Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Johnny Moeller has joined forces with Jesse Dayton and Ian Moore for an alt-blues album full of spicy Austin taste. Texas Headhunters is a guitar report filled with sizzling licks, gritty rock and roll, and funky gear. However the secret sauce is the chemistry.

You’re a Freddie King man.
He’s my hero. He’s fairly laborious to beat in any period, and I get impressed by him on a regular basis. I’ve seen all of the TV reveals from the mid ’60s. He was an all-around all the pieces – artist, guitar participant, singer, and a thread between Ian, Jesse, and me.

How did the Texas Headhunters come collectively?
We’ve been bumping into one another for the reason that ’90s in Austin. We frolicked across the identical golf equipment, particularly Antone’s and The Continental Membership. A few years in the past, Jesse mentioned, “Hey, you understand what can be cool? It is best to do one thing with me and Ian.” So we went to a buddy’s studio. We every introduced a track and threw it round to see what would occur. We have been like, “Oh, man! That is nice!” We labored very well collectively. Then we acquired busy the subsequent yr after that. Jesse stored circling again. I’d run into him on the espresso store and he’d be like, “Man, let’s leap again on this!” Subsequent factor you understand, we have been within the studio at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio, and all of it got here collectively good and straightforward.

Did you again one another up on the songs?
We did, and it was all very natural. Nobody was tripping out about who did what. On two of the songs I sang, I performed rhythm guitar and let Jesse and Ian commerce solos. A number of that simply type of occurred. We supported one another. It was like a jam that fell into place.

You guys have distinct personalities on guitar, however all the pieces gels.
And you know the way it’s with guitar gamers. That may be difficult (laughs)!

“All people Loves You When You’re Down” is such an incredible track.
That was one of many first we did. I come from a unique place than these guys; they’ve all sung in entrance of their very own bands for years. After we acquired in there, I wasn’t so certain I used to be going to sing. Jesse was like, “You gotta get in there!” They got here out to my gigs with my brother. I solely sing half the night time. Jesse was like, “Oh no, man! You gotta sing! You sing cool! It’s nice!” He actually coaxed me. He goes, “I acquired a track. Why don’t we see if this works.” I discovered it and thought, “Dang! I can do that.”

I like the lyrics. I’ve all the time favored the concept of fable and glorifying musicians and guys like Hank Williams or whoever it is perhaps. The concept that “He’s so tousled, however we love him,” is what Jesse was saying. Everybody loves you if you’re down. He actually performed into that.

Coming from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, you convey a unique taste to the trio.
It’s humorous… you talked about Freddie King. On the second verse of “Give Me Some Love,” I used to be fascinated with how the world is in such a multitude with all of the loopy stuff happening. I used to be fascinated with all of the issues I like. Within the second verse of that line, I say, “Give me a sound like king Freddie’s guitar.” I used to be pondering that, and Ian answered in real-time with that Freddie King-ish guitar lick. It was simply too excellent. I additionally wrote the “Headhunters Theme.”

What was your primary guitar for the recording?
I had 4 essential guitars; Berly Guitars, outdoors of Austin, made me a Jazzmaster copy, and I actually prefer it. I even have his Berly Chook, which is sort of a Firebird blended with a Telecaster. And I’ve Strat and Tele copies made by Massive Tex Guitars, in Houston.

How about amps?
A buddy of Jesse’s introduced in a bunch of classic amps – a Magnatone and an early-’50s Ampower that was actually cool. I often maintain an Xotic EP Booster and a Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay on my pedalboard. I’m glad we’ve got cool songs for being a guitar report. Generally, these items may be nearly guitars, however we’ve got good songs.

What’s subsequent?
The Fabulous Thunderbirds have two tracks on Antone’s fiftieth Allstars – 50 Years of the Blues field set. I even have a complete report’s value of solo materials able to go. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s October 2025 challenge. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.