Wikipedia

Draft:Spanic Boys

The Spanic Boys are a father-son Americana rock group from Milwaukee.[1] Citing influences as varied as the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, the Byrds and the Beatles[1][2][3][4][5], the father-son duo of Tom and Ian Spanic first achieved notoriety in 1990 by being substituted at the last minute on Saturday Night Live to replace a boycotting Sinead O'Connor when she learned Andrew Dice Clay was the host. What followed were appearances on numerous other TV and radio programs, including Fresh Air with Terry Gross,[6] Late Night with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien as well as both US and European tours.[7][8] They released 8 albums between 1988 and 2007.[9] Tom Spanic died in 2016.[10]

History

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1986-1990 Formation and Early Release

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Tom and Ian first started playing together in bars around Milwaukee while Ian was still in high school.[2] In 1988 they released their debut self-titled record Spanic Boys[11] on the now defunct Milwaukee-based Permanent Records[12].[13] Writer Ed Ward from Rolling Stone Magazine had a copy of the record and invited them to South By Southwest (SXSW) in 1989 to do a show.[2][3] MTV did a feature on the band and several offers followed, and they ended up signing with Rounder Records.[1][2]

1990-1994 Rounder Records and TV appearances

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In 1990 Rounder launched the band's first record on that label, Spanic Boys[14],[15] to much critical attention, recognized for their hard-driving, twin Telecaster sound and impeccable harmony vocals, or in the words of one critic, "country rock sweeter than Almost Home cookies."[16][17][18][4][3]In May 1990, Sinead O'Connor left Saturday Night Live 2 days before airing due to her concerns about Andrew Dice Clay as the host. SNL bandleader G.E. Smith remembered hearing the band's first record and called Tom up out of the blue to ask them to appear.[5] It was the highest rated episode of Saturday Night Live at that time.[4][19]

The band released Strange World[20] on Rounder Records in 1991, receiving positive reviews for their vocal harmonies, twin guitar licks and songwriting,[21][22][23] and launching a US tour.[24][25][26][27][28] They appeared on Late Night with David Letterman on December 13, 1991, performing their song "Strange World," and surprising both Letterman and viewers alike by ripping the strings off their Fender Telecasters at the end of their performance.

In 1992 Rounder reissued the band's out-of-print first album on Permanent Records with the title Early Spanic Boys,[29] which was noted for it's "raw and raucous rockabilly," timeless sound and familial harmonies.[30][31][32] In reviewing this release, David Wild from Rolling Stone said they were "one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in tthe land."[33]

The band released Dream Your Life Away,[34] in 1993, their last record on Rounder, and toured throughout the US to support it.[35][36][37][19] Critics noted the influences of the Byrds and psychadelia on their fourth album, and a move more toward a cutting edge, with some of their best songrwriting to date and lucid production.[37][38][39] While touring to support Dream Your Life Away, the band performed their song "Face the Facts" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in June 1994.

Late 1990s - 2000s - Spanic Family Album and subsequent releases

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The band took a slight detour into a more country sound in 1996, adding steel guitar and the vocals of Tom's cousin Butch Westphal to the mix and tweaking the band's name to the Spanic Family, releasing Spanic Family Album[40] on East Side Digital.[41] Critics appreciated the three-part harmonies, and classic, unpretentious songs.[42][43][44][45] The band continued to tour nationally and in Europe.[46]

In 1998 the band decided to self-release a limited edition signed CD, Walk Through Fire[47] on Panic Button Records.[48]

In 2001 the band released their seventh album, Torture,[49] on Checkered Past Records.[50] Recorded in their own studio,[51] the band worked with Chicago's Brad Elvis and Melanie X on drums and bass, respectively, on this album. Critics noted "tortured yet tuneful songs," highlighted by the band's tight harmonies, and aggressive hooks.[52][53][54][55]

The band's eighth album, Sunshine,[56] was self-released in 2007 on Cinaps Records, featuring Brad Elvis on drums and T-Bone Wolk on bass. Critics noted its foundation of roots rock and Americana, wicked guitar licks, and that the band sounds like some 'lost 60s era garage band," but not dated.[57][58][59] One of the songs from the record, "Secret," was picked by USA Today's music critic Ken Barnes as one of the 10 intriguing tracks from the present, past and near future.[60]

In 2016 Tom Spanic died peacefully in his home at the age of 69.[10]

Members

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Tom Spanic - vocals, guitars

Ian Spanic - vocals, guitars

Discography

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Albums

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  • Spanic Boys,[11] Permanent Records, 1988
  • Spanic Boys,[14] Rounder Records, 1990
  • Strange World,[20] Rounder Records, 1991
  • Early Spanic Boys,[29] Rounder Records (re-release), 1992
  • Dream Your Life Away,[34] Rounder Records, 1993
  • Spanic Family Album,[40] East Side Digital, 1996
  • Walk Through Fire,[47] Panic Button, 1998
  • Torture,[49] Checkered Past Records, 2001
  • Sunshine,[56] Cinaps, 2007

Singles & EPs

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  • Heartache After Heartache / Lookin' So Fine,[61] Panic Button, 1986

Soundtracks

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 Wild, Matt (March 16, 2023). "MKE Music Rewind: Spanic Boys, "Face The Facts" (1991)". Milwaukee Record.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Skelley, Richard. "Spanic Boys Biography". allmusic.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 3 Ruben, David (July 7, 1991). "Like father, like son". The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, CA. p. 186.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. 1 2 3 King, Peter B. (June 24, 1990). "'SNL' opens door for Spanic Boys". The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA. p. 141.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. 1 2 "Last minute gig on Saturday Night bouys Spanic Boys". Chicago Tribune. August 9, 1990.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ "Father and Son Duo "The Spanic Boys"". FreshAir.com. May 8, 1990.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ "Spanic Boys Tours and Concerts". concertarchives.org.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "Spanic Boys Concert Setlists and Tour Dates". setlist.fm.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Spanic Boys". discogs.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. 1 2 Levy, Piet (March 18, 2016). "Obituary: Tom Spanic remembered for music career spent with his son". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Spanic Boys". April 5, 1988 – via www.discogs.com.
  12. ↑ "Permanent Records (24) Discography". Discogs.
  13. ↑ Spanic Boys - Spanic Boys, 1988, retrieved 2026-02-15
  14. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Spanic Boys". April 5, 1990 – via www.discogs.com.
  15. ↑ Spanic Boys - Spanic Boys, 1990, retrieved 2026-02-15
  16. ↑ Schoemer, Karen (December 7, 1990). "A Double Bill Brings Back Traditions". The New York Times, New York, NY. p. 87. Retrieved February 21, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ Heim, Chris (April 26, 1990). "Spanic Boys, Spanic Boys, Rounder Records (3 1/2 stars)". Chicago Tribune.
  18. ↑ "Spanic Boys, Spanic Boys, Rounder Records (3 stars)". Philadelphia Enquirer. April 15, 1990. p. 88.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. 1 2 Masley, Ed (April 8, 1994). "Jammin' with Junior". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA. p. 57.
  20. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Strange World". April 5, 1991 – via www.discogs.com.
  21. ↑ Allen, Greg (April 6, 1990). "Spanic Boys define 'alternative rock'". Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ. p. 28.
  22. ↑ Beach, Patrick (April 23, 1992). "To bowl or rock 'n' roll?". The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, IA. p. 58.
  23. ↑ Gabriel, Larry (December 26, 1991). "The Spanic Boys are one group that's down-to-earth". The Waukesha County Freeman, Waukesha, WI. p. 12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ Heim, Chris (December 26, 1991). "Spanic Boys - Strange World review". The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL. p. 59.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Gabriel, Larry (January 2, 1992). "Spanic Boys stay basic in a 'Strange World'". Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI. p. 18.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ↑ Brace, Eric (March 5, 1991). "Spanic Boys' father-son rock". The Washington Post, Washington D.C.
  27. ↑ Hochman, Steve (July 15, 1991). "Spanic Boys show their passion for oldies at Club Lingerie". Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA. p. 63.
  28. ↑ Kalmanson, Laurie (June 12, 1992). "Real instruments and loud music are trademarks of Milwaukee band". The Wichita Eagle, Wichita, KS. p. 23.
  29. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Early Spanic Boys". April 5, 1992 – via www.discogs.com.
  30. ↑ "Spanic Boys - Early Spanic Boys". The Times, Trenton, NJ. January 17, 1993. p. 121.
  31. ↑ Harrison, Tom (March 25, 1993). "Spanic Boys - Early Spanic Boys". The Province, Vancouver, BC, Canada. p. 72.
  32. ↑ Morse, Steve (December 31, 1992). "Spanic Boys - Early Spanic Boys". The Boston Globe, Boston, MA. p. 87.
  33. ↑ Wild, David (January 15, 1993). "Spanic Boys - Early Spanic Boys". News and Record, Greensboro, NC. p. 56.
  34. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Dream Your Life Away". April 5, 1993 – via www.discogs.com.
  35. ↑ "Cool show of the week". Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY. June 3, 1994. p. 29.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ Leary, Sean (January 18, 1994). "Spanics' frustration all but musical". The Dispatch, Moline, IL. p. 13.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. 1 2 Gettelman, Parry (January 21, 1994). "The Spanic Boys - Dream Your Life Away (4 stars)". The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL. p. 70.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ↑ Harmon, Rick (September 9, 1993). "Spanic Boys - Dream Your Life Away". The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery AL. p. 40.
  39. ↑ Himes, Geoffrey (June 9, 1994). "SPANICS' HARMONIES SPARK LUCID 'DREAM'". The Washington Post, Washington, DC. Retrieved February 21, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Spanic Family Album". April 5, 1996 – via www.discogs.com.
  41. ↑ Gilstrap, Peter (May 25, 1995). "Spanic Father Tom, Son Ian and Cousin Butch Keep It All in the Family". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved February 21, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ↑ Gilmer, Vicky (December 22, 1994). "Spanic Family - Spanic Family Album". The Birmingham News, Birmingham, AL. p. 154.
  43. ↑ Wild, David (January 13, 1995). "Spanic Boys - Spanic Family Album". News and Record, Greensboro, NC. p. 70.
  44. ↑ Kening, Dan (November 18, 1994). "Concert Line". Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL. p. 140.
  45. ↑ Patterson, Jim (April 21, 1995). "It's all geek to the Spanic Family". The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH. p. 101.
  46. ↑ "Industry Hotwire: Paramour Music - Dean Swett". Pollstar - The Concert Hotwire: 18. October 3, 1994.
  47. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Walk Through Fire". April 5, 1998 – via www.discogs.com.
  48. ↑ Tanzillo, Bobby (July 21, 2000). "What's up with Spanic Boys?". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved February 21, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. 1 2 "Spanic Boys - Torture". April 5, 2001 – via www.discogs.com.
  50. ↑ Fine, Eric (April 6, 2001). "Torture album review". Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ. p. 76.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ↑ Schultz, Barbara (November 1, 2001). "Lone Scout Studio". MixOnline. Retrieved February 21, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. ↑ Thomas, Rob (March 29, 2001). "Spanic Boys - Torture". The Capital Times, Madison, WI. p. 68.
  53. ↑ Piercy, Mike (April 5, 2001). "Spanic Boys - Torture". Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, VA. p. 58.
  54. ↑ Jorgensen, Chris (April 27, 2001). "Spanic Boys - Torture". The Billings Gazette, Billings, MT. p. 47.
  55. ↑ Fine, Eric (April 6, 2001). "Spanic Boys - Torture". Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ. p. 72.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  56. 1 2 "Spanicboys - Sunshine". April 5, 2007 – via www.discogs.com.
  57. ↑ Leslie, Karl (April 26, 2007). "Spanic Boys - Sunshine". St Cloud Times, St Cloud, MN. p. 49.
  58. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (January 9, 2007). "Spanic Boys - Sunshine". USA Today. p. 39.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. ↑ Schlesier, Jacquilynne (2007). "Spanic Boys - Sunshine". Country Standard Time.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  60. ↑ Barnes, Ken (May 22, 2007). "the playlist". USA Today. p. 37.
  61. ↑ "Those Spanic Boys - Heartache After Heartache / Lookin' So Fine". April 5, 1986 – via www.discogs.com.
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