Austin Music People

#39 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 12 - Finding Purpose (The Finale)

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we discuss Vernon Reid asking Bevis to manage Living Colour, a role that came with both excitement and shock. He shares how he attacked that role, ultimately connecting with Bill Ham, longtime manager of ZZ Top, who agreed to work with the band. As they pushed forward with the album Shade, Bill’s sudden passing became yet another turning point. 
The conversation continues with the story of how Bevis, his sister, and Dr. Thomas Stanley developed an educational curriculum on the contributions of Black musicians to American pop culture for the School of Rock franchise; a project now being prepared for publication beyond the School of Rock umbrella. After a halted TV project with Mercury Charlie during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, his focus shifted toward advocacy and service.
As this multi-part journey comes to a close, Bevis reflects on a chance encounter at the South Austin Gym that eventually led him to finding a passion in mental health advocacy. We discuss his community involvement as an Advisory Board member of the SIMS Foundation, and his current role as a Peer Support Specialist at Integral Care, where he supports individuals with mental health and substance use challenges who are found incompetent to stand trial.
After decades of navigating the chaos, triumphs, and hard lessons of a life in music, Bevis’ story ends in a place of purpose - using his experience to help others find their way forward.
Sampled Songs: "Format" - Banzai Kik, "Words (just get in the way)" - One Fell Swoop

#38 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 11 - Deux Voix Ltd. and Artist Development

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, Bevis reflects on playing what would be his final show at the Continental Club and asking himself a simple question: where did he want to be in ten years? We discuss his curiosity for artist management and development, and how that curiosity sparked the creation of Deux Voix Ltd.—a venture that eventually brought him to work with Saturday’s Radar, Death, and Francis Mbappe.
We continue with stories from that chapter, including having dinner with Metallica, along with memories from time spent around the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The conversation wraps with an invitation to Hidalgo, Texas to reconnect with Living Colour while they were on tour with Aerosmith, and a question that would change the trajectory of Bevis' career. 
Sampled Songs: "Debtor's Prism" - The Paradigm and "Fool In Your Eyes" - Banzai Kik

#37 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 10 - Coming Back to Austin and Closing a Chapter

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we discuss his move back to Austin and forming The Chill Factor with Denny Freeman, bassist Sarah Brown, and drummer George Rains - all longtime contributors to Antone's. As fate would have it, Ray Benson reached out with an offer to work as a hired gun, pulling Bevis to San Antonio and into another shift in direction. Reconnecting with old friend Kurt Otto in San Antonio led to Rawhead TechX, an ambitious electronic-leaning project they even tried to take to Nile Rodgers in New York.
Momentum continued when Vernon Reid called with news that Living Colour’s manager was interested in working with Bevis, opening the door to the Steel Wheels tour with The Rolling Stones and unforgettable backstage moments, including a Dallas stop that felt like a homecoming for his Austin circle. While all of this was happening, he was still heavily involved in the Austin scene; recording at Arlyn Studios with Tommy Shannon and Reese Wynans, and working in other projects like Solid Senders, The Paradigm, One Fell Swoop, The Cosmopolitans, and Dino Lee’s Luv Johnson.
We close with Bevis reflecting on the ending of his music career, and the gratitude and clarity he carries despite it not unfolding the way he once imagined.
Sampled Songs: "Thunderdome" - Rawhead TechX, "Really Love to Know" - Banzai Kik, and "Words (just get in the way)" - One Fell Swoop

#36 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 9 - Leaving NYC and the "Sensity of Displacement"

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, Bevis shares how Whoopi Goldberg helped him get out of his contract with Jack Douglas and reflects on discovering what sobriety could truly do for him. He talks about distancing himself from other musicians during a difficult period, the “sensitivity of displacement” he experienced, and the personal reconciliation that followed. We also hear about the roles that Kim and Joe Dallesandro played during that chapter of his life.
The conversation dives into the art of creating a rock and roll persona, and what really happened in New York, which were details that didn’t fully come to light until 2009. Bevis also recounts a conversation with Denny Freeman, and returning to Austin in 1988 to work with him, marking another turning point in his journey.
Sampled Song: "Noisy Music" - Banzai Kik
 

