Saw the Derailers this weekend (definate tele content)

Rizo · July 25th, 2005, 12:30 AM

As the headline states, I saw The Derailers this weekend and they put on a heck of a show. These guys are amazing and have twang to spare. If you don't know them check them out.

I was wondering if anyone knew what the deal is with the lead singer's silver sparkle tele. These guys are obviously huge Buck Owens fans and it's no surprise they would have such a tele on stage, but does anyone know what year it is? The neck was heavily worn and the bridge was a rusty three saddle job which makes me think it was a refin-ed 60's or 70's model but any further info would be great. The frontman had awesome tele tone, although I couldn't see his amp. Any more info would be great. Thanks guys.

Redd Volkaert · July 25th, 2005, 04:33 AM

68' or 69' that used to belong to Dave Biller in Austin Tx

Redd

gls500 · July 25th, 2005, 09:14 AM

Are you in Chicago?

I had a choice Friday night of seeing either Junior Brown or the Derailers. I chose Junior because I love to see him, but he ended up having a bit of an off night. Something had him angry, but I don't know what it was. It was a quicker show than normal, and it was still great, but he didn't seem to be having as much fun as he usually does.

GopherTele · July 25th, 2005, 10:20 AM

I've seen Junior when he has been over-served and it def affects his playing.

Does anyone know what Tony Villenueva is doing now that he left the Derailers (former lead singer)?

Last time I saw them Brian Holtfeldt was playing a Twin with an Ibanez delay pedal.

gls500 · July 25th, 2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GopherTele

I've seen Junior when he has been over-served and it def affects his playing.

Nope, not at all. I didn't even see him take one drink. In fact, someone offered him one, and he refused.

He seemed to be having some sort of equipment issue, and was not happy. I was right up front and couldn't tell what it was, but he sounded fine.

lewis · July 25th, 2005, 11:33 AM

I'd love to see the Derailers in person.
I've been listening to one of their albums lately and it seems to lack that spark that a live show would give their good songs IMO.
Junior does so many dates, not all are going to be gems. Fortunately the times I've seen him he's been great.

Rizo · July 25th, 2005, 01:17 PM

GLS500- I'm not in Chicago (although I've always wanted to go there), I'm in Ohio.

I figured his tele was a 60's or 70's model, just seemed about right so 68 or 69 fits.

They put on an awesome show, much better live than on record although I was a little disapointed to only see one guitarist and no pedal steel player. Still, awesome show with some great country/surf licks. I didn't see the amp but a twin would fit with the sound. I didn't see any pedals but it seemed like he was using some sort of clean boost for the leads and probably an echo/delay/etc pedal.

I haven't seen Junior yet, I missed my chance last summer but I get to see him in the near future, definately looking out for him.

Darrell · July 25th, 2005, 01:57 PM

with a fellow TDPRI'er who is close friends with the bass player.

Holfelt (sp) and formerly Villaneava ran exclusively Twin reverbs. It wasn't until their 3rd album when they started experimenting with effects. For grins, Holfelt bought a 30 dollar Dan echo.

That is it. Just pure tele tone.

JJ · July 25th, 2005, 03:42 PM

I played an opening slot for them about a yr ago when Tony was still around. Both were using Twin Reverb Reissues. Brian had a Dan Echo & Tony plugged straight in. Both sounded great & had that great "Bakersfield tone".

andrew · July 25th, 2005, 03:53 PM

I have not seen the Derailers, but I love their sounds. I hear they are all the rage in Paris.

I wouldn't be suprised if that Sparkle tele is a Custom Shop special. The lead player from Speedtrucker named Josh has a silver sparkle tele, that also has a bender on it. I hear they do a lot of silver sparkle jobs in that Custom Shop. 8)

Rizo · July 25th, 2005, 03:54 PM

Dan Echo's sound surprisingly good. Although, I have a Daddy-O that is noisy as all get out and I hear the echo's can be the same way... Despite this, I've heard of a few other fairly big artist using them (Chris Duarte comes to mind and he has tone to spare!). I'm really surprised to not hear anything about some sort of boost, he definately had some punch on the solo and lead-ins. Maybe he was just real slick with hitting to volume or pick up selector... always could be in the attack too.

