Kevin Galloway and Uncle Lucius Realign

By Lisa Tang

After Uncle Lucius disbanded in 2018 they had no expectations of reuniting but it’s happening this March nonetheless. Frontman Kevin Galloway — a Big Sandy, Texas, native — recently made the announcement.

“The tide has transferred and the forces have realigned. Uncle Lucius is once again making music. After a five year hiatus, the band will be bringing their methods of soul, joy, and thunder to select stages across the country.”

The Austin-based band’s reunion is scheduled for March 18 and 19 on the Gruene Hall stage in New Braunfels, kicking off a tour that includes two performances in Tyler at 8 p.m., April 7 and 8 at Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ, and at 7 p.m. on April 21 at the Kessler Theater in Dallas.

Galloway recently explained circumstances surrounding the welcome but surprising announcement. While playing music and talking on Live From Norfolk Street — a show recorded in Houston and also known as McGonigel’s Mucky Duck YouTube channel — in December Galloway said Uncle Lucius’ top song achieved widespread fame when the television show Yellowstone played it in 2020.

“Keep the Wolves Away” struck a nerve nationwide when it played on the hit series starring Kevin Costner and earned the band some royalties. More importantly its success proved that Uncle Lucius possessed the talent to make it in the recording industry so the forces began to realign.

The reunion is welcome among fans who enjoy the band’s deep rock and blues traditions. Uncle Lucius’ ability to appeal widely to general audiences is proven by the number of shows along the tour that are already sold out as fans scramble to buy tickets.

A quick rewind through the band’s other hits performed over its first 13 years proves their mettle. Their broad repertoire includes tunes with a variety of rhythms and moods that show originality — from upbeat boot scootin’ tunes to romantic slow ballads to cry into your beer blues.

Galloway’s strong voice rises above the band’s carefully orchestrated instrumentals. His bluesy baritone belts out remorseful yet poetic lyrics in nearly every song.

The front man’s realignment with Uncle Lucius is fortuitous, as the two are better together. Each band member brings his own qualities to the voluminous sound. Mike Carpenter plays lead guitar with swagger. Other instrumentalists include drummer Josh Greco, and keyboard player Jon Grossman.

“Everybody Got Soul” is a foot-tappin’ sing-along homage to the blues genre and proves the band can own the stage with a variety of rhythms.

The upbeat and humorous “Ain’t It the Same” is a get on your feet dance number. “I called on my preacher but there was no one there / I drank another pint of whiskey and fell down the same damn stairs / They cut my hair last winter / Ain’t it the same?”

The band’s slower tracks dig deep into the blues tradition of exploring the soul’s depths with slower melodies such as “My Gun Can Burn,” and “Pick Your Head Up.” In that number the band takes turns playing their own riffs on guitar and piano.

During the tour this spring Uncle Lucius is likely to repeat performances of “Keep the Wolves Away” and other hits but they’re also likely to try out new tunes that set a stake in their future success.