When you think of Texas trios, you think of ZZ Top, Grady and those road warriors known as Dixie Witch. After forming in the fall of 1999, the guys hit the road in 2000 and never looked back. Only to stop and record a 5 song demo, that attracted national attention. In 2001, they signed with a Texas label and released their debut “Into The Sun” CD. They ended up touring with Alabama Thunderpussy and Suplecs, destroying clubs in towns from coast to coast, with their amazing live show. What’s really amazing is the fact that drummer Trinidad Leal not only bashes out a heavy beat, but he handles most of the lead vocals. Bassist Chris “CC” Christenson also sings as well. Add to this, the Texas chainsaw attack of axeman Clayton Mills and you get some of the hardest and dirtiest SoRock that Tejas has to offer. Finally, 2003 had Detroit’s SmallStone label signing the band up and saw the release of “One Bird, Two Stones”, only to be followed by their latest CD, “Smoke & Mirrors”. With the help of some strong production from Joel Hamilton (Unsane) the CD sounds like it should. He has managed to capture the tightness of the band as a whole, like they were playing in the same room all at once. The opening track “Set The Speed” not only sets the speed, but picks up the pace, halfway through, ending with a blistering guitar solo. Sure there’s some speed, and songs like “S.O.L.” and “Gunfight” bring to mind Motorhead. But this band is all about mixing it up, like BBQ sauce and beer. At times some of the vocals on this CD sound like Monster Magnet. Remember it’s not all about speed. Check out the slowed down blues of “Out In The Cold” or the Black Sabbath Black Sabbath groove of “Ballinger Cross”. There’s the mid tempo Southern feel of “Bridges”, that leads into the long intro to “What You Want”, a song that is covered in the smooth sauce of some thick Slide guitar. I’m sure the song “Thursday” will have the crowd rocking at a club near you. How are these guys as musicians you may ask? Well, Dixie Witch’s third CD comes to an end with the instrumental “Last Call”. Thanks to Clayton Mills trippy wah pedal, not unlike Robin Trower, we are left wanting more. So look for Dixie Witch to bring their Texas magic to a club near you. In the meantime pick up “smoke & mirrors” and check out www.smallstone.com for more.