The core of the group is the singing songwriting team of Josh Zee and Teal Collins.
Josh Zee (vocals/lead guitar) has recorded 2 major label records on the SONY/Work label as the singer/guitarist and songwriter for the Rock group "Protein". They toured extensively throughout the U.S. on "The Warped Tour" and also toured Europe and Japan as part of MTV Asia Summer Fest.
Teal Collins (vocals/ukulele/guitar) Teal's early introduction to music was through her dad, famous Jazz disc jockey Al, "Jazzbeaux" Collins. Teal has recorded sessions for Grammy award winning producers Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston) and Stephen Bray (Madonna). Teal has also received Gold and Platinum albums for her work on Shanice (Motown records) and Third Eye Blind's album Blue.
Josh and Teal formed the Mother Truckers in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002 after meeting at a local open mic night. The Band recorded several self-released albums including fan favorite "Something Worth Dying for".
In 2005, Josh and Teal moved their music to Texas, and set up shop in Austin, “The Live Music Capitol of the World”. There, they met local music scene veterans, Danny G (Bass) and Pete The Beat (Drums) who form The Mother Truckers powerhouse rhythm section. The band got a residency at the legendary Continental Club and quickly started drawing a large number of fans to their shows.
In 2007 they recorded their album "Broke, Not Broken" (Funzalo Records) at Ray Benson’s Bismeaux Studios in South Austin. The album was met with critical acclaim and received airplay nationwide. The Austin American Statesman's Michael Corcoran placed the album on his top 10 list of the year as did the Village Voice's Chuck Eddy. At SXSW The Austin Music Awards named The Mother Truckers "Best Roots Rock Band Of The Year".
In 2008, The Mother Truckers released “Let’s All Go To Bed” (Funzalo Records) which was responded to immediately by the fans, the press, and multiple XM/Sirius satellite stations, Including “Little Steven’s Underground Garage” where the Truckers’ single “Streets of Atlanta” was picked as one of the “Coolest Songs in The World” . They also had many TV and film placements including HBO’s “True Blood” Series, feature film “Touching Home” with Ed Harris, and feature film “Wake” with Jane Seymour.
Now, in 2010, the band has a brand-new album “Van Tour”. An instant classic of in-your-face, touring band, rock and roll imagination! Once again, Michael Corcoran from The Austin American Statesman has responded with high praise~ “... The Mother Truckers have penned an instant pop classic with ‘Keep It Simple’ from their new ‘Van Tour’ CD. The Tune, featuring Teal Collins’ sensational soaring vocals, has a nostalgic top 40 radio feel. Zee and Collins are probably the most talented guitarist/vocals tandem in Austin”.
The Mother Truckers will continue their “Van Tour” this Summer in the U.S., with a European tour in September!
Provenance: Austin, Texas
Latest Release: Van Tour (2010)
Older information:
The band was voted "Best Roots Rock Band" at the SXSW 2007 Austin Music Awards. The band was in the Top Ten in five other categories including: Band of the Year, Best New Band, Best Country Band, Best Electric Guitarist, and Best Female Vocals.
Also, The Austin American Statesman's Michael Corcoran listed the bands CD "Broke, Not Broken" in the TOP 10 local albums list. In KGSR's annual list of top 107 albums, the CD "Broke, Not Broken" was listed as #57! Last, in his personal selections, The Austin Chronicle's Chris Gray also named The Mother Truckers "Best Roots Rock Group".
With fans like Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, The Mother Truckers have built a huge following evidenced by a weekly residence at the Continental Club, a spot at Willie's 4th of July picnic, an official SXSW date, an upcoming show at the High Sierra Music Festival, and numerous shows at all the big festivals and hot spots in the Austin area.
