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The Coffee Sergeants
As of 2020 it had been 8 years since The Coffee Sergeants released their previous release, the sprawling Purple Martin Sanctuary. Lo & behold, oops they did again the eclectic psych-driven ear candy, Phantom Verses. It ended up on the Austin Chronicles Top 10 list, as have all their other releases over the past 30 years as a BAND. Formed in 1989, they have been playing live in venues across Austin & beyond. Carey Bowman inarguably plays a dominant role in the sound & vision of the Coffee Sergeants, writing & singing most of the songs, playing distinctive, plaintive, swirling lead guitar. But, they are a BAND, with particularly significant contributions coming from Bowman’s bandmates, keyboardist Mike Barnett & Doug Spinks on drums. Bassist Spencer Berry died suddenly as the recording sessions drew to a close, making Purple Martin Sanctuary, something of an epitaph for band’s quiet, gentle sidekick. It took two new members to take Spencer’s place, guitarist Jimi Teasdale & Terri Teasdale, on harmonium, an antiquated proto-synthesizer lending to the band's organic psychedelic air. Austin's Chris Vreeland stepped in on bass. Post COVID, 30+ years & counting - still a BAND!
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