Dallas, TX. (Top40 Charts/
Underworld Records) - Blasting out
Texas blues/rock for over 17 years,
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat announce the February 17, 2009, release of the band's new CD, Tijuana Bible, which will be released in the U.S. on
Underworld Records, distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution. Produced by
Jim Suhler and
Tom Hambridge, Tijuana Bible is powered by 13 original songs, plus unique takes on Elvin Bishop's 'Drunken Hearted Boy' (with Bishop as special guest on slide guitar), Rory Gallagher's 'I Could've Had Religion' and AC/DC's 'Up to My Neck in You.' Additional special guests include
Joe Bonamassa on lead guitar ('Deep Water Lullaby') and Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) on backing vocals ('Po' Lightnin').
Tijuana Bible was recorded at Ocean Way Studios and 1808 Studios in Nashville, as well as Audio Dallas in Garland, Texas.
The album takes its title from the notorious 'Tijuana Bible,' an old-time pornographic comic book, typically 'starring' famous politicians, film stars and sports heroes of the day. 'No one is really sure where they originated, but Tijuana, with its creative approach to all things entertaining, is certainly a good place to guess,' says
Jim Suhler.
Along with Suhler on guitar and lead vocals, the band includes bassist Carlton Powell, keyboardist Shawn Phares and drummer Jimmy Morgan. Together, they've been terrorizing clubs and festivals alike with their flamethrower brand of blues/rock, with a major side order of the Texas border mythology added to make it extra spicy.
That same take-no-prisoners attitude has prevailed in Jim Suhler's playing as a guitarist with George Thorogood and the Destroyers, with whom he's recorded, toured and written songs for over nine years. Suhler has often been included in many of the 'Top 10 Guitarists' lists featured in several music publications.
Several of the songs on Tijuana Bible are also featured on the 2008-release DVD, Real Time: Live in Texas, recorded at the Granada Theatre in Dallas, which also includes bonus tracks filmed at the Kwadendamme Blues Festival in The Netherlands and in the Dallas historic district of Deep Ellum.
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat will tour extensively in support of the new album, with booking done by Jay Reil & Associates (847-272-0202 / jay@jayreil.com). For more information, visit www.jimsuhler.com.
