Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears • soul, funk, blues

While working at a pawn shop in Austin, Joe Lewis first picked up the guitar. Shortly thereafter, he immersed himself in the local Red River blues/garage scene, recording and performing with Austin luminaries such as the Weary Boys and Walter Daniels. Upon the release of the 2005 Brian Salvi-produced Black Joe Lewis and The Cold Breeze EP with standout track "Bitch I Love You" featuring Matt Hubbard on Rhodes electric piano and the 2007 album Black Joe Lewis, both released on Italian label Shake Yo Ass Records, the band gained critical national acclaim and toured as openers for Spoon and Okkervil River in 2007.