / band member changes / partying hard / sober / etc
September 11, 2017 @ 10:02 am
Yeah I would say from Burn.Flicker.Die forward are all excellent albums. Of course there are some great songs on the earlier albums, just as you said, they are inconsistent. Plus, I’ve also heard him in interviews he wishes they had chosen a different name for the band, but it’s a little late for that now.
September 11, 2017 @ 10:12 pm
I’d love to hear an updated version of Dances for the Lonely. I like a ton of songs from that record and a couple are way better the way they play them now. And honestly I feel like that’s true of their older stuff, too… Some good material but not the best expression of it. I like Isbell better live, but I like almost all his record cuts. I like AA way better live, but some of those songs I like are just kinda meh on the record. I think BJ has really been kicking ass since he got sober and it’s coming through on stage and in his more recent writing.
September 11, 2017 @ 10:13 pm
“Anne Marie” is one old song where I love the album cut, though. Seen them four times and BJ solo once and have yet to hear it live.
September 13, 2017 @ 5:56 pm
This band’s been killing it for a decade. Dig into it before you call them out for a “pretentious” name.
September 10, 2017 @ 7:32 pm
Yeah I love AA. I discovered them while a student at NC State in Raleigh, NC. They’ve become my favorite band since.
September 10, 2017 @ 7:54 pm
Glad to see an article about them! Thought the new band was great. They play just a little different than the recently guys, who I’ll probably always think of as the definitive lineup, but I think AA has the potential to be better than ever as they get more shows under their belt. The pedal steel guy is dynamite.
September 10, 2017 @ 7:54 pm
Recently departed
September 10, 2017 @ 8:35 pm
Caught them in Tulsa last week. Have loved the band for years, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen BJ with as much energy as I did last week. Definitely digging the new band. Got some older songs in the set list too, which was nice.
Wolves
Wichita Falls
Lonely Ain’t Easy
Casualties
St Mary’s
Jacksonville
Losing Side of 25
Rattlesnake
Tennessee
LBQ
Good fight
Family problems
I ain’t going to the Bar tonight
Southern sadness
Pbr promenade
I Hope He Breaks Your Heart
Burn. Flicker. Die
—————-
Unfortunate kind
Final curtain
NOrtheast Texas Women
September 10, 2017 @ 8:46 pm
Good news. Hopefully an album soon.
September 11, 2017 @ 7:03 am
Wow when Jamie Lin Wilson pops up it means you’re in for a treat! Speaking of (different) female singers am i the only one to think that the new Gretchen Wilson album kikcs assess? any chance for a Trig review?
September 11, 2017 @ 8:27 am
I’m really looking forward to seeing the new lineup in Memphis in a few weeks. Discovered AA a couple years ago (Burn.Flicker.Die. Era) and quickly got the back catalog.
Their live shows are amazing, whether there’s 20 people or 100 (i’d love to see a show at one of their frequent appearances in TX or NC, biggest show I’ve seen was in Little Rock – the Memphis shows are usually just gas-money gigs on the way to a bigger venue but they still give it 110% every time)
Favorite band by far – if you haven’t heard of them, check them out
September 11, 2017 @ 1:11 pm
Pretty pumped to see BJ & the new band this Friday in Greensboro, then they’ll be up near me in Roanoke on the 8th – I always try to see BJ when he’s around, he’s such a friendly guy and always takes the time to talk and hang out after the show. I am glad to see they’re playing some of my favorites on the recent sets – St. Mary’s, PBR Promenade…I saw AA in November last year and they seemed a little tired. From what I’ve seen and heard of the new tour they’re re-energized and BJ is killing it. I also loved his solo record, got to see him play it in Charlotte in September, Justin Osborne from SUSTO opened and turned me on to that band, great if you like American Aquarium.
October 2, 2017 @ 8:17 pm
Susto is incredible! Definitely a band on the rise. Also love American Aquarium. We need someone with Trigger’s skill set talking about the indie music scene in the south. It’s crazy AF right now!
September 12, 2017 @ 6:15 am
I’m liking AA, but Jamie Lin Wilson is the one who turns my head. She always looks like she grabbed her guitar after cleaning up a fried chicken dinner that she cooked herself while dealing with misbehaving kids and a lazy husband. Like she dropped out of a Wyeth painting, or a book by Marianne Robinson. She seems tough, like an old clothesline. She may be a better singer than a writer. I kinda wish she and Gillian Welch would get together to write songs in Texas. Anyway.
September 12, 2017 @ 9:57 pm
Thanks for the update… will have to check this out..
Just a heads up… a new Hellbound Glory album is supposed to drop next month. Finally! What news do you have on this Trigger?
September 13, 2017 @ 3:55 pm
Saw what must have been the last show that the old line up played in Edinburgh Scotland back in March. Superb gig BJ and the band in great form and no sign of the announcement that came only a few days later about the big changes. Wish him and the band all the best and hope to see the new version of American Aquarium back over here in the future
September 24, 2017 @ 10:58 pm
for what it’s a worth, i just got me from seeing thier show in memphis – there was maybe 40 people (all singing along to every song) there at a dive on a sunday night but they played like there was 400. i loved the old band but this new band is stunning, so much energy. any one who can see them live should definitely do so, will not be disappointed.
October 18, 2017 @ 9:29 pm
Seen the new band twice now, once at Granada Theater in Dallas, so probably a couple hundredish people there and once at a dive bar in Fort Worth with maybe 100 or so. Sound system was better at Granada, but the band was awesome both places. I really hope the new record is good, though I’m fairly sure it will be, and they get more exposure. I know BJ loves to be on the road playing shows, but they need to make enough money that the rest of the band can afford some time off throughout the year.