Tex Pistols – Chip Shop EP

This past fall, I went to London with the intention of seeing and hearing The Tex Pistols. Not to be confused with the American band out of Minneapolis, The Tex Pistols are Phil Rambow (The Winkies), Paul Riley (Chilli Willi), Martin Belmont (Graham Parker & The Rumour), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions), Geraint Watkins (Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and many more), and Bob Loveday (Van Morison).

Although I was unable to, I did have the opportunity to hear Rambow and Belmont perform. You can see video of the show here. Following the performance, I spoke with Phil Rambow. I learned that Pete Thomas had to return to the US in August, so I had just missed them.

However, earlier in the year, they recorded a pretty nifty EP. Entitled Chip Shop, it’s basically 6 guys out of the pub rock / power pop scene getting their country on. It’s quite enjoyable and best of all, proceeds go to prostate cancer research. So, it’s worth your while to pick this one up.

The disk starts out with the country-rockabilly flavored “There’s a Guy Down at the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” and proceeds right into the Hank Williams classic “Cold, Cold Heart”. Other tracks include “Louisiana Blues”, “Train Kept a Rolling”, and the live “I’m Coming Home”.