New York City serves as home base for the insurgent country outfit the Hangdogs, whose sound might suggest origins in a locale such as Austin. The group coalesced during the mid-1990s around a core that includes lead singer and chief songwriter Matthew Grimm alongside guitarist/keyboardist Texas Tex, guitarist/pedal steel player Automatic Slim, bassists Rob Gottstein and J.C. Chmiel, and drummers Kevin Baier and Dave Stengel, though personnel shifts from show to show. Early notice arrived through fervent stage appearances and lyrics laced with political commentary. The band issued its self-released debut Same Old Story in 1997, followed the next year by East of Yesterday, which Shanachie later reissued after signing the act. Their first proper album for the label, Beware of the Dog, appeared in 2000 and, like the prior release, was produced by Bruce Henderson. Continued grassroots support stemmed largely from relentless touring, captured on the 2002 live collection Something Left to Sell that also featured covers of material by Steve Earle and Robbie Fulks. Wallace '48 arrived in 2003, after which the band disbanded in 2004. Shanachie subsequently put out a final studio album, Winds of Change, in 2005. Since then the Hangdogs have reconvened in assorted lineups for sporadic performances.
