Slow Rollin Lows was formed in the summer of 2006 by Fannett, Texas residents Pug Johnson and Jeremy Porter. With the help of former Lows: Colt Woolwine, Neil Jeannsone, and Orey Williams, SRL released three albums. Their first was an early live recording at the Log-On Café in Beaumont, Texas titled, “Straight Out of Texas”. This was followed by the bands first studio attempt, “One of These Days”, a full length album comprised of all SRL originals. The album received praise among internet radio surfing, Texas music loving fans from all corners of the globe. The release also led to a young SRL finding themselves nominated for the TMA Rising Star Award in 2008.
As the band began to develop, it was evident there was need for a new project. Their third release, “Erie Street” was recorded in Fort Worth, Texas under the creative prowess of fellow Texas artist Phil Pritchett. The album featured its’ share of Pritchett’s musical touch; yet, it still reflected the creative steps that the band was taking on their own. The album led to another TMA nomination, this time in the Song of the Year category for their track “Our Brothers”, a broken down, honest performance honoring those who died for Texas’ independence from Mexico in 1836.
Since then, SRL has hit the road hard and fast with drive and determination. Still in the bands lineup is founding member Pug (guitar, vocals) and now features members, Mike Reilly (electric/upright bass) and Trey Cochran (drums, guitar, banjo, mandolin, vocals). The band has been able to rack up a fair share of cred over their years on the road playing legendary beer joints and bar rooms of all shapes and sizes such as Maggie Mae's, River Road Icehouse, Riley's Tavern and Armadillo Palace. To top that off, the band has opened up for top acts such as Brandon Rhyder, Billy Joe Shaver, Pat Green, The Band of Heathens, Gary P. Nunn, Micky and the Motorcars, and many more. In April 2011, SRL opened for the classic rock band Kansas in Winnie, Texas.
In the summer of 2010, Pug released an acoustic concept album titled, “Radix”, translated from Latin meaning “roots”. “The album is about where I came from personally and musically, my 'roots'”, said Johnson. The album featured Reilly and Cochran as well as a few other friends lending their talents on keys and fiddle. “We were able to create this sound that completely fit the vein of the concept. It’s earthy and broken down and that’s where it needed to be.” Radix help garnish Pug Johnson another TMA nomination for Academy Award of Distinction in 2011. SRL was also nominated for Texas Music Awards LIVE Band of the Year in 2011.
In early 2011, the Lows began recording their next studio project. Easy Driftin' tells the story of a fictional character (One Eyed James) named from a couple of songs on the album. The album follows his life through good times and hardships while still presenting songs that could stand on their own. SRL teamed up with Radix engineer and co-producer Jon-Michael Wallace for the project, proving to create a concept album worthy of it's cause. The album was released in July of 2011 and has since continued to build momentum for SRL. Shortly after the release of Easy Driftin', drummer Jeremy Porter, left the group.
With a new album and new ideas about how to better themselves as players and performers, SRL has no plans of stopping now. While still playing all over Texas, the Lows are now setting their sites on uncharted territory hoping to expand their influence and fan base. Delivering great show after great show, SRL are bound to do just that.
Easy Driftin' Review by Lucky Boyd Co-founder of My Texas Music
Clear the runway, lower the gear, full flaps, and give it throttle! SRL is coming in for a landing; they have arrived! This band offered a live debut album, followed it with a studio sophomore project that drew a line in the sand, released a biennial project that was probably more about songwriting than performing, took a year to let Pug do a very artistic solo release, and now the fourth band album is here. This is, hands down, the band’s best work to date. Pug Johnson has come into his own as a vocalist, finding the confidence and power to allow his voice to become the fifth instrument in the band. A wonderful, though sparing, use of harmonies set these songs apart from previous recordings, as they have a blend and a synergy that surpasses earlier efforts. The band assembled Hunter McKithan and fellow MTM members Rodney Parker and Charlie Hager for an outstanding rendition of “Highwayman.” [made famous by Kristofferson, Nelson, Jennings, and Cash] This offering, as with most SRL albums, has an underlying theme; not one that is overbearing and in-your-face, but rather one that can only be appreciated when you hold the disc cover in your hand, read the liner notes, and put yourself squarely in the shoes of One Eyed James. To download a single song from this album instead of buying the CD should be a class C misdemeanor, as SRL entered the studio with an artistic vision of a collection of tunes that mean something when played together. What a shame to miss out on the entire experience. Musically, the band, along with co-producer and engineer Jon-Michael Wallace, has captured the true Slow Rollin’ Lows sound, a feat that might not have actually been done before. It took four albums for this group to find its sound, but it’s here, it’s unmistakable, it’s recognizable, and it’s going to be around for a long time. If albums were like stocks traded on the stock exchange, I would suggest you invest in this one. While the band has landed in a big way, you should get yourself some copies of this disc. Soon, they will take flight to bigger things. This is the album that puts SRL in the big leagues. While still missing some of the tips and tricks that major labels are looking for, it’s the kind of album that can make a career for a band. Fans are going to love this disc. It represents a slight turning point for a band that has been doing this for a while, and yet, they’re as young as newcomers, and have the entire sky to fly into. So, clear the runway, the wheels are rollin’ slowly into the wind, and Pug and the boys are about to ascend into the Texas music wild blue yonder.
