Shinyribs

Biography

Kevin Russell, known professionally as Shinyribs, was born in Beaumont, Texas, and raised in a Church of Christ family before discovering his musical passion as a teenager in Shreveport, Louisiana, and biker bars where he played loud country blues rock and psychedelic swamp jangle starting at age 17[2][4]. He formed the regionally popular band Picket Line Coyotes, which toured the college circuit until the early 1990s, then moved to Austin via Dallas in 1988-1991, evolving into The Gourds in 1994 with key members like Jimmy Smith, Claude Bernard, and Charlie Llewellin, becoming staples in the Americana and genre-bending scenes[1][2][4]. Shinyribs began in 2007 as Russell's solo side project to showcase his prolific songwriting beyond The Gourds' sets, initially as monthly gigs in Houston, named after a transient woman's shout following a plate of ribs he gave her[1][4][5].

After The Gourds hiatus in 2013, Shinyribs became Russell's primary outlet, expanding into a nine- or ten-piece Austin-based band featuring drums from his brother-in-law Keith Langford, bass, keyboards, horns (Tijuana TrainWreck Horns), pedal steel, and backing vocals from Shiny Soul Sisters, with a sound blending country-soul, swamp-funk, Texas Blues, New Orleans R&B, Memphis Soul, country twang, border music, big band swing, and roots-rock[1][3][5]. Live shows highlight Russell's charismatic stage presence, dancing, conga lines through crowds, colorful suits, extravagant shoes, light-up cloaks, and instrument swaps between guitar, ukulele, and mandolin[1][5][7]. The band released their debut Well After Awhile in 2010, produced by Russell and George Reiff, and earned 'Best Austin Band' at the Austin Chronicle Music Awards in 2017 and 2018[2][5].

Shinyribs represents Russell's vision for a genre-defying supergroup, transitioning from solo acoustic origins to a full horn-driven ensemble that captivates with cinematic energy and his longstanding roots in Texas music scenes[1][4][5].

Fun Facts

• The name 'Shinyribs' originated when a transient woman Russell had given a plate of ribs to shouted it back at him[1][4][8].
• Shinyribs started to earn an extra $500 monthly for a family car via solo Wednesday gigs at Houston's Under the Volcano club[4].
• Russell leads conga lines through venues, dons light-up cloaks, and swaps guitar for ukulele mid-performance in colorful suits and extravagant shoes[1][5][7].
• Named 'Best Austin Band' by Austin Chronicle Music Awards in 2017 and 2018[5].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Lomax - Musicological inspiration influencing Russell's interest in indigenous folk music during Grackles era post-Picket Line Coyotes (Songs reflecting Lomax's field recordings style) [early 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Keith Langford - Drummer, brother-in-law, Gourds bandmate, only other original Shinyribs member (All Shinyribs albums and live performances since 2007) [2007-present]
• Jimmy Smith - Gourds co-founder and co-frontman, early influence on band dynamics (The Gourds albums) [1994-2013]
• Jeff Brown - Bassist in early Shinyribs band (Early albums including Well After Awhile) [2007-2010s]
• Winfield Cheek - Keyboardist in early Shinyribs lineup (Early albums) [2007-2010s]
• George Reiff - Producer (Well After Awhile (2010)) [2010]
• Ray Wylie Hubbard - Guest appearance (Well After Awhile (2010)) [2010]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Who Built the Moon (Well After Awhile)
2. Take Me to Lake Charles (Gulf Coast Museum)
3. Bitch Better Have My Money (Bitch Better Have My Money)
4. Poor People's Store (Well After Awhile)
5. Country Cool (Well After Awhile)
6. East Tx Rust (Well After Awhile)
7. I Don't Give a Shit (I Got Your Medicine)
8. Leavin' Louisiana Blues (Leavin' Louisiana Blues)
9. Baby What's Wrong? (Okra Candy)
10. Sweeter Than the Scars (Gulf Coast Museum)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz