The Donkeys rolled into Austin supporting their new album, Ride the Black Wave, perhaps having ridden it too long and not sure what day it was, to a packed audience indoors at Mohawk last night. “Man, it’s so great that all you guys came out on a Sunday…I mean Friday!” cheered drummer-singer Sam Sprague before eventually realizing it was Monday. The crowd, who bought rounds of PBRs and cheap shots of whiskey for the band, didn’t help restore brain cells but certainly vibed and sang along to the energetic San Diego four-piece who locked in with each other, feeding off the energy the crowd was emanating. A swaying boogie of dudes and ladies held down the front of the stage, beckoning the band on, extending the weekend as far as the Donkeys could take it.
Local support was in the form of Surly Gates (whom I missed) and JC & Co. (whom I loved). The latter bounced through a sometimes-awkward reunion-esque set (their first show in 15 months) to much applause from the very supportive crowd. The Zombies would be the most obvious influence for JC and Co., whose three of four members moonlight in Tele Novella, another local Austin band gaining traction.
The Donkeys have an obvious California homage to their sound, at once blending cosmic americana country a la Parsons and Co., to accessible Bay-area-era harmonies, to more contemporary SoCal grooves that would fit in at a pool party with enough reefer for you AND the band. Sun-bleached hair and reverbed chiming guitar solos sent out psychedelic swirl suggesting a greater cosmic plunge could be found, but the band kept it tight with each song following a concise arrangement and loose execution.
After more than a decade of making music and touring, The Donkeys are pros; each musician pulled off licks and fills with ease. Still, there’s a laid back carefreeness in the songs. Maybe it’s this ease that makes it seem too easy, that the always-smiling Sprague and Co. suggest “good enough.” Well what else do you need to smile? I hear they’re contagious, and the band can jam, man. I think good times were the main intention and judging by the enthusiasm of the packed crowd, the Donkeys have found a way to keep that California sun-tan rolling along with the touring van.
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