Nervebreakers, a Texas punk band active from the late seventies to early eighties, is often regarded as a pioneering force in the Southwest punk scene. Initially formed as a high school garage band, they began by covering songs from the sixties and early seventies. What set them apart was their eclectic repertoire, which included music from the British Invasion, bubblegum pop, punk icons like the MC5, and traditional country artists such as George Jones.
Their diverse influences coalesced into a powerful sound characterized by a dual guitar dynamic, a driving rhythm section, and an energetic vocalist. As they began to craft their own original material, the band was well-positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning punk movement of the mid-seventies.
A pivotal moment in their career occurred on July 24, 1977, when they opened for the Ramones at The Electric Ballroom in Dallas. In 1978, they further solidified their reputation by outshining the Sex Pistols at The Longhorn Ballroom. The following year, they made their mark when the Clash performed at the Palladium in Dallas, clearly demonstrating their unique presence in the punk landscape. By 1980, the Police had also taken notice of the Nervebreakers, thanks in part to a feature in Rolling Stone's Random Notes. Their performances garnered attention across notable publications like NME, Melody Maker, and High Times, establishing them as a significant Texas band within the punk rock scene.
Nervebreakers were not just performers; they were rooted in their Texas identity and brought a distinct 'twang' to punk rock, capturing their sound in recordings. In the pre-D.I.Y. era of 1978, they self-released the EP "Politics," which included the track "My Girlfriend is a Rock." This song gained traction in cities such as San Francisco, Sacramento, and Boston, later being covered by bands like the Angry Samoans and Wool. Furthermore, in 2003, the punk band Spector 45 drew inspiration from it to create "My Girlfriend's in Iraq."
Their subsequent releases included the 7-inch single "Hijack the Radio" b/w "Why Am I So Flipped," as well as the black and blue vinyl "Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls" b/w a cover of the lesser-known Rolling Stones track "I’d Much Rather Be with the Boys." They also contributed two songs, "So Sorry" (under the name Barry Kooda Combo) and "I Love Your Neurosis," to the local punk rock compilation "Are We Too Late for the Trend," released by ESR. This compilation featured other local acts from the late seventies, including the Telefones, The Vomit Pigs, The Skuds, and Superman’s Girlfriend.
While they were acknowledged as a leading band locally, Nervebreakers were also admirers of earlier Texas musicians like the 13th Floor Elevators. This admiration led them to connect with psychedelic rock pioneer Roky Erickson, who had just exited a mental institution. They offered to open shows for him and provide backup, helping to reintegrate the legendary musician into the public eye. This collaboration culminated in the release of "Roky Erickson and the Nervebreakers Live at the Palladium in 1979" on the French label New Rose Records.
In 1980, Nervebreakers embarked on their most ambitious project yet, recording a full-length album titled "We Want Everything." Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, this effort went unreleased. As individual interests and side projects emerged, the band gradually disbanded. Each member continued to pursue various musical endeavors; vocalist Thom "Tex" Edwards led bands such as "The Swingin’ Cornflake Killers," "The Loafin' Hyenas," and most recently "Out on Parole." Lead guitarist Mike Haskins has fronted the instrumental spaghetti western band "The Big Guns" for the past decade, while guitarist Barry Kooda enjoyed success with the late 80's group "Yeah Yeah Yeah" and was one of three front men in the 1990's country band "The Cartwrights."
The album "We Want Everything" was finally released in 1994 by the Texas reissue label Existential Vacuum, receiving positive reviews. This was followed by a reunion show at Trees in Deep Ellum, after which the album was picked up by garage/punk label Get Hip Records for worldwide distribution. In 2000, the Italian label Rave Up Records released "Hijack the Radio," a collection of singles, rarities, and live performances. Years after laying the groundwork for numerous Texas bands, Nervebreakers began to receive the recognition they deserved.
In 2009, after over thirty years, Nervebreakers reunited with all five original members: vocalist Thomas "T. TEX" Edwards, lead guitarist Mike Haskins, rhythm guitarist Barry "KOODA" Huebner, bassist Bob "WILDMAN" Childress, and drummer Carl Edmund Giesecke. They compiled an anthology titled "Why Am I So Flipped?" featuring previously unreleased material, along with a new project entitled "Face Up to Reality." This reunion was driven by their shared history and the desire to reconnect with their roots. The journey of Nervebreakers continues, with exciting developments on the horizon.
