Sons Of Texas Brings Texas-Sized Intensity to Michigan

Sons of Texas performing at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan on Thursday, February 20, 2020. (Photo credit: Mike Shaler)

MIKE SHALER | Go Venue Magazine

Rock and roll fans gathered up at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan on February, 20, 2020 to rage out to some heavy music.  The Sons of Texas are on their “The Resurgence” tour, bringing along Sunflower Dead and local group Vicariant to kick off the mayhem.

Vicariant has been rocking the local scene since 2012 and have gained a following.  With a steadfast urgency to their music, it draws you in as a listener and gets you rocking along.  With Zak Held on guitar, Mike Roberts on drums, Matt Gilson on guitar, Jake Morrison on bass and Brandon Curry on vocals, Vicariant is continuing to prove why they are persevering and rocking away with fun fueled music that gets the fans hyped up.

Sunflower Dead was next.  It had been a few years since I’ve seen Sunflower Dead and the first thing, I noticed was they no longer wore the white makeup on their faces that made them look wicked.  There were also a couple different band members with Brett Weir on drums and Evan McKeever on bass guitar to go with Jaboo on guitar who looks like a wild man with his long hair and beard and lead singer Michael Del Pizzo whose vocals have taken more of a serious tone as he croons into the microphone.  Del Pizzo still jammed out on the accordion and had the crowd rocking along.  Sunflower Dead is touring in support of their latest album C O M A, which is their most intense album to date.  Sunflower Dead’s fans, known as Evil Seeds are basking in the radiance from what Sunflower Dead churns out.  No more makeup but still wicked as ever, Sunflower Dead rocks.

Sons Of Texas have performed at The Machine Shop numerous times over the past several years as a support act for other bands.  It was nice to finally see Sons Of Texas headlining their own tour as these guys have certainly paid their dues and earned their time in the headliner slot.  Sons of Texas plays a blend of in your face metal with a dash of blues that is expertly executed by Jes De Hoyos on lead guitar, Jon Olivarez on guitar, Nick Villarreal on bass, Mike Villareal on drums and Mark Morales on vocals.

Fans crowded as close as they could get to the stage to feel that intensity Sons Of Texas riffed out.  Fresh off the release of their three song EP, ‘Resurgence’, Sons Of Texas has no short supply of songs to keep the audience entertained.  With new songs like “Resurgence”, “Spoils of War”, “Lock stock & Barrel” to older songs, “Blameshift”, “Feed The Need” and “Baptized In The Rio Grande”, amongst others.  Touching on a bit of ZZ Top showing off those bluesy rock chops to blasting out “I’m Broken”, that would make Pantera proud.

Sons Of Texas is one band that always brings it 100%.  Which is why they are one of the best live bands to see.  And they are one of the most personable bands I’ve seen as they mingle with fans after the show, it’s like a family reunion when Sons Of Texas plays The Machine Shop.  I’ll be looking forward to the next reunion.

Sons of Texas


Sunflower Dead


Vicariant

All images © Mike Shaler
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