1993.... I was a young angst fueled teenager that was obsessed with fast and noisy punk rock music . The louder and faster, the better, but I was also becoming more and more interested in the North Texas music scene. Local radio station, KDGE The Edge would occasionally release a CD entitled Tales From The Edge that would in the end, consist of 11 volumes that were curated by DJ/Music Director George Gimarc. Each volume focused on music and bands from North Texas with a slight dabbling into the Austin music scene.
It was on Volume 7 where I first heard Hagfish's Minit Maid. It was fast, loud, and to the point. In fact it was only 1:52 long, which meant you could put it on repeat, listen to it a few times, and still not be near the length of anything Metallica was putting out at the time. But I desired more, so I sought out their first official album Buick Men.
Here's what's great about Buick Men; It's the perfect collection of songs, that are quick (the longest being Hose at 3:04), rambunctious, but yet friendly enough that my mom enjoyed listening to them and was even caught singing them back. Which always made me giggle because several of the tracks are laced with salty sexual undertones. Buick Men was, and still is, at the top of my rotation since it's release. Unfortunately it is no longer in print, but many of the tracks were updated and re-recorded to be included on their follow up Rocks Your Lame Ass.
If you would like to know more about the history of the band, the ups and downs, breakups and reunions, check out this Wikipedia page for them.
On June 21st 2014, Hagfish returned to the stage for the first time in almost 8 years at Three Links in Deep Ellum. Long time friends Bobgoblin opened the show, along with Blank Men. Bobgoblin was another Dallas band that broke out on the scene in 1993 and immediately created a cult following with their post-punk new wave and anti-establishment stance with their music and their crazy uniforms/flight suits they would wear on stage. A perfect nostalgic fit for a Hagfish reunion.
The show was sold out, nut to butt, probably breaking fire code. The main door across the front of Three Links was open to Elm St, and when Hagfish took the stage, the sidewalk outside quickly filled up. At one point in the night the crowd outside had grown to include the fenced off smoking area at Trees across the street, and when Hagfish played their most mainstream/radio hit, Stamp, there was a multi-venue sing-a-long that covered both sides of Elm Street. Absolutely awesome.
From a photographers stand point it was horrible. There was no where to walk or move to, thus all of my shots came from one location on the left side of the stage. But from a music fans stand point, it was an incredible night seeing some old friends playing songs that were the soundtrack to your life. I really hope there isn't an 8 year lapse before we see this 4 piece rock our lame ass again.