And yes, great, very great Bakersfield tone. They did the most awe-inspiring cover of "Tiger by the Tail."

Judging from the amount of neck and fret board wear, as well as the rusty (just play nasty looking to be honest) bridge, I don't think it was a custom shop job. I think it was just a really well executed refinish on an older tele. Of course, the custom shop could have done the finish too... you never know.

GopherTele · July 25th, 2005, 04:13 PM

I've seen them live 5-6 times and was never impressed with Brian's tone.

Too flat, no complexity, needs a little sizzle if you ask me.

A sparkle drive or some kind of low db boost would help out considerably.

Amazing harmonies though, solid tunes and what a drummer (the old guy, forgot his name) a true groover.

petebradt · July 25th, 2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GopherTele

Does anyone know what Tony Villenueva is doing now that he left the Derailers (former lead singer)?

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...c_feature.html

johnspierce · July 25th, 2005, 04:47 PM

I asked Brian after a show several years ago about his Tele and it's a real-deal 1968 Tele, all original. His tone is about as signature Bakersfield/Tele as you can get!

JP

Mike D. · July 25th, 2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

I'm takin' a Bar Exam, under a neon sign. I won't graduate until you're off my mind. In this honky tonk bar, they got a hell of a band. Drink by drink, takin' a Bar Exam. -Derailers-

I missed the Derailers show in Chicago this weekend - and Junior Brown too. Dang!

dangerine49 · July 25th, 2005, 10:29 PM

I saw them at a free show in Austin last summer. Great show!! I didn't know they were still touring.

Brewbaker · July 25th, 2005, 11:23 PM

NT

andrew · July 26th, 2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewbaker

NT

Nope, the lead singer quit, but the band is still together. :D

randysmojo · July 27th, 2005, 12:35 PM

I asked him about the year of his silver sparkle when we werehanging out after a gig in San Antonio. He told me it is a '68. You guys guessed pretty darn good!

ptele · July 28th, 2005, 01:48 AM

I have been sitting here waiting a good long while for someone to give Brian his tele credit. I heard The Derailers' first album and dove straight into Buck and then Bakersfield (Merle, Redd Simpson ((gene moles)) and then back out again looking for anyone that can bring to life that sound. Check out Red Meat from S.F. and their hot tele player.

The only pedal I have ever seen Brian play through is a boss tuner. He tunes the big e down and back a half step on some songs. But I'm not from Texas and only catch him when he passes through (four or five times - Chico, S.F. Konocti opening for the Mavericks a long while back)
He has an original and re-issue '65 twin equiped with Jbl d120-fs. I might add, a Bakersfield tradition, and the only thing I can figure is they must of had that amp with those speakers sitting around the recording studio in L.A. because Don, Roy, and Gene (Red Simpson) all played thru tsomething similar on their albums. Not to mention Red and James Burton on Bucks records.

While Dave Alvin and the guy Redd mentions (Biller sp? i.e. check out The Derailers' "Can't Stop A Train" and also check out Biller and Wakefield - kinda of a modern day West/Bryant thing) do add some licks to the tracks on the records, if you study Brian's playing and you are into "not flashy but very tasty guitar" you will walk away with an education on all the players mentioned above. Twang, tone, rythm, vibe, and feel - in fact for pure honky tonk playing he has got it down. (I'm not talking Texas swing or counrty jazz guitar - but just the Bakersfield basics - which sounds and looks easier than it is)

I will admit - when they went to Nashville - the tone, the twang, and the vibe got buried (compressed?) but it is still worth the study and my hat is off to Brian

I have never posted before except for a brief question about a reverb unit in a reissue vibrolux and that was years ago--- and like I said i-- t's time to give Brian his due - he has done his Tele homework.

Philip

GopherTele · July 28th, 2005, 10:22 AM

I think Brian's vocals are better than his bag o' licks.

His playing is serviceable, but not terribly exciting.

I've never stopped and went "What the hell was that" like I do with Burton, Redd, Brent, Paisley et al.

I know the whole "serving the song" thing and that is something Burton and Brent always do.

They just find more interesting ways of doing it.

So I don't really fancy him some kind of great picker.

Fret Wilkes · July 28th, 2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GopherTele

I think Brian's vocals are better than his bag o' licks.

His playing is serviceable, but not terribly exciting.

I've never stopped and went "What the hell was that" like I do with Burton, Redd, Brent, Paisley et al.

I know the whole "serving the song" thing and that is something Burton and Brent always do.

They just find more interesting ways of doing it.

So I don't really fancy him some kind of great picker.

I saw them on the Jerry Lewis Telethon once and he hit a MAJOR clam. It made me smile as I totally related!

Hucklebilly · July 28th, 2005, 11:38 AM

Gotta go with ptele on this one. I like Brian's playing a lot. If that's "serviceable" picking, I'd give some non-guitar playing apendage to play that serviceably.

GopherTele · July 28th, 2005, 01:49 PM

When I sit down to figger out some of Brian's licks, there usually isn't anything that makes me scratch my head and sit there and have to work and work at it--not that simple is bad, it's just not quite as interesting to my ears.

Sit down and try to figure out Redd or Brent and you will be stymied in no time.

An intermediate country player should be able to cop the majority of Brian's licks. And yes, I know, he came up with them which isn't the same as playing them.

fasteddie455 · July 29th, 2005, 12:56 AM

jus goes to show that you can't please everybody...I feel like he "gets" the bakersfield sound like no one else around. there are very few people out there who play tastier fills than Brian...Are there players out there more over the top?...sure, but just because someone can figger out what Brian is doin on the neck does not mean he is not a great guitarist. his solos sure seem to fit the song to me....over the top?...probably not, but keep in mind sometimes less is more.something does not have to be complex to be considered great..after all look at our beloved Teles...it is probably one of the least complex guitars around and it is still great :D
as far as his tones go his highs sparkle and his lows twang thus everything I enjoy most. Also, don't judge his tones by their last two cd's alone for they put his guitar down in the mix a bit to try and get a little more airplay. Live: his sound is great vintage twangy TELE through a Twin Reverb. some of the songs that I feel are so-so on the latest cd's are GREAT live...big difference the mix makes!
it just does not get much better than Brian and the Derailers for me and my money!

fasteddie

July 25th, 2005, 12:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,141	Saw the Derailers this weekend (definate tele content) As the headline states, I saw The Derailers this weekend and they put on a heck of a show. These guys are amazing and have twang to spare. If you don't know them check them out. I was wondering if anyone knew what the deal is with the lead singer's silver sparkle tele. These guys are obviously huge Buck Owens fans and it's no surprise they would have such a tele on stage, but does anyone know what year it is? The neck was heavily worn and the bridge was a rusty three saddle job which makes me think it was a refin-ed 60's or 70's model but any further info would be great. The frontman had awesome tele tone, although I couldn't see his amp. Any more info would be great. Thanks guys. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

July 25th, 2005, 04:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redd Volkaert Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 423	Itsa . . . 68' or 69' that used to belong to Dave Biller in Austin Tx Redd

July 25th, 2005, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 954	Was Junior cocked? I've seen Junior when he has been over-served and it def affects his playing. Does anyone know what Tony Villenueva is doing now that he left the Derailers (former lead singer)? Last time I saw them Brian Holtfeldt was playing a Twin with an Ibanez delay pedal.

July 25th, 2005, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,881 28 Photos	I'd love to see the Derailers in person. I've been listening to one of their albums lately and it seems to lack that spark that a live show would give their good songs IMO. Junior does so many dates, not all are going to be gems. Fortunately the times I've seen him he's been great. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

July 25th, 2005, 01:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,141	GLS500- I'm not in Chicago (although I've always wanted to go there), I'm in Ohio. I figured his tele was a 60's or 70's model, just seemed about right so 68 or 69 fits. They put on an awesome show, much better live than on record although I was a little disapointed to only see one guitarist and no pedal steel player. Still, awesome show with some great country/surf licks. I didn't see the amp but a twin would fit with the sound. I didn't see any pedals but it seemed like he was using some sort of clean boost for the leads and probably an echo/delay/etc pedal. I haven't seen Junior yet, I missed my chance last summer but I get to see him in the near future, definately looking out for him. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

July 25th, 2005, 09:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
gls500 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 894	Are you in Chicago? I had a choice Friday night of seeing either Junior Brown or the Derailers. I chose Junior because I love to see him, but he ended up having a bit of an off night. Something had him angry, but I don't know what it was. It was a quicker show than normal, and it was still great, but he didn't seem to be having as much fun as he usually does.

July 25th, 2005, 01:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,500	I had a discussion with a fellow TDPRI'er who is close friends with the bass player. Holfelt (sp) and formerly Villaneava ran exclusively Twin reverbs. It wasn't until their 3rd album when they started experimenting with effects. For grins, Holfelt bought a 30 dollar Dan echo. That is it. Just pure tele tone. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

July 25th, 2005, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
JJ Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 353	I played an opening slot for them about a yr ago when Tony was still around. Both were using Twin Reverb Reissues. Brian had a Dan Echo & Tony plugged straight in. Both sounded great & had that great "Bakersfield tone".

July 25th, 2005, 03:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
andrew Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Valley Ranch, TX Posts: 799 5 Photos	I have not seen the Derailers, but I love their sounds. I hear they are all the rage in Paris. I wouldn't be suprised if that Sparkle tele is a Custom Shop special. The lead player from Speedtrucker named Josh has a silver sparkle tele, that also has a bender on it. I hear they do a lot of silver sparkle jobs in that Custom Shop. 8)

July 25th, 2005, 03:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,141	Dan Echo's sound surprisingly good. Although, I have a Daddy-O that is noisy as all get out and I hear the echo's can be the same way... Despite this, I've heard of a few other fairly big artist using them (Chris Duarte comes to mind and he has tone to spare!). I'm really surprised to not hear anything about some sort of boost, he definately had some punch on the solo and lead-ins. Maybe he was just real slick with hitting to volume or pick up selector... always could be in the attack too. And yes, great, very great Bakersfield tone. They did the most awe-inspiring cover of "Tiger by the Tail." Judging from the amount of neck and fret board wear, as well as the rusty (just play nasty looking to be honest) bridge, I don't think it was a custom shop job. I think it was just a really well executed refinish on an older tele. Of course, the custom shop could have done the finish too... you never know. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

July 25th, 2005, 04:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 954	I've always found their tones lacking I've seen them live 5-6 times and was never impressed with Brian's tone. Too flat, no complexity, needs a little sizzle if you ask me. A sparkle drive or some kind of low db boost would help out considerably. Amazing harmonies though, solid tunes and what a drummer (the old guy, forgot his name) a true groover.

July 25th, 2005, 04:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
johnspierce Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 468 16 Photos	I asked Brian after a show several years ago about his Tele and it's a real-deal 1968 Tele, all original. His tone is about as signature Bakersfield/Tele as you can get! JP

July 25th, 2005, 10:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
dangerine49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 358	I saw them at a free show in Austin last summer. Great show!! I didn't know they were still touring.

July 25th, 2005, 11:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	I thought the Derailers broke up...NT NT __________________ http://www.sonicbids.com/davidbrewbaker

July 27th, 2005, 12:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
randysmojo Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boerne, TX Age: 33 Posts: 393	I asked him about the year of his silver sparkle when we werehanging out after a gig in San Antonio. He told me it is a '68. You guys guessed pretty darn good!

July 28th, 2005, 01:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
ptele NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: chico, ca Posts: 5	saw the derailers the weekend I have been sitting here waiting a good long while for someone to give Brian his tele credit. I heard The Derailers' first album and dove straight into Buck and then Bakersfield (Merle, Redd Simpson ((gene moles)) and then back out again looking for anyone that can bring to life that sound. Check out Red Meat from S.F. and their hot tele player. The only pedal I have ever seen Brian play through is a boss tuner. He tunes the big e down and back a half step on some songs. But I'm not from Texas and only catch him when he passes through (four or five times - Chico, S.F. Konocti opening for the Mavericks a long while back) He has an original and re-issue '65 twin equiped with Jbl d120-fs. I might add, a Bakersfield tradition, and the only thing I can figure is they must of had that amp with those speakers sitting around the recording studio in L.A. because Don, Roy, and Gene (Red Simpson) all played thru tsomething similar on their albums. Not to mention Red and James Burton on Bucks records. While Dave Alvin and the guy Redd mentions (Biller sp? i.e. check out The Derailers' "Can't Stop A Train" and also check out Biller and Wakefield - kinda of a modern day West/Bryant thing) do add some licks to the tracks on the records, if you study Brian's playing and you are into "not flashy but very tasty guitar" you will walk away with an education on all the players mentioned above. Twang, tone, rythm, vibe, and feel - in fact for pure honky tonk playing he has got it down. (I'm not talking Texas swing or counrty jazz guitar - but just the Bakersfield basics - which sounds and looks easier than it is) I will admit - when they went to Nashville - the tone, the twang, and the vibe got buried (compressed?) but it is still worth the study and my hat is off to Brian I have never posted before except for a brief question about a reverb unit in a reissue vibrolux and that was years ago--- and like I said i-- t's time to give Brian his due - he has done his Tele homework. Philip

July 28th, 2005, 10:22 AM	#21 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 954	Brian's a better singer than a player I think Brian's vocals are better than his bag o' licks. His playing is serviceable, but not terribly exciting. I've never stopped and went "What the hell was that" like I do with Burton, Redd, Brent, Paisley et al. I know the whole "serving the song" thing and that is something Burton and Brent always do. They just find more interesting ways of doing it. So I don't really fancy him some kind of great picker.

July 28th, 2005, 11:38 AM	#23 (permalink)
Hucklebilly Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 802 2 Photos	Another Brian Hoefelt fan Gotta go with ptele on this one. I like Brian's playing a lot. If that's "serviceable" picking, I'd give some non-guitar playing apendage to play that serviceably.

July 28th, 2005, 01:49 PM	#24 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 954	Let's put it this way When I sit down to figger out some of Brian's licks, there usually isn't anything that makes me scratch my head and sit there and have to work and work at it--not that simple is bad, it's just not quite as interesting to my ears. Sit down and try to figure out Redd or Brent and you will be stymied in no time. An intermediate country player should be able to cop the majority of Brian's licks. And yes, I know, he came up with them which isn't the same as playing them.

July 29th, 2005, 12:56 AM	#25 (permalink)
fasteddie455 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 98 6 Photos	Brian is indeed a great picker jus goes to show that you can't please everybody...I feel like he "gets" the bakersfield sound like no one else around. there are very few people out there who play tastier fills than Brian...Are there players out there more over the top?...sure, but just because someone can figger out what Brian is doin on the neck does not mean he is not a great guitarist. his solos sure seem to fit the song to me....over the top?...probably not, but keep in mind sometimes less is more.something does not have to be complex to be considered great..after all look at our beloved Teles...it is probably one of the least complex guitars around and it is still great :D as far as his tones go his highs sparkle and his lows twang thus everything I enjoy most. Also, don't judge his tones by their last two cd's alone for they put his guitar down in the mix a bit to try and get a little more airplay. Live: his sound is great vintage twangy TELE through a Twin Reverb. some of the songs that I feel are so-so on the latest cd's are GREAT live...big difference the mix makes! it just does not get much better than Brian and the Derailers for me and my money! fasteddie