The Suspects

Thank you to everybody who came out for our show on Friday. We had a blast and we plan to do it again as soon as possible.

Until then, have yourselves a look at Jay Lee’s excellent photos from the show. That man can handle a camera!

Come see The Suspects play this Friday!!!

• What?
  The best Christmas present you’ll get this year
   
• When?
  Friday December 21st 2007
  The Suspects @ 11, Aqua Velva @ 10, Happy Hour w/Molly & The Ringwalds 7:00 – 9:30
   
• Where?
  The Continental Club, Houston
   
• Who?
  The Suspects. duh.
   
• No, I Mean Who Is Playing In The Band This Time?
  Oh! Sorry.
• Claudio DePujadas – drums, fresh from Philladelphia
• Joe Cote – keys, flying in from ‘Frisco
• Charlie Esparza – bass, drivin’ from Austin
• Jay Brooks – bass
• Steve Ruth – trumpet
• Ryan Gabbart – trombone
• Chuy Terrazas – sax
• Alan Hernandez – guitar
• Tomas Escalante – vocals
• Chris Kendrick – vocals
• Bill Grady – guitar
• Aaron Koerner – Fluegelhorn
   
• Why?
  Why not!
   
• How Much?
  $12 in advance

They said it couldn’t happen, but we say it can: The Suspects are proud to announce a second (annual?) reunion show! Come see Houston’s legendary ska non-traditionalists take the stage for only the second time since our official breakup in 2002. Here are the details:

• Where: The Continental Club, Houston
• When: Friday December 21, 2007
• With: opening bands TBA
• Why: why not?!?!
• What Else: advance tickets on sale, 21 & up

More details as we make ‘em up.

We have some great pictures from the reunion show for you. If you came to the show and used your camera, let us know and maybe we can post your pictures here on the website.

Friday night was an amazing experience. All of us on stage had a great time, and we hope that everyone walked away feeling like they saw something special. We’ll post pictures and comments in the days ahead, but for now we need to get some “thank you’s” out of the way… 

We have so many people to thank for helping make our reunion show such a great success:

• David Bebee
  David was our replacement drummer, and his performance and dedication were above and beyond what we expected. Without his involvement the show just could not have happened as well as it did, and The Suspects are forever in his debt.
• The Continental Club
  It’s hard to remember a venue that was as easy-going and as willing to work with us as The Continental. These guys deserve your patronage!
• Sarah Cress and The Houston Chronicle
  Sarah’s very professional article in the January 11, 2007 issue of The Houston Chronicle really helped spread the word, and put the band in a very positive light.
• Dusti Rhodes and The Houston Press
  Dusti is a Suspects fan from way back, and she knew the right questions to ask to get the story that not many people had heard. We’re not certain it helped sell any tickets, but it sure is a good story.
• Houstonist, Space City Rock, and many others
  The “blogosphere” really took care of us, and we’re grateful for every single post.

Big thanks are necessary within The Suspects organization as well… Joe flew in from San Fransisco the afternoon of the show on his own dime. Thomas worked overtime with the club and the press to make everything run nice and smooth. Our families deserve a big thanks for putting up with two weeks of chaos-filled late night rehersals. And Andy actually had the huevos to suggest an idea that was so crazy it just might work.

Of course, the biggest thanks of all goes out to all of you who came out to the show. Like we said Friday night, we love you all!

Let’s recap, shall we?

• Who: The Suspects were one of Houston’s top local bands in the mid-to-late 1990′s, and perhaps the top ska band in the area.
• What: A reunion show!
• Why: Why not? The Suspects haven’t played together since August of 2002.
• Where: The Continental Club (map: 3700 Main St, Houston TX)
• When: Friday, January 19th 2007 – Doors open at 10pm – 21 & up!
• How: Buy your advance tickets now, ‘cuz we’re expecting a sold out show.

Also of note: The Aqua Velva is the opening band for Friday’s festivities. Ususally, the Continental Club also has a “happy hour” band play starting at 7pm, but this show is an exception. The Aqua Velva will take the stage a little earlier than usual for an opener (probably a little after 9pm) and we’ll have a DJ going all “old-school reggae sound system” inbetween the bands. Please get there early and don’t miss any of this great, great music!

One more interview before the big show: cool-guy, scene-savvy website “Houstonist” did a short interview-by-email with one of us this week and it’s up for your reading pleasure…

The Suspects’ Bill Grady, musician

And let’s give three cheers for no movie puns!

[edit 01-19-2007]

Here’s another little blurb (not an interview, though) from our old, old friends at Space City Rock:

And Don’t Give Me That Decaf Shaft…

Dusti Rhodes from the Houston Press interviewed a few of us and got a slightly different side of the story then the one printed in the Houston Chronicle last week. Prepare yourselves for a tragic tale of rejection and reconciliation…

The Unusual Suspects – He said, he said with Houston’s former ska kings

BTW – Why does everybody seem to think that using a “Ususal Suspects” reference when talking about us is still funny?

We’d like to give a big thank you to Sarah Cress and The Houston Chronicle for a very classy take on the history of the band. She did a great job with the article, and the podcast is super-smooth!

You can buy your tickets for the January 19th show online, right now! I don’t know the official capacity, but we’re guessing The Continental Club can hold between 200 and 250 sweaty Suspects fans. That’s not a lot, so get your tickets now before it’s too late!!!