Impeccable, Lubbock

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Heavy metal can come out of the most surprising of places.

Like Lubbock, Texas.

Lubbock is a town that so often gets railed as close-minded and holier-than-thou. And yet over and over it has produced artists that have pushed the boundaries and led the way... Buddy Holly, Tommy Hancock, the Maines Brothers, the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, the Flatlanders, Reo Speedealer, et al.

In late August of 1979 Lubbock's hard rocking Impeccable laid down 7 tracks for the Houston based GBC label. Though not the only release by members of the band- just the year previous they had self-released a single as Axxe- this would be the only release by this particular foursome. Recorded live from the club Rox the production team does an admirable job of giving this recording a studio clarity.

6 originals and a remake of "Johnny B. Goode" almost a full decade before Judas Priest would do the same. It is a reference to Judas Priest, as well as Van Halen, that is found within the halls of psychedelia and weirdness of the Acid Archives. I don't hear Van Halen myself, but as mentioned in another review found on the 'net I do hear Geddy Lee of Rush and hear the strains of UFO as well.

Impeccable- with this lineup- would not go far beyond this point. And as their fans might say "That Sux!" There would be a release on a local radio/club comp in the 80s. Again... a live track. True shame these guys didn't get into the studio.

An Impeccable testimonial:
I lived in Hereford and was 11 or 12 years old when me and a buddy stole Live on the Rox from his older brother who worked at a radio station. We thought it was the greatest, but I don't know whatever happened to that vinyl." -Michael H. Clovis, N.M.

Vocalist Donnie Allison is probably better known for his stint in power pop combo the Nelsons and more recently for his his role as Lubbock's favorite son in the local production of "The Buddy Holly Story". Donnie passed away on May 24, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

Riff master Darren Welch soldiers on in the small world of Lubbock hard rock and can be found on that space with a batch of his most recent creations.

Here's a page dedicated to the yesteryears of Lubbock's rock scene. Includes video of Impeccable which was shot in the post Allison/Welch-era. Also check out the video by Reaction... they rawk!!!