Centro-matic
Hometown: Denton, TX
Centro-matic singer-songwriter/guitarist Will Johnson may still trail behind Willie Nelson as the most prolific artist in Texas, but he's off to a mighty impressive start for a guy who didn't write his first song until he was in his mid-20s. Since then, Johnson has written and recorded at least one new album a year; if it's not a new Centro-matic platter, like this year's Fort Recovery, it's one by his side project, South San Gabriel (essentially the full cast of Centro-matic, plus guests and a quieter vibe), or a straight-up Johnson solo record. And like Fort Recovery, they're all invariably excellent — hence the accolades Johnson's projects tend to receive from critics on both sides of the Atlantic and fans like Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and the Drive-By Truckers' patterson Hood. The latter even penned the bio for Centro-matic's latest, proclaiming the decade-old Deton, Texas-formed act the best live band in America and Fort Recovery as my favorite album by my favorite band. The rest of the band — as vital to Centro-matic's muscular-yet-reflective, Crazy Horse-ish sound as Johnson's songs — is drummer Matt Pence, bassist Mark Hedman and cellist/violinist Scott Danborn.
86 Followers See all
- Strychnine, Breathless Ways - Centro-matic
- Parade of Choosers - Centro-matic
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- Estimate x 3 - Centro-matic
- Fidgeting Wildly - Centro-matic
- Only In My Double Mind - Centro-matic
- I, the Kite - Centro-matic
- Triggers And Trash Heaps - Centro-matic
- The Mighty Midshipman - Centro-matic
- Calling Thermatico - Centro-matic
- Upcoming Events
- Past Events
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Centro-Matic + Frank Smith + Moonlight Towers
Fri. 02/01 | 8:00PM @ Mohawk Austin (map)
@ Outdoor ALL AGES Doors @ 8 pm. Show @ 9 pm. Tickets on sale 12/13.
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ACL Aftershow: SOLD OUT The Afghan Whigs with Centro-matic
Sat. 10/13 | 10:00PM @ Antone's (map)
The recent reformation of THE AFGHAN WHIGS proves a simple story, really. It was not precipitated by financial urgency, a need to cash in on some recent cover smash, or a made-for-TV movie dea…more»
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Drive-By Truckers with Centro-matic
Thu. 09/01 | 8:00PM @ Stubb's (map)
With a powerful mixture of Southern pride and a three-guitar attack, the Drive-By Truckers are one of the most well-respected alternative country-rock acts in the world. The big band from Geor…more»
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Featured Review from AustinChronicle
August 30, 2011Were a bit of a schizophrenic band, Patterson Hood told the Chronicle late last year. He was referring to the Drive-By Truckers latest, Go-Go Boots, a country-soul album steeped in the Muscle Shoals tradition and a stark contrast to the lighter Americana of 2010s The Big To-Do. more at austinchronicle.com
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Featured Review from BeenHereYet?com
August 25, 2011Drive By Truckers have a sweet and smooth sound that can only come out of the Southern Rock roots found in Athens GA. They really own the music and when you listen you really feel the soulful magic that is Drive By Truckers!
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Centro-matic + Sarah Jaffe + Shawn Jones & Lauryn Gould (of the Lovely Sparrows)
Sun. 07/10 | 6:30PM @ Mohawk Austin (map)
Based in Denton, Texas, Centro-matic come equipped with catchy hooks, wiry guitars, harmonies and handclaps, splendid string and horn arrangements, and songs so well written and produced they …more»
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Featured Review from TheOnion
July 01, 2011A sleeper songwriter adored by many who idealize the lot of the “sleeper songwriter,” Will Johnson has built Centro-Matic into a forceful band without trying too hard—surprising, given that the group records and tours with due diligence. more at avclub.com
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Centro-matic In Store Performance
Sun. 07/10 | 5:00PM @ Waterloo Records (map)
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3rd Annual Dia de Los Toadies Festival
Fri. 08/27 | 7:00PM - Sat. 08/28 @ Whitewater Amphitheater on the Horseshoe (map)
Check out details for 2011's 4th Annual Dia de los Toadies HEREhttp://do512.com/event/2011/08/27/4th-annual-dia-de-los-toadies-festivalDia De Los Toadies is an annual concert hosted by To…more»
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Centro-Matic w/ Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, The Service Industry
Thu. 05/06 | 8:00PM @ Parish / Parish Underground (map)
Based in Denton, Texas, Centro-matic come equipped with catchy hooks, wiry guitars, harmonies and handclaps, splendid string and horn arrangements, and songs so well written and produced they …more»
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Featured Review from TheOnion
May 06, 2010A sleeper songwriter adored by many who idealize the lot of the “sleeper songwriter,” Will Johnson has built Centro-Matic into a forceful band without trying too hard—surprising, given that the group records and tours with due diligence. more at www.avclub.com
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Featured Review from AustinChronicle
April 29, 2010Rust never sleeps, and neither does Will Johnson. Having recently completed a living room tour across America with Anders Parker, the local Monster of Folk returns his attention to the distorted, barbed fury of his longstanding Centro-matic. more at www.austinchronicle.com
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Centro-matic
Fri. 03/19 | 12:00AM (Thu Midnight) @ The Main (map)
Presented by: Paradigm Denton TX Keeping track of the distinctions between Centro-matic and South San Gabriel could be a full-time effort, if one were so inclined. Based in …more»
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Will Johnson of Centromatic and Liz Durrett
Sat. 09/12 | 7:00PM @ Space12 (map)
Ticket are $12 at the door. BYOB All Ages Myspace for more info
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Centro-Matic w/ Monahans, Future Clouds & Radar
Fri. 05/15 | 8:00PM @ Parