By Mark Kneubuhl
Special to LIVE!
July 10, 2007

Chute Nine is a hard band to miss. Everything they do is big. They’ve got a BIG Texas country sound, they’re great entertainers with BIG personalities. Who could miss that BIG trailer-pulling R.V. parked in front of Blaine’s Pub (10 W. Harris St, San Angelo, Texas) over the weekend? The band entertained there for two nights, rocking the Harris Street watering hole BIG-time.

Chute Nine’s brand of music is a hard-diving, Texas country variety, described perfectly by one reviewer as, “Ranch-rockin.’” And after 5 years of touring at 11 miles per gallon, the Midland-based band has attracted a BIG fan base.

During their interview with LIVE!, one such groupie just couldn’t resist:

Fan: Excuse me fellas (holding a cell phone to her ear). I just called my friend and told her that you’re not going to believe who’s playing at Blaine’s… I’m here drinkin’ with Chute Nine!

Chute Nine (collectively): Cheers.

Fan: Remember, when y’all opened for Loverboy? I was the drunk that stayed outside all night, waiting to get your autograph… I know y’all think I’m weird…

Chute Nine: No, you’re not weird… we’ll have a good time tonight.

Fan (with a mischievous look in her eyes): You’re dammed right we will!

The fan was right. Throughout both sets, no warm-up was needed. The band never asked, they simply reached out and grabbed the audience, while the crowd happily surrendered.

This band seems to be doing everything right. They have a label in Auto Grind Records (BMI) and a promoter. They also have a promising debut CD, Love & Hate, in the starting blocks. But what makes them BIG is that they tour relentlessly.

“’80 Acres” is a song we wrote about the decision we made together with our wives, to just go for it,” said Jamey Kadrmas. The front-man singer and guitarist went on to explain that after playing the rodeo circuit for a few years they reached a fork in the road.

“I live on 80-acres and it takes money to do what we’re doing. All of us are betting the farm on this one,” he said.

“It’s down to two acres now,” joked guitarist, Glenn Espraza.

Speaking of 80 acres and doing it right, one aspect that stands out with this high-energy band is their vocals. Kadrmas, Stingray Jones (bass) and Mark Pavlica (keyboards) all sing spotlight on various tunes, but otherwise come together to sing outstanding harmony. In particular, a honky-tonk tune called “Hound Dog,” is a shining example of what three, well-tuned pair of vocal cords can do.

“We’re like the ‘un-band,’” said drummer MacKenzie Kerr. “We all have been married a long time, we are all really good friends, we all respect and admire each other and as a bonus, we get to play music.”

Last week, LIVE! interviewed the Austin-based band, The Afters, who are all married and have nine children between the four members.

Chute Nine has 12 kids between their five members, creating a children/band member ratio of 2.4, knocking off The Afters’ (2.25) and winning LIVE!’s coveted, “Most Children” award.

With the schedule they keep, you wouldn’t know it, but they’re all just down-home, family people; the wives, the children, the mortgage, the dog… oh yea, the dog…

The standout track on their Love & Hate album is the infectious, chart-bound single, “Mexican Dog”. It’s about a south-of-the-border love affair that ends up with the man loosing the senorita but gaining a dog. This song makes you dance, makes you laugh and gives you an uncontrollable urge to drink Cuervo Gold Margarita’s.

Now I got a Mexican dog
I can’t say his name,
He don’t come when I call.
When he’s not bitin’ He’s lickin’ his balls.
And I hate him right down to his fur,
But all I got left of her… Is this Mexican Dog

So I thought it might help if I bought him a toy at the store.
He was so grateful he left something for me on my floor.
I kicked him out every night,
But by dawn’s early light,
He was back, supporting some rancid smell.
I can’t take him back…
Cause I don’t have directions to Hell.

Other than “Mexican Dog,” the songs of Chute Nine are stamped with the simpler things that country life offers. “All of us have been friends since high school, we played in the marching band. We’re just small town folk,” said Kadrmas.

At the end of the interview, LIVE! asked if we could get some shots, when all five members turned quickly with enthusiasm and said, “Yes, by all means, lets get some shots!”

The bartender obliged, and then we took the pictures.

Hanging around Chute Nine, even having just met them, you get that feeling that you’re with a bunch of close friends that you’ve known for years.

They’re all great guys with a great Texas country sound.