Jack Oblivian & Walter Daniels collaborate on new 4-song 7" EP

Walter Daniels & Jack Oblivian pay tribute to  Dave Dudley and others on their new Sailing The Concrete Seas EP out October 16.

Sez Black and Wyatt Records' boss Robert Jethro Wyatt...

We just announced the October 16th release of Sailin the Concrete Seas with Walter Daniels and Jack Oblivian et al. Accepting pre-orders now from our webstore. 

Snazzy sleeve art courtesy of Art Chantry.

Here's what Walter says about the record:

"Jack “Oblivian” Yarber is a rock’n’roll treasure- a great songwriter and capable of rocking on multiple instruments. So, I was jazzed when Jack and the Sheiks (Graham Winchester, Frank McLallen, Keith Cooper, and Seth Moody) agreed to help me record some great tunes with Andrew McCalla- a truly talented engineer and producer.

"I picked up Dave Dudley’s Truck Drivin’ Son of a Gun years ago - so it was a blast to record “I Got Lost,” and “Two Six Packs Away” at this session. We took a pass at the legendary Texas tune, “Drugs Will Kill Me” and the blues goof - “You Look Bad” finished the session. Greg Cartwright – from the Oblivians and the Reigning Sound – joined us on guitar for both the truckin' tunes. Sailin the Concrete Seas was the tagline from the Road Gang - all night radio just for truckers and country fans. CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!"

Listen to the original versions of the songs covered by Jack and Walter...

Walter Daniels & Stories Of Teeth vs. Tom Waits

Check out the Walter Daniels & Stories Of Teeth update of the Tom Waits classic "Gin Soaked Boy" off Swordfishtrombones.  

Walter Daniels & Stories Of Teeth are: 

Walter Daniels - Vocals, Harmonica, Nose Flute

Coby Cardosa - Drums, Keyboards

Paul Johnson - Guitar, Bass

Walter Daniels has been a big part of Stories of Teeth.  He played on two songs from our first release, and has joined us onstage a couple of times. In the summer of 2025 he asked me if we'd be interested in recording a cover he'd been wanting to do.

He came over and we played through the song once, then recorded it live with drums, rhythm guitar, vocals and harmonica. Lead guitar and organ were added and it was done.

In case you are new to Walter, he has been playing harmonica around Austin with many artists for about 40 years.  He was the front man and harmonica player for Jack O'Fire, and Big Foot Chester, and Walter Daniels and the Delle Valley Trustees.

Check out "Gin Soaked Boy" performed by Walter Daniels & Stories Of Teeth followed by the original Tom Waits recording off Swordfishtrombones below. You can find more recordings by Stories of Teeth on Bandcamp right here and Walter Daniels here. 

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Celebrating the birthday of Austin blues harp hero Walter Daniels with a few rockin' performances with the Del Valle Trustees. 

Walter Daniels & The Del Valle Trustees – Work Release

The latest powerhouse studio recording from blues-punk pioneer Walter Daniels and his hard-hitting band, The Del Valle Trustees is "Work Release," featuring eleven raw, electrifying tracks that blend gritty storytelling with intense instrumentation, making it a must-have for fans of garage rock, punk blues, and soulful rock 'n' roll. 

Daniels, renowned for his harmonica and nose flute performances, leads a talented lineup: Evan Whitehead (guitar, backing vocals), Kevin Curtin (mandolin, backing vocals), Scott Stewart (electric and stand-up bass, backing vocals), and Matt Hammer (drums). Engineered by Roky Moon and Kurtis D. Machler, the album captures the band’s signature sound in a raw, unfiltered style that's sure to energize listeners.

Adding even more depth, guest musicians Texacala Jones and Henri Herbert elevate select tracks to new heights—Texacala shines on "I'll Quit Tomorrow," and Henri brings piano magic to "11 Months and 29 Days." The album’s bold cover art, created by Chris Sick Moore, complements the music’s rebellious spirit. Work Release follows the acclaimed Have a Coffee Break With... LP, and showcases The Del Valle Trustees’ versatility through both originals and iconic covers, including Strychnine (The Sonics), 11 Months and 29 Days (Johnny Paycheck), and One Step Closer (Tim Kerr & Mike Carroll). Together, Chaputa! Records and Ghost Highway Recordings continue to deliver high-quality, collectible releases that celebrate authentic rock 'n' roll artistry.

Walter Daniels has been a force in the blues-punk scene since the '90s, contributing to seminal acts like Jack O'Fire, whose fiery sound redefined the genre, as well as South Filthy and Bigfoot Chester. Known for his harmonica virtuosity and fearless experimentation, Daniels continues to inspire and challenge the boundaries of rock 'n' roll. 

Get a copy of "Work Release" by Walter Daniels & The Del Valle Trustees via Bandcamp right here. Watch a few recent performances follow the album release trailer below. 

 

Cheap Fix vs. The Beguiled

Cheap Fix – led by James Arthur (Fireworks) –  have a new single on the way. Check their update of The Beguiled's "Nightrider's Theme" and see 'em March 1.

Cheap Fix join Walter Daniels & The Del Valle Trustees & They're Deadly at Austin's Aristocrat Lounge March 1.

Walter Daniels & Del Vale Trustees return with Work Release LP in January

Austin's harp-honkin' hero Walter Daniels has his new "Work Release" album with the Del Valle Trustees issued on Jan. 17

Watch Wes Coleman's documentary 'My Friend Walter Daniels'

Here's Wes Coleman's short film about harp-honkin' hero Walter Daniels of Big Foot Chester, Jack O'Fire, South Filthy, etc.

Bang Bang Band Girl vs. The Cramps

Walter Daniels' snarling sax enhances Bang Bang Band Girl's crack at Dave Day's "Blue Moon Baby" also covered by The Cramps.

Harmonica ace Walter Daniels joins Barry Adamson for "Sundown County"

"Sundown County" is off Barry Adamson's new Steal Awa y EP available via Bandcamp right here. Check it out below. 

Get a copy of Barry Adamson's recent memoir Up Above The City, Down Beneath The Stars right here.

Walter Daniels salutes Jeffrey Lee Pierce & Yank Rachell on new 7" single

Preview Walter Daniels' covers of "From Death To Texas" and "Seems Like A Dream" here. Check Yank's original below.

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Celebrating the birthday of bluesharp hero Walter Daniels with a couple of gems. Cheers to Olaf Jens for the ace caricature! 

Walter Daniels previews new album with cover of Townes Van Zandt's "Marie"

Have a Coffee Break with Walter Daniels & The Del Valle Trustees is out via Chaputa! Records on December 3rd. 

Here's the scoop...

This Austin, TX-based band is helmed by longtime punk rock harmonica player and vocalist Walter Daniels and features: Evan Whitehead (guitar – plays in Cunto! And Black Eyed Vermillion), Kevin Curtin (mandolin – plays in Cunto!, the Pleasure Tide, and Boxcutters), Scott Stewart (Upright and Electric bass – plays with Zero Skills, Inc, Pleasure Tide, and Corrine Rose), Matt Hammer (drums – Strange Boys, OBNIII’s, Wes Coleman).

Daniels is best known for his work with Jack O’Fire, Bigfoot Chester and has recorded with James Williamson, Lydia Lunch, Alejandro Escovedo, Guadalupe Plata, Henri Herbert, among many others. Daniels most recently added harmonica to a song for Barry Adamson – former member of the Bad Seeds!

Have a Coffee Break is the debut album of Walter Daniels and the Del Valle Trustees, and showcases a unique swinging band – capable of playing Country, Blues, and Punk tunes in a Texas style. Think jailhouse swing and some lively, innovative punk country rock. 

The band is planning on a tour in Fall 2022. Pre-order a copy of Walter Daniels & the Del Valle Trustees' debut album from Chaputa! Records right here. Check out their version of Townes Van Zandt's "Marie" feat. J.D. Pinkus on banjo below. 

Have a Coffee Break with Walter Daniels and the Del Valle Trustees

Side A

No One To Talk To (But The Blues) (Troy Martin & Wayne Walker)

Cold Call (WD & The Del Valle Trustees)

Marie (Townes Van Zandt)

I Can’t Get Over You (To Save My Life) (Whitey Shafer & Lefty Frizzell)

Army Of The Lord (Traditional)

Which Way To Go (Chris Gates)

Side B

Coffee Break (Traditional – Arranged By WD & The Del Valle Trustees)

Please Give Me Something (Bill Allen)

Baby Again (Billy Ed Wheeler)

The String You Wear (Jeffrey Evans)

Fifth Floor Corinth (WD & The Del Valle Trustees)

The Last Round-Up (Billy Hill)

WALTER DANIELS & THE DEL VALLE TRUSTEES:

Evan Whitehead – Acoustic and Electric Guitars and Backing Vocals

Kevin Curtin – Acoustic and Electric Mandolin and Backing Vocals

Scott Stewart – Stand-Up Bass, Electric Bass and Backing Vocals

Jarred Brown – Drums (sessions at Million Dollar Sound and the Church House)

Matt Hammer – Drums (session at Ameripolitan Studio)

Walter Daniels – Vocals, Harmonica and Nose Flute

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS:

Danny B. Harvey – Electric guitar on “Please Give Me Something”

Henri Herbert – Piano on “Coffee Break”

J. D. Pinkus – Banjo on “Marie”

Chris Gates – Background Vocals on “Which Way to Go”

Ralph White – Fiddle on “Last Round Up”

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Celebrating the birthday of harp hero Walter Daniels with a 1997 performance of "Do The Milkshake" with The Oblivians. 

Guadelupe Plata with Walter Daniels vs. Frankie Lee Sims

Harp honker deluxe Walter Daniels joined Guadelupe Plata for a rip through the Frankie Lee Sims classic "Married Woman"

Walter Daniels & The Hungry Hearts let rip "Out At Dusk"

Spacecase just put out the boffo "Out At Dusk" single by Walter Daniels & The Hungry Hearts in a limited run of 300 copies. Get an earful below.

Here's the scoop...
Spacecase Records is proud to release the new single "Out at Dusk" b/w "Where's The Pain Point" by blues-punk legend Walter Daniels and his band The Hungry Hearts. The 7” features Walter Daniels’ usual all-star lineup, including Texacala Jones (Tex and the Horseheads), Marco Butcher (Jam Messengers), Cypress Grove (Jeffrey Lee Pierce) and Luis Tissot (Jesus and the Groupies). Cover art by Art Chantry. Limited to 300 copies. Get it directly from Spacecase right here.

Walter Daniels + Daddy Long Legs vs. Sonny Terry

Walter Daniels' throwdown with Daddy Long Legs on Sonny Terry's "My Baby Done Gone" is a keeper. 

Walter Daniels vs. Daniel Johnston

Harp hero Walter Daniels is joined by Kid Congo Powers for a fine rip through an old Daniel Johnston fave. 

WALTER DANIELS - Almost Got Hit By a Truck 7"

Spacecase Records put out a single by Walter Daniels, formerly of Jack O' Fire, '68 Comeback and Big Foot Chester infamy. Perhaps you've heard Walter Daniels' 2014 acoustic collaboration with John Schooley called "Dead Mall Blues."  Or maybe you've basked in the majesty of his recordings and performances with world class ensembles including The Revelators, The Oblivians, Texacala Jones & Her T.J. Hookers... need I go on? OK, I will.

Walter's update of Daniel Johnston's "Almost Got Hit By A Truck"  features his vocal & harmonica stylings accompanied by Kid Congo Powers (GUN CLUB, CRAMPS, BAD SEEDS) on guitar. The flipside has a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "My Mind Got Bad" with Walter backed by Bill Anderson, Billy Steve Korpl, Kevin Cutin and Ralph White. Front and back cover art comes courtesy of the legendary Art Chantry. Limited to 300 copies. Available for the moment via Perpatrator Mailorder, contact: perpetrator_1@hotmail.com

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Here's Walter's cover of Daniel Johnston's "Almost Got Hit By A Truck" off his Spacecase single followed by the original.

Walter Daniels vs. Captain Beefheart

Walter Daniels' version of "I Love You Big Dummy" is off his hot new single with Jack Oblivian out May 13 on Ghost Highway.  

Introducing... Meet Your Death

Walter Daniels, John Schooley, Harpal Assi & Matt Hammer are doing their best to save Austin from itself.

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Cheers to Austin's harp honker deluxe Walter Daniels on his day. Here are three overlooked gems you'll enjoy.