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With a sound that seems to defy its origin, Steelbeam
is a rootsy South Austin based band whose music hearkens to the
starkness of Lubbock and West Texas. Their unique blend of country,
rock, blues and folk speaks of and to the common man’s trials and
tribulations.
Steelbeam is releasing a six song EP, “Fit That Steel”
featuring re-recorded versions of some of the more popular tunes from
their now out-of-print debut CD on the indie label Right On Records. The
self-produced, Fit That Steel was engineered by Merel Bregante
and mastered by Jerry Tubb.
The genesis of Steelbeam began in the
Fall of 1999, when South Austin Gospel Choir singer/poet PJ Liles
enticed fellow member and musician Eric Leikam to join him and
singer/songwriter Steve “Convenience” Ulrich in working up songs
for a new project. The trio performed together briefly before Ulrich
left to pursue a solo career.
Born a boilermaker's son in
Lubbock, PJ Liles’s family often moved around the West, Baytown,
and Midland/Odessa areas. PJ’s father passed away when he was 14, and it
was now his responsibility to get a job to help support the
family. "I was the oldest one at home," he says. "I went and got a job
at Newby's in Baytown as a bus boy. A year later, I became the singing
bus boy."
Well-known radio DJ Eric
Leikam’s musical credits includes Soulride the
critically acclaimed debut CD with former wife Shelly Knight. He
also produced “Walter’s Bird” for Dana Davis’ WYRD
CD. Eric’s songs have been performed and recorded by Steve Ulrich,
The South Austin Gospel Choir and others. Prior to relocating to
Austin in 1995, Eric played bass in a Houston band that featured
award-winning songwriter Shelley King and present Steelbeam
guitarist Kyle Judd.
PJ had been hosting an open mic at
Café Mundi in East Austin. He and Eric used that opportunity to
write more songs, solidify their style and to jam with other
Austin-based musicians. They eventually found eager lifeblood in New
Orleans drummer Steve Gavigan. Rounding out the Steelbeam sound
was fellow choir member and long time friend of Eric’s, Kyle Judd.
Drummer Steve Gavigan emigrated to
Austin from Massachusetts via New Orleans where he played and recorded
with artists such as Chip Taylor, Balsa Wood Flyers,
Water For Emily and noted children’s entertainer Dennis Berner.
Steve also performs with guitarist Doug Clark Steiger and the
Lee Edwards Group, among other local musicians. He backs up Adam
Garner on the recently released Finding The Cure CD that benefits
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Kyle Judd has been voted one
of Austin’s favorite guitarists by readers of the Austin Chronicle.
A recurring member of the award-winning Shelley King Band, Kyle
also plays with Jessica Shepherd and frequently sits in with
Steve and Doug Clark Steiger at their gigs.
Steelbeam recorded and released their
debut CD “Good Ol’ Fashion Blue Collar Sound” in 2002. Though it
received critical acclaim and modest sales, the band concluded that
re-recording some of the more popular songs, including “Boilermaker
Blues”, “Redneck Ways” and “Engine 17”, would reflect a more accurate
essence of their sound. In October of 2004 they entered Cribworks
Studio in Austin with noted engineer Merel Bregante at the
helm and with the help of Dimestore Poets bassist Carl
Loschiveo, they recorded and mixed six original songs. Terra Nova’s
sonic guru Jerry Tubb mastered the EP.
Steelbeam has been featured
on the syndicated program Humble Time Radio and has received
airplay on Central Texas radio stations KGSR, KUT, KKMJ,
KFAN and KVET. The band has made appearances on KTBC
Fox 7. The band has performed at Antone’s, Taco X-press,
Ruta Maya, Hill’s Café, Café Mundi, County Line,
Posse East, Hickory Street, Trophy’s, Love,
Flamingo Cantina, special events, fairs, benefits and private
parties.
For more information call Eric Leikam at
512-750-3877. Email:
ericradio@yahoo.com.
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