See the Texas Gentlemen’s Slasher-Flick Video for New Song ‘Pain’
A slasher flick is no place for a gentleman, but that’s exactly where the rotating band of Dallas musicians known as the Texas Gentlemen find themselves in the new music video for their song “Pain.” Directed by Horatio Baltz, the video finds several members of the group meeting a bloody end at the hands of a trigger-happy groupie.
The Texas Gentlemen have mostly made their way so far as background players, including backing Kris Kristoffersen last summer for his first appearance at Newport Folk Festival in 47 years. But the guns-for-hire ensemble, whose large lineup often changes from show to show and features multiple guest vocalists, are finally prepping to step out in their own right, with their debut LP, TX Jelly, due to be released September 15th by New West Records.
“Pain,” written and sung by pianist Daniel Creamer, is a perfect introduction to their rootsy mix of Southern rock and folk, an upbeat cross between the Band and early-Seventies-era George Harrison. “‘Pain’ was one of the first cuts we did in the studio,” organist Beau Bedford tells Rolling Stone Country. “As timeless blues and folk songs go, it embodies the hard times we all endure – young and old, rich and poor – complete with off-beat comedy and tragedy.”
The comedy and tragedy get amped up in the music video, which Bedford – who meets a Psycho-style death by shower stabbing in the video – says was inspired by the band’s love of David Lynch and cheesy, low-budget B movies. “Sultry dancing, fake blood and velvet curtains: you’ve got a Texas Gentlemen video,” he says.
Before TX Jelly drops, the Texas Gentlemen – who have previously backed up Jonathan Tyler and Paul Cauthen in the studio, before cutting their own record at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama – will be returning to Newport Folk Fest next weekend to take part in the festival’s tribute to Chuck Berry. The group will open two shows for Eric Church in their home state in September.