At the Drive In and El Paso Legacies
El Paso is a quintessential border town, where the cultures of two countries influence each other in uncountable ways. The course of history has run through both sides of the border, and it continues to influence the city in hidden and obvious ways. It’s apparent in the food as well as the music, and some of the most exciting things here are found in the little nuances.
There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of nuance, however, in one of its most famous bands, At the Drive In . Their hard playing and very distinctive sound are very much on the surface, and if there’s any nuance here, it’s in the lyrics. It’s also here and there is the band’s famous changes, where the rhythms can shift suddenly and dynamically. It’s one of the trademarks that made them so infectious during their glory days.
Their time in the sun lasted longer than most post-hardcore punk bands, with a run that lasted from 1993 to 2001. In that time, they played a number of shows, and the best of these were in basements or clubs where they only played for very small crowds. They did have their share of big shows, too, but these would eventually contain the seeds that lead to the end of the music. They had a solid relationship with Fearless Records , the outfit that produced most of their albums, and they’re still a main feature in their line-up of great acts in their archives.
One of their most profound contributions to the music scene was their fearless and determined DIY attitude. Driving their own car thousands of miles, they played all over the country, pleasing the crowds with their eclectic mix. They did become frustrated with the same crowds, who just got more and more rowdy as time went on, until there eventually was a tragedy that haunted the band members. A bad car crash was also a contributing factor to the break-up.
There is talk of a reunion, as there usually is with interesting musicians. Although their long-term fans may not find them here while they’re staying in the city’s best hotels, El Paso continues to make great music, demonstrating remarkable contributions of its talented population.