“Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul”
Waylon Jennings
Broken, Sick & Drunk; Alcohol Abuse; Heartaches in a Bottle; these are just three song titles from Texas outlaws DANK. Not to paint the band into any corners but DANK make no secret about their lifestyle preferences.
The band calls their music “southern fried outlaw country”, so think a honky tonk Nashville Pussy or a hardcore Pogues and you’re close. There’s a superb mix of rock and roll, punk, and country here – all fronted by the gravel-throated voice of Hank Jarvis singing about drinking, ladies, church and well, more drinking and more ladies.
Guitarist Dave Jarvis took some time to answer our questionnaire.
People say we sound like…
Hank III drawing permanent marker dicks on a semiconscious Pantera
We are…
Hank (vocals/acoustic guitar), Dave (vocals/electric guitar), Kyle (vocals/bass), Kake (banjo) and Danny (drums)
We are originally from…
Arlington, Texas
Tell us a bit about the scene in Texas…
If you’re a popular North Texas band, you’re probably rich, trendy hipsters copying off the Austin bands or mainstream artists. If you’re not, more than likely we’re friends with you. We believe in paying dues.
Who are some that have an influence on your sound?
Wayne Hancock, Pantera, Doc Watson, Dropkick Murphys, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Pogues, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson
The first time we all decided to get together and make some music…
2011
Books we recommend …
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, Ask the Dust by John Fante, Women by Charles Bukowski, All of Hunter Thompson’s work
What influences the band lyrically?
Drugs, alcohol, broken hearts and ruptured spleens
Our craziest/most memorable gig ever was…
When we played a show at Stroker’s, Wayne “The Train” Hancock jumped onstage with us and played several songs with us. Wayne is Hank’s idol.
If you could pick any time to travel back to for music, where would you go and what year would it be…
New York in 1963, when folk music blew up
Growing up, at home we listened to…
Aretha Franklin, U2, Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, The Smiths, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell
What tunes are on heavy rotation for you?
Thousands are Sailing – The Pogues, Til It’s Gone – Yelawolf, Boss DJ – Sublime, Heartattack and Vine – Tom Waits
If you could open for any band right now who would that be and why?
Willie Nelson, his fans would love our sound and our hazy outlook on life
When you are touring and have some time off, where could we find you?
Huffing paint under the bleachers
The one thing we want you to remember while you’re listening to us…
Having a good time never gets old
What’s up for 2015?
Releasing two albums, lining up many out of town gigs, festivals and possibly a tour bus
