Austin Chronicle - Irons in the Fire Review Link to Article
One of the leading lights in Austin's lively bluegrass scene, the Onion Creek Crawdaddies perform an animated variant of the high lonesome sound they call "beergrass." Irons in the Fire, their second self-produced effort, accurately captures the young quintet's sense of frivolity offset with occasional flights into sentimentality. With boyish harmonies and nimble instrumental prowess, the Crawdaddies most often recall punk-bluegrassers Split Lip Rayfield, while the occasional pedal steel and washboard sets them apart from everyone else. At 16 songs, Irons in the Fire could use tightening, but the easygoing "Off the Wagon," gospel tinged "Dusty Bibles Lead to Dirty Lives," and atmospheric fiddle tune "Saltillo Sunrise" unveil OCC's ability to portray different sentiments with a combination of self-confidence and clever ensemble play that's rare on a band's sophomore effort.
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"I first heard these guys at an easygoing bar near Austin, Texas, called The Oaks, and the laidback vibe there complements their loose approach to bluegrass. You can't help but sing along to the energetic lead track, "Dusty Bibles Lead to Dirty Lives."
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SXSW 2004 Preview
"...the energetic Onion Creek Crawdaddies are not to be missed."
Daily Texan
"Forged in the traditional roots of bluegrass, the Crawdaddies are now hell-bent on creating their own unique style of music."
Old Settler's Music Festival
"The Onion Creek Crawdaddies toss convention aside to create their own inspired and creative flavor of fusion that leaves crowds begging for more."
AustinSound.net
"It’s simply refreshing to hear a band that can compose crisp new tunes with an awareness of and nod towards the genre’s traditional roots.
The band goes for broke on this, its second album. Recorded at Willie’s Pedernales Studio, Irons in the Fire is a showcase of the bandmembers’ own songwriting. The album opens with an old-time number entitled “Dusty Bibles Lead to Dirty Lives,” which represents OCC’s fusion of tradition and originality as well as any other song on the album. The tune is simultaneously nostalgic, evoking both old time religion and music, but with an aural flair of the contemporary, particularly in the vocals, that would characterize Old Crow Medicine Show or the Hackensaw Boys more than a purely traditional bluegrass band.
What is perhaps most impressive about this album though, is its success in presenting original music that evokes the best of traditional bluegrass, but that puts a distinctly Texan brand on the sound - no small feat considering that Texas historically doesn’t have a very rich bluegrass tradition and that many bands’ efforts to evoke the local flavor come off as forced or sappy, at best. But songs like “Tortilla Moon,” “The Llano Uplift” and “Saltillo Sunrise” allude to purely Texan experiences as genuine as the small local watershed from which the band takes its name.
As any good bluegrass album must, much of Irons in the Fire concerns itself with love that’s at least a little off-kilter, a little too over, a little too intense, a little too messy. But intermingled with the requisite love-gone-bad tracks are another variety, a series of uplifting tunes that remind me of springtime in the more northern latitudes, songs that, like the first bright, warming days of April in the north, make us want to get up with the sun and put us in a good mood for no particular reason. And the album’s fast-paced rhythms seem likely to inspire even more casual bluegrass fans who aren’t as fond of the genre’s slower tunes. Thankfully though, Irons in the Fire never dips into the self-indulgent, and usually boring, jamming that many contemporary “bluegrass” bands fall victim to, instead offering up among the witty and often emotional lyric numbers, three tightly composed and executed instrumentals.
Quality bluegrass is difficult to find these days, especially in the more country defined hills of Texas. And as Irons in the Fire was limited to a run of only 1,500 copies, this one may soon be hard find as well. But as the Crawdaddies plead on “Far Side of Nowhere”: “you can miss me when I’m gone, just don’t miss me while I’m here.” Don’t miss them while they’re here."
Austin Chronicle - Barn Burners & Bathtub Bourbon Review
As evidenced by the live performances on their debut, Barn Burners & Bathtub Bourbon, the local quintet has the potential to be one of the best bands in Austin...There's an edge to the music that strictly traditional bluegrass doesn't have, but by leaving the rough stuff in, one gets the sense the band is playing to the best of their ability, from the heart.
WHERE IS ONION CREEK? Far southern Travis County -- heading south on I-35, Onion Creek Parkway is one of the last exits within the Austin city limits.
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? None of the five Crawdaddies are related, though you could never tell by their old-timey harmonies.
WHO DO THEY SOUND LIKE? Their fresh-legged hybrid of bluegrass, country, gospel, and Tex-Mex should bring a smile to the faces of the Gourds, the Weary Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, and South Austin Jug Band fans.
WHAT ARE THEY DRINKING? As explained by "Blood in My Veins," "Another Bourbon," and "Fort," the Crawdaddies enjoy a good adult beverage -- so much so they christened both their sound and record label "Beergrass."
