Austin. When you evoke the Texas city’s name, music immediately comes to mind. Much has gone into that association: a long-running live music television show, a festival spawned by that show, a trade show that has become the big one for everyone in the music industry, and thousands of great artists and bands.

Few, if any, have been around Austin as long as Greezy Wheels, one of the greatest bands you’ve never heard in your life, unless you live in Austin or New York City, as they’ve
played there too. Greezy Wheels is captained by Cleve Hattersley and his incredibly talented wife, Sweet Mary, along with Cleve’s sister Lissa. A more creative trio you will never find. Formed in the ‘70s, the Wheels were the house band for the infamous Armadillo World Headquarters and headlined or opened first Austin gigs for everyone from the Flying Burrito Brothers to Frank Zappa. They appeared in the classic Bmovie “Outlaw Blues” with Peter Fonda.

They practically owned the stage at the legendary Lone Star Cafe in New York City. Then, the hiatus began. It wasn’t supposed to last 25 years, but with Cleve managing first the Lone Star, then the Blue Note Jazz Club, Mary working at the School for the Visual Arts and both working with Kinky Friedman, they kept busy.

Fast forward to the present century and the duo returns to Austin and Greezy Wheels was reborn. Two albums and a couple of solo albums under their belt, the band has released another gem titled “Gone Greezy.” In what I can only describe as Dan Hicks meets Frank Zappa, “Gone Greezy” captures the delightful musicality, the endearing sense of humor, and the beautiful spirit of these people and the wonderful music they make. I dare you to listen to any of the songs on this album and hold back a smile or keep your foot from tapping. I think
Cleve says it best in the liner notes: “Then we were hippies. And now we are gone ... Gone Greezy, that is. It’s all about life and style, y’all, and we’re still living it.” Me too, Cleve! Let’s get greezy!!

Hear Wildman Steve’s Internet radio station, Internet radio for music lovers 24/7, at www.wildmansteve.com.