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Agony Column


Metal
Band Members
Richie Turner - Vocals
Stuart Lawrence - Guitar
Chainsaw Billy / Paul Willis- Bass
Charlie Brownell - Drums 

People are asking us what are you going to do now. Without further ado I would like to introduce our new commander of heavy artillery Generalissimo "Chris Alaniz." A.k.a. "El Tibiron", "The Hammerhead." The fact that he can actually play drums with his head is only the beginning of what's amazing about this guy. Agony Column has now officially been rocketed into a new dimension of sonic devastation and we can't wait to see you on the battlefield. HOORAA!!!!

Genre
Metal
Band Members
Richie Turner - Vocals
Stuart Lawrence - Guitar
Chainsaw Billy / Paul Willis- Bass
Charlie Brownell - Drums
Hometown
Austin
Record Label
Big Chief-Metal Blade, Koch
Short Description
iTunes: http://goo.gl/ywY01S
Google Play: http://goo.gl/CjmWOy
Amazon: http://goo.gl/BFcBaO
Long Description
HELLBILLY DEATHMETAL ONSLAUGHT
Current Location
Austin, TX
General Manager
Adam Brewer/Richard Turner
Influences
Richie here, Its hard for me to speak for everyone... Man the 70s had the best of both worlds for me I liked Zep, Jimi,The Who, Bowie, T-rex, Mot the Hople, Kiss,Then I got the Cramps, Ramones, NY Dolls, Stooges, Blackflag, DKs, Minor Threat Thats later ya but still the 70s Moving on to the 80s was Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, and a band no one ever heard of in like 84-85, Metallica. Stuart turned me on to most of that stuff...I didnt really care to listen to it, but he could play it! Holy shit! That sounded really cool. Anyway, one thing led to another. Lately Im really into Little Stevens Underground Garage its an easy fix for me, and Im all about easy. So I'll try to add to this list as time goes on. Dont think that just because I left your favorite punk or metal band out means that I've forgotten em. I probably listened to them, or got loaded with them at one time or another, Just kidding mom.
...jeez!
Band Interests
Beer-BBQ...Yes thats like one word. Lets see....ummmm... stuff I cant talk about...Oh yea, most of the guys like chicks. Me more than most. ...What else, work can be fun if you've got the right job. I love my friends. I am a lucky guy to know so many nice folks. Ill let everone else talk some soon about what there into. For now Ill see you out there. Richie
Phone
+1 512-545-1462
Website
http://AGONYCOLUMN.NET

Agony Column

Agony Column never exactly set the world on fire with their brand of "hellbilly" metal that rode in on the coattails of thrash and speed metal in the late 80s. This Austin based band was actually a bit better than many of the peripheral bands of the era, though not quite noteworthy enough to get a whole lot of notice. The band's debut, God, Guns and Guts is a moderately enjoyable slab of metal that has its strong moments, though the band's reliance on a basic songwriting formula keeps it from being a contender for 1989's "Album of the Year".

The band played up its southern roots, adopting such nicknames as "Devil Chicken" and "Bat Lord", though one would assume these guys had a better sense of humor about stage monikers than some of the Norwegian black metal bands that would emerge in the coming years. Of course, this is the only reference to Norwegian black metal in this entire review and let's face it, it's superfluous at best. Anyhow, Agony Column played a bit slower than some of their thrash metal counterparts, sticking to more chugging riffs and a touch of a groove. It should be noted they do not sound like any of the groove oriented bands that also emerged in the 90s. Vocalist Richie "Devil Chicken" Turner was truly far from gifted, yet he injects quite a bit of character into his thin, mildly growly delivery. The album's best track, "Cars, Sex and Violence", caught my ear back in 1989 on a metal radio show for its leftfield delivery. Another interesting moment is the blend of southern rock and blues on "Blackjack".

Agony Column’s self-proclaimed “Hellbilly Deathmetal Onslaught” began in 1987 at the stylistic crossroads of metal, punk, and double-barreled Southern rock. They were one of the few local acts that fit in seamlessly alongside both Back Room headbangers and co-op party art punks. Although vocalist Richie Turner, guitarist Stuart Lawrence, bassist Pawl “Crow” Willis, and drummer Charlie Brownell were an anomaly for their time, it’s easy to imagine them sharing bills with rebel raunch purveyors like Nashville Pussy had they formed a decade later. The Austin quartet initially signed with Passport, but the label went bankrupt before any Agony Column material was released. After signing with metal specialty label Big Chief, the band put out God, Guns & Guts in 1989. Between Turner’s lecherous screeching, Lawrence’s flying fretwork, and an all-meat rhythm section, Guts garnered widespread acclaim in underground metal circles on the strength of songs like “Bag O’ Bones” and “66 Six Guns (for Satan).” Their 1990 follow-up, Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, featured a definitive cover of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” along with battle-tested originals like “Hole to Hell” and “Crime and Punishment.” After a long period of inactivity, Agony Column released Way Back in the Woods in 1996 with Billy Dansfiell on bass. The band broke up in 1997 but played a reunion show in 2000. – Greg Beets



Hometown
Austin
Record Label
Big Chief-Metal Blade, Koch
Short Description
iTunes: http://goo.gl/ywY01S
Google Play: http://goo.gl/CjmWOy
Amazon: http://goo.gl/BFcBaO
Long Description
HELLBILLY DEATHMETAL ONSLAUGHT
Current Location
Austin, TX
General Manager
Adam Brewer/Richard Turner
Influences
Richie here, Its hard for me to speak for everyone... Man the 70s had the best of both worlds for me I liked Zep, Jimi,The W... See More
Band Interests
Beer-BBQ...Yes thats like one word. Lets see....ummmm... stuff I cant talk about...Oh yea, most of the guys like chicks. Me ... See More
Phone
+1 512-545-1462

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