about
The Summer of 2017 found Texas native David Beck lost and looking for inspiration…
…an impromptu house party was where it all changed. There on the big screen TV, volume on full blast, was Selena and her band shaking the Astrodome with a sound that resonated and caused a chain reaction inside. He was instantly captivated and knew his next move. He began devouring Tejano music, one of the soundtracks of his birthplace San Marcos, Texas. He began writing and recording Tejano inspired music, and naturally began playing shows. Gathering up friends, he quickly had a band: blazing accordion, shimmering keys, cranked guitars, upright bass and drums. The sound he’s created is traditional Tejano sung in English. Every song is a dance track, every show is a party focused on friends, family, and bringing the two together. David is no stranger to the stage, he took his previous bands Sons of Fathers and Blue Healer from The Grand Ole Opry to Bonnaroo, from Gruene Hall to Austin City Limits, all while fronting the groups from the Upright Bass. This latest incarnation of his art will surely leave fans with limp legs and happy hearts.
the band
david beck
Where were you born?
San Marcos, TX
What are your hobbies?
I love playing basketball, it’s been my zen escape for the last five years. It also counteracts my affinity for breakfast tacos.
What other instruments do you play?
Guitar, bajo, piano, a little trumpet, cello and drums.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs, I trust no cat.
What’s your favorite food?
Cheese enchilada dinner from Herberts Taco Hut in San Marcos.
Favorite city to visit?
New York City, it’s transformative.
CD or Vinyl?
Avoiding an easy joke here...
Previous bands you’ve recorded or played with?
Living Impaired, Fluency, Tour De Force, Our Favorite Colors, Arspoetica, The Hummingbirds, The AK-47s, Rodney Hayden, Matt King, Alex Meixner, Carley Wolf, Sons of Fathers, Blue Healer, Martindale Beach, Marshall Anderson, The Ditch Crickets and Half a Man.
Any special DBTW stories you’d like to share?
I’ve got to say, the San Antonio rodeo was a turning point. It was a BIG gig for us. San Antonio is the Tejano Mecca, so we came out swinging. The crowd was skeptical at first, which happens a lot. I don’t blame them, I’d be skeptical of a tall goofy white boy playing this music too. But you can’t argue with the beat, and once we started playing some Ramón Ayala the dance floor was flooded. The circle started spinning and it was and will always be a highlight of my life.
Who inspires you?
My sister Katy is a singer in the Navy. She works harder than anyone I know at her craft. She’s a wonderfully powerful singer and I think about her every show. If I can just be a tenth of how good she is I know it will be alright.
What artists/bands are you listening to?
Los Palominos, Roberto Pulido, Selena, Kumbia Kings, Gary Hobbs, Emilio Naivara, Los Garcia Brothers, Creed, Michael Salgado, Grupo Limite and David Lee Garza.
DAVID HERRERA
Where were you born?
New Braunfels, TX
What are your hobbies?
Toy collecting, comics, movies/video games, and activities that have no meaning.
What other instruments do you play?
Accordion,Trumpet, Air guitar/bass (you'll catch me all the time doing that) Guira, and I also play a mean cowbell.
What year did you join DBTW?
On a cold day in January 2019
Cats or dogs?
CATS (I have two)
What’s your favorite food?
Beef Ribs
Do you like recording or playing live better?
I love to do recordings, but I would say nothing beats playing live . The energy of my band mates playing songs and the crowd. That's such a great feeling. “It feels right".
CDs or Vinyl?
I have stacks of CDs!!!! Vinyl is my preference. I want to start collecting Tejano/Conjunto albums.
Previous bands you’ve recorded or played with?
La Tradizion, Conjunto Cats and played along side with many other bands as an accordionist.
Any special DBTW stories you’d like to share?
I could go on all day about stories, but here's one from my beginning with DBTW. I first sat down with David Beck in his studio after replying to a Craigslist ad on a Tuesday to go over some music ,and talk about the project. I really liked all the music so I learned all he gave me . Then went back on Thursday to practice with the band. Went through the tunes that night, and said I got the gig. Okay, first gig was that Sunday at Sam's Town Point in Austin. A very cool out of the way place by the way where you pay your cover in a bucket as you enter (the honor system.) There was even a following to see us perform that day since the band has already been around so I thought that was pretty cool. I wasn't nervous that night just in a state of I hope I don't mess up too bad. I can say it went great for my first show with the guys. I felt an instant connection to everyone that first night, and we all became best buds . The crowd was awesome, and the beer was cold.
Who inspires you?
I'm inspired by my accordion master Bene Medina. He's taught me so many things about everything. The late accordionist Joe Martinez is the first reason I want to play the squeeze box.
PETER HUYSMAN
Where were you born?
Seabrook, TX
What are your hobbies?
Music, horror movies and cooking.
What year did you join DBTW?
From the beginning, 2017
Cats or dogs?
Dogs, but I prefer cat videos.
What’s your favorite food?
Tacos
Favorite city to visit?
Yellowstone
Do you like recording or playing live better?
Playing live, the energy is palpable and delicious.
Previous bands you’ve recorded or played with?
Failure to Associate, Stick Up, The Seabrook Rude Boys, Positive Disturbance, Hill County Jane, TFL, The Refuge Band, Marshall Anderson, The Chip Oliphant Band and whoever else is willing to listen to me play.
Any special DBTW stories you’d like to share?
Just my appreciation for the other musicians we’ve shared a stage with. It’s all been wild.
Who inspires you?
My Mom, Dad and Larry David.
What artists/bands are you listening to?
NOFX always
dees stribling
Where were you born?
El Paso, TX 1985
What are your hobbies?
Vexillology, thinking about disc golf for 2021
What other instruments do you play?
Percussion, piano, and even less guitar and mandolin.
What year did you join DBTW?
2017
Cats or dogs?
Cats but I like all animals.
What’s your favorite food?
My friend told me once his desert island food would be chips and guac and I’m right up there with him so either that or some good ol Lucy’s fried chicken.
CD or Vinyl?
I stream music more than either but out of the two... vinyl because big cool LP jackets and streaming because when I try and use my record player in the car it never works out great.
Previous bands you’ve recorded or played with?
The first time I ever played live was at the pre-talent show qualifying round and 6 or so kids from the ll school band thought we were a shoe-in because the song: 1) started with the Wipe-Out drum beat and 2) we put together the band and wrote the song for this specific show so we were super-hyped up. Unfortunately we were not admitted to the show because a cool kid band was more popular... imagine that.
Any special DBTW stories you’d like to share?
This is the first band I’ve been in where all of our best shows have been in the daytime. The absolute best show we’ve ever played was at the San Antonio Rodeo right before the great shut down pandemic of 2020. The whole band and the whole crowd were all floating on air that day.
Who inspires you?
Usain Bolt, Keith Jarrett, and pretty much anybody that is dedicated to whatever it is they set their mind to.
What artists/bands are you listening to?
I try and listen to a lot of music as much as possible so it definitely varies throughout the year. Right now I have been listening to Los Elegantes de Jerez, Pinegrove, Marc Maron’s podcast, and some Sting solo records.
JOHN SAUCEDO
Where were you born?
Amarillo, Texas
What are your hobbies?
Aside from music, I love the outdoors, hunting and fishing is where I’m at. I also dig gaming with friends on Xbox
What other instruments do you play?
I grew up as a low brass player on trombone and picked up guitar along the way. Banjo, Ukulele, and Mandolin have come into the household over the years as well. Recently I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on the Bajo Quinto which is a traditional string instrument to Tejano music.
What year did you join DBTW?
January 2020
Cats or dogs?
Dogs, even though I have 3 cats
What’s your favorite food?
Pizza
Favorite city to visit?
San Antonio, Texas
Previous bands you’ve recorded or played with?
I have played with bands such as Greer, Marshall Anderson, and The Hemphill Heartbreakers
Any special DBTW stories you’d like to share?
We played a great show March 2020 that was aired live on Sun Radio at Guero’s Taco Bar in Austin. The show was with Fastball which I have been a fan of for a long time, and on top of that it was my son’s first live show ever to come see. All these ingredients of good came together, it was overwhelming! It was right before covid hit, so I cherish those moments dearly and is what I look forward to when times are better
Who inspires you?
My family is my biggest inspiration, especially my son JP
What artists/bands are you listening to?
I am listening to Sturgill Simpson, David Farias, Art Tigerina, Jesse Daniel, Cody Jinks, Selena Quintanilla, Mike and The Moonpies