Combine a hefty helping of Tex Mex conjunto, simmer with several parts Texas rock, add a daring dash of well-cured blues, and R&B riffs, and you’ve cooked up the tasty TexManiacs groove. Not to say that this group’s sound is for musical gourmets only… it is, “hip music everyone can relate to.”
Los Texmaniacs – feed the masses, with only the best in musical fare. Founded by Max Baca (bajo sexto, vocals), the TexManiacs are a product of his wide-ranging experience touring and recording with groups from his father’s family conjunto, Flaco Jimenez, the original Texas Tornados, Los Super Seven, and with The Rolling Stones. Max is a legend on the bajo sexto, a twelve-string guitar-like instrument, which customarily provides rhythm accompaniment for the button accordion, thus creating the core of the conjunto sound. On the bajo, Max uses the instrument to push the TexManiacs sound to another level of vibrancy altogether. He has displayed a musical virtuosity and blistering guitar riff solo style, that is now being emulated by young bajo players internationally. Max Is credited for turning a traditional folk/roots/conjunto instrument hip again, attracting young, new audiences while maintain his roots in traditional Tex-Mex. His many sojourns as a life long musician have resulted in an impressive touring schedule, including four tours to Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Kosovo to entertain the troops. Max has appeared on national television programs such as Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Austin City Limits. Max has also been featured in several PBS documentaries such as: Songs of the Homeland, American Roots Music, and Latin Music USA. Max has also participated on ten Grammy winning projects including the double-platinum album for the Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge (Virgin, 1996). Max’s most recent Grammy was with his band, Los TexManiacs in 2010 for Borders Y Bailes (Smithsonian Folkways 2009).
Like a great salsa, the Texmaniacs mix the simplest yet finest ingredients of Texas music to create a sound solidly rooted in tradition, exploding with contemporary vitality. TexManiacs versatility has led them to performances such as The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, International Accordion Festival, Kennedy Center, Governor of Texas Ball, and many major festivals overseas in Germany, Holland, and Spain. Los TexManiacs have been awarded proclamations as ambassadors of good will from several government entities including the cities of San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and Albuquerque, NM.
Their first album, A Tex Mex Groove (2004), contains a wide sampling of musical focus that is characteristic of the group. It also hosts a legendary line-up of guest artists such as Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Ruben Ramos, and Los Lobos. Their second album “About Time” (2007) peaked at #1 on the Tex Mex charts. Los TexManiacs most recent album is the Grammy Award winning “Borders Y Bailes” – this album was released by Smithsonian Folkways; the record label for The Smithsonian National Museum of the United States. This project further cemented Los TexManiacs rightful place in history as master musicians in their respective musical disciplines.
So, don’t just stay for supper, make sure you stick around for dessert.