True Believers (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Austin, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Alejandro Escovedo, Javier Escovedo |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Austin , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
The True Believers were a rock group originating from Austin, Texas that operated between 1982 and 1987. Established by siblings Alejandro and Javier Escovedo, the band fused hard rock with influences from country music and the vigor of punk. Despite receiving praise from critics and sharing stages with notable 1980s bands, they maintained a devoted following largely due to their unique and difficult-to-categorize sound.
History
Formed in 1982, the True Believers consisted of vocalist and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo (previously of the Nuns) alongside his brother Javier (formerly of the Zeros), drummer Kevin Foley (also an ex-member of the Nuns), and bassist Denny DeGorio. The group swiftly established themselves on the Texas live music scene, touring by 1984 with acts such as Los Lobos, Rain Parade, and Love Tractor. In 1985, they featured on MTV’s I.R.S. Records Presents The Cutting Edge, aligning with Austin’s "New Sincerity" movement.
Their first album, True Believers (1986), was produced in less than a week on a budget under $10,000, with producer Jim Dickinson and musician Jon Dee Graham contributing. EMI America, impressed through its connection with Rounder Records who distributed the album, signed the band and financed sessions for a follow-up album produced by Jeff Glixman. Unfortunately, after EMI America merged into Manhattan Records, this second project was shelved.
The band disbanded following Javier’s exit in late 1987. The previously unreleased second album eventually emerged in 1994 when Rykodisc reissued it alongside their debut under the title Hard Road. The True Believers briefly reunited in 2012 for a well-received performance at the SXSW festival.
Legacy
William Michael Smith of the Houston Press remarked that "Among numerous stories marked by misfortune and missteps in the music industry, the True Believers' journey stands out prominently." Similarly, Jason Cohen from Texas Monthly referred to them as "commonly regarded as Austin’s premier band during the mid-1980s."
Discography
- True Believers (Rounder, 1986)
- Hard Road (Rykodisc compilation, 1994)