Asylum Street Spankers

The Asylum Street Spankers are named for a street in Austin, Texas, that once led to the State Asylum. They've been called a postmodern jug band and "Hee-Haw for hipsters," among other things. They use fiddles, resonator guitars and even a saw, one of five instruments key contributor Christina Marrs has taught herself. Their music is drawn mostly from the early 20th century, yet many of the lyrics aren't suitable for radio -- they're a bit too naughty.
Founded over ten years ago at the Dabbs hotel along the river in Llano, Texas, the Asylum Street Spankers stand as one of the America's most distinctive groups. Defiantly acoustic, fiercely independent and absurdly good, the Spankers have been led by founders Christina Marrs and Wammo from being a country-blues revival act playing happy hours in Austin, through nearly 40 musicians, endless touring and constant evolution to being an internationally renowned underground institution. Fueled by an ethos born of their punk roots, Marrs and Wammo have built their lives around making unique music that surprises and entertains. Both new releases, Mercurial and Sideshow Fez, prove that their shared vision of the Asylum Street Spankers - smart, challenging music, sly, sophisticated showmanship and determined inventiveness - succeeds on every count.
Location: Concert on the Main Stage.