#35 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 8 - The Record Plant and The Unknown

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
We open this episode by revisiting the tragic story that closed Part 7, exploring how that event reshaped Bevis’ world. From there, we continue the conversation around working with Jack Douglas, what the partnership meant to Bevis on a personal level, and his experiences recording at the legendary Record Plant.
Once again, Bevis’ grit and resilience are put to the test as another distressing chapter unfolds. This time, stemming from a behind the scenes battle unbeknownst to Bevis, that would eventually lead to him leaving New York City. 
This episode is filled with hard-earned lessons and offers the first real glimpse into how mental health becomes a central thread to Bevis’ story. 
Sampled Song: "In My Dreams (I Fly)" - Banzai Kik

#34 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 7 - BRC Orchestra, CBGB, and Jack Douglas

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we dive into the early days of Bevis' next band, Banzai Kik, and continue our conversation about the Black Rock Coalition and his pivotal role in the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra. He shares stories from playing the Stalking Heads of ’87 Festival at the legendary CBGB and reflects on how quickly momentum began to build from then on. 
We discuss the introduction of producer Jack Douglas, known for his work with John Lennon, Aerosmith, and others, and how success no longer felt distant - it was tangible. Years of hard work and belief were finally paying off. But just as everything was coming together, a sudden and tragic loss of a family member forced Bevis to face a fork in the road. 
Sampled Song: "Until the Sky Turns Light" - Banzai Kik

#33 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 6 - Moving to New York City and the Black Rock Coalition

Bevis. M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we discuss his next band, The Bats, hitting a "glass ceiling" in Austin, Lou Ann Barton introducing him to Steven Van Zandt, and how that introduction, a house fire, and divine intervention came together to take Bevis to New York City.
We continue the conversation with his first couple months in New York: plans falling through, taking an internship at Media Sound studios, meeting and working with Greg Tate (writer, The Village Voice) and Vernon Reid (guitarist, Living Colour), and finding his "lost tribe" through the Black Rock Coalition.
Sampled Song: "Balloonhead" by Bevis Griffin & C.K. Bailey - The Paradigm

#32 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 5 - Punk Rock History and Austin's Blues Scene

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we dive into his approach to songwriting and the artists who shaped his sound - from Humble Pie and Jimi Hendrix, to the Sex Pistols. Bevis shares a deep history lesson on the controversy surrounding the Sex Pistols and unpacks the cultural shift from punk rock into experimental rock.
We discuss the influence of guitarist Chris "C.K." Bailey on The Skyscrapers, then turn the conversation to the burgeoning blues scene in Austin at the time; including his relationship with the Vaughan brothers, and the venues that helped define Austin’s blues identity - from the Rome Inn to Antone's.
Sampled Song: "Slinky" by Bevis Griffin & C.K. Bailey - The Paradigm

#31 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 4 - Austin's Punk Scene and Becoming a Front Man

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we get into his next bands, The Skyscrapers and The Shades, opening for The Ramones and The Clash, meeting his longtime friend and guitarist Chris "C.K." Bailey, finding his groove as a front man, the formation of the punk rock scene in Austin, and the role that venues like Raul's and the Continental Club played. 
We continue with a conversation around Bevis' favorite part about Austin music back then, the company he kept, and the formation of the Austin Chronicle. 
Sampled Songs: "Intravenous" by Bevis Griffin & C.K. Bailey - The Paradigm and "Laurie Two Tone" by The Shades

#30 - Bevis M. Griffin - Part 3 - Franklin's Mast, Resiliency, and Rebellion

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond.
In this episode, we discuss his move to Austin and joining Franklin's Mast, a band that emerged from the chaos of life in a makeshift warehouse, and a pivotal moment that came when Franklin's Mast entered a local battle of the bands at the South Door, a nightclub that attracted the crème de la crème of Austin’s musicians.
We also discuss playing the fraternity party circuit at universities around Texas, the difficulty of navigating cultural and racial differences on the road, the lacking music infrastructure in Austin, and end with a conversation about how Austin musicians supported each other in those formative years. 
Sampled Songs: "Cloudland" by One Fell Swoop