Dynamite
The Mother Truckers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never see it comin' till the fire's up inside of you
It could be day it could be night
It just depends on when the feelin's right
To light my dynamite
I open up my matches and I strike 'em on the other side
There is no reason for the things I do or how I feel inside
It just depends on when the feelin's right
To light my dynamite
When the full moon rises and the planets turn
I need somethin' to touch me make my brown skin burn yeah
Oh, that's my concern
Whoo
I need my dynamite
Make my brown skin burn
Well deep down in the valley where the sun don't shine
I got a stick of dynamite, it's mine all mine all mine, yeah
Ooh, sure feels fine
I got my dynamite, yeah it's mine all mine
Well my dynamite
(Dynamite)
It's such a site
(Dynamite)
To see the light
(Dynamite)
Make me feel alright
(Dynamite)
I just need one thing, yeah my dynamite
Oh yeah
Well my dynamite
(Dynamite)
It's such a site
(Dynamite)
To see the light
(Dynamite)
Make me feel alright
(Dynamite)
I just need one thing, yeah my dynamite
Oh, that's right
I got a pack of matches and there ain't a thang that you can do
Now the time has come for me to do what I do best to you
It could be day it could be night, oh
It just depends on when the feelin's right
To light my dynamite
It could be day it could be night
It just depends on when it's right
The lyrics of The Mother Truckers' song "Dynamite" speak about a person with a pack of matches, ready to light their dynamite whenever they feel like it. The singer acknowledges that there is no reason for their actions and feelings, but they need something to touch them and make their skin burn. They have their dynamite hidden deep down in the valley where the sun doesn't shine, and it's their own little secret.
The song seems to be about a person who has a wild, unpredictable nature that they can't control. They have something explosive within them, and they need to let it out from time to time. This could be a reference to how some people have self-destructive tendencies, and they feel the need to act on them to feel alive. The reference to the full moon rising and the planets turning could signify that this person is ruled by their passions and desires rather than logic and reason.
Overall, "Dynamite" is a song about embracing one's nature, no matter how explosive or unpredictable it might be. It's about living in the moment and letting oneself be carried away by powerful emotions, even if it means risking everything.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a pack of matches and there ain't a thang that you can do
I have the power to do what I want, and you can't stop me
You'll never see it comin' till the fire's up inside of you
You won't realize what's happening until it's already happening
It could be day it could be night
It just depends on when the feelin's right
To light my dynamite
I'll do what I want when I feel like it, regardless of the time of day
When the full moon rises and the planets turn
I need somethin' to touch me make my brown skin burn yeah
Oh, that's my concern
Whoo
I need my dynamite
Make my brown skin burn
I need excitement and stimulation, and my dynamite brings that feeling to me
Well deep down in the valley where the sun don't shine
I got a stick of dynamite, it's mine all mine all mine, yeah
Ooh, sure feels fine
I got my dynamite, yeah it's mine all mine
I have something special that's just for me, and it makes me feel good
Well my dynamite
(Dynamite)
It's such a site
(Dynamite)
To see the light
(Dynamite)
Make me feel alright
(Dynamite)
I just need one thing, yeah my dynamite
Oh yeah
My dynamite is exciting and makes me feel good
Now the time has come for me to do what I do best to you
It could be day it could be night, oh
It just depends on when the feelin's right
To light my dynamite
It could be day it could be night
It just depends on when it's right
I'm going to do what I want, and it doesn't matter when or where, I'll do it when it feels right to me
Writer(s): Zee Joshua David, Zee Teal Collins
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Noah Liberman
Here’s one more great thing about Josh Zee, and it’s important. His solos talk with the song. What do I mean by that? This song is funny and on fire, both. His solos speak to that. So many hot guitarists play impressive stuff, but you could overlay it on any song. His solos understand the song, talk to the song. The two here have swagger, they’re humorously hot, if you know guitar, you’re not just impressed but you’re goddamn laughing at what he’s saying. The pick squeals on that final descending run are pure “Let me just whip this out” macho magic. Bad. Ass. Playing.
Steve Ford
awesome band, awesome venue, awesome video
Matt R
Josh Zee is seriously underrated. Teal Collins has great pipes, too.
Mike Hollis
awesome!
Gracie Gold The Lab
Love this band!!
CuteKittyMeep
This video has everything! Yay! Funny that I sort of 'backed into' this band from Josh's guitar lessons on exert village, so I guess that's one way to drum up new fans. :)
MrOldziggy
Awesome...these guys are smokin'. All their tunes are good...musicianship is good...vids are good. Yes it's Americana and it's great :)
TheZombieRing
I just bought the 'Van Tour' cd from their website ,not one bad song on it. All Great !
Guppy Playhouse
SO bad ass. Josh Zee ROCKS!!!!
Douglas Carlson
LOVE this, Nice job