If the guys behind Texas Scratch were a pop trio, the 14-year gap between when they recorded and when their album was finally freed from corporate limbo would’ve been a death knell for all involved. Trends are fickle and so is the industry responsible for pushing them. Luckily, Jim Suhler, Buddy Whittington, and Vince Converse are three of the most accomplished guitarists on the Texas blues scene, which means that their songs and the style in which they play them will never go the way of the dodo.
Each track takes on the personality of its writer, but the way in which this trio is able to seamlessly meld in the studio to service the songs is what prevents this project from falling into the typical “supergroup” snare trap. When there’s no ego or melodrama to speak of, three blues lifers can band together for the love of the music and that’s exactly what you get here.
I spoke with Suhler recently about the album as well as whether or not we can expect anything new from George Thorogood and the Destroyers in 2024.
MNOD: 14 years is a long time, especially in the music industry. What was the reason behind the delay?
Suhler: I don’t know. I think it was backroom label stuff that prevented this album from getting released sooner. It kind of languished on a shelf for a while. I wasn’t even aware that it was finally coming out until I saw it on social media, which is a unique marketing technique.
MNOD: Because you’ve done so many other things since recording this album, how connected are you to this material when talking about it now?
Suhler: I’m still connected. The relationship I have with Buddy and Vince is great. We all grew up in Texas with the same musical influences. We drank the same water, ate the same food, and listened to the same players. We’ve also played some of these songs in various live settings, so the feelings are still there regardless of how long it took for the public to hear this stuff.
MNOD: I’ve been listening quite intently the past few days and really love the live-off-the-floor feel you guys generated. What was the recording process like?
Suhler: We recorded at Showplace Studios in Dover, New Jersey, which actually doubles as a strip club. It was sketchy, because we had to walk through that side to get to the studio and the girls looked uncomfortable. I think it may have been a Russian mob thing, as well. We had these songs worked out before we got in there, so it was a fun process. I worked hard on the arrangements and we hammered them out rather quickly.
MNOD: “Trip Hammer,” “Showdown,” “Purple Mountain Flask,” and “I’d Rather Be Lucky Than Good” are the songs that you wrote for this album. Which of them stands out as the one you’re most proud of?
Suhler: “I’d Rather Be Lucky Than Good” is the song that stands out to me. I wrote it with Tom Hambridge, who is one of my favorite people to work with. We were born 10 days apart and he really understands my influences. He’s creative and has a great work ethic.
MNOD: What do you think it is about Texas that makes it such a breeding ground for the blues?
Suhler: Texas just has a confluence of styles and textures that holds people to a higher standard. There are a lot of really good players on the club scene here, so there’s always something going on. Charley Crockett comes to mind as someone to watch as well as Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch from Dallas. There’s plenty of young talent out there to keep things interesting.
MNOD: You’ve been a member of George Thorogood and the Destroyers since 1999. How did you land that gig?
Suhler: I was playing a show with my band at Huey’s in Memphis back in 1990 and George came in at the end. He dug what I was doing and ended up getting my band Monkey Beat signed to his label later on. When the position of lead guitarist came available in 1999, he offered it to me and I’ve been there ever since. 2024 will mark by 25th anniversary with the Destroyers.
MNOD: Do you guys have any new material in the works?
Suhler: We have some stuff that we feel really good about, so we might release some singles eventually. There are no concrete plans for an LP at this point, but you never know.
MNOD: Do you feel that there’s still an incentive to release full-length albums given how much the industry has devalued music?
Suhler: I just don’t know anymore. I love to create, but I also recognize that people’s attention spans and the cost of creating have changed. People don’t want to pay for music, so I think you have to pick your spots and hope for the best.
“Texas Scratch” is available now wherever music is disseminated, but do us all a favor and pay for a physical copy.
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