Clockwise: Band members Jeremy Newberry, Andrew Simmons, Jon Deen and Greg Denn
This guest blog post is by Joana Ortiz.
Prepare to swoon, Austin. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a date with four guys. Okay, it wasn’t a date, but you must meet The Chorderoys. The Americana quartet, composed of brothers Greg and Jon and their mates Andrew and Jeremy, were kind enough to have a chat with me over dinner at the Austin staple, Stubb’s, before the start of their gig. (Quick plug for Stubb’s: BBQ upstairs and quality live music just below? Sold.)
You can find The Chorderoys at popular venues in town with black ties, black vests, Sunday shoes, and charming smiles. But before I dive into their current affairs, let’s talk history.
Hailing from Virginia, the brother duo Greg and Jon began their musical career as young teens at dive bars making college kids go wild for Matchbox Twenty covers and other billboard hits. In the wise words of Jon, “It doesn’t get much better than ‘3 AM.’”
Years later, prior to moving to the beautiful and magnificent Lone Star State, the then trio recorded their self-titled debut album in South Carolina. Soon after making Austin home, they found the golden-locked Jeremy and completed the formation of a powerful quartet.
Photo credit: Dallas Followill
O Chorderoy, Where Art Thou?
It’s show time. The crowd gathers and moves towards the stage without hesitation as the band begins to play. Greg leads the way with impressive vocal chords and Southern charm, and the crowd erupts as Jon delivers a never-failing electrifying performance on drums. Jeremy and Andrew tie up all the strings with energetic keyboard and bass.
The Chorderoys perform at Stubb’s
Before the show commenced, I asked the band what they hope audience members take away from their shows. Greg answered ever so elegantly:
“First and foremost, I want them to have fun…An equally important part of that is maybe trying to come away with a little bit of Art History…and if they can see some of the things I’ve been through and we’ve been through then… they can get a sense of who we are and relate to us…maybe we helped them through something by something we’ve done.”
I have to be honest. I am typically not a country-listening gal, but these guys put on quite the show. People raising their beers and cheering like crazy when Greg gives shout-outs to Virginia, South Carolina, and Texas creates a familiar and warm environment to be in, no matter your music leanings. As I watched the Stubb’s crowd cheer, hug their beer bottles, and croon along to The Chorderoys’ rhythmic tunes, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was briefly transplanted to a scene in O Brother, Where Art Thou? All this to say, The Chorderoys are stellar and definitely Coen Brother approved.
Dudes Who Drink
Since The Chorderoys are quasi-newbies to Austin, I thought it’d be fun to ask them about their favorite spots around town. The band members’ replies:
- Stubb’s
- Gingerman
- White Horse/East Side (E. 6th bars)
- Lambert’s
Hop around and perhaps you’ll run into these fellas. Better yet, buy them a beer.
If I have taken anything away from The Choderoys’ shows, it’s the genuine soul exuding from their instruments and song-writing. Please do yourself a favor and catch them live on July 27th at Speakeasy, at Hope Farmers Market on June 28th, and again at Stubb’s on August 17th.
Follow them on Facebook and catch their new video, learn about their upcoming events, and get to know them a little better.
Joana is proudly a native Austinite, a social worker by day, and a music lover by eternity. You can follow her nonsensical and hoodrat thoughts on Twitter.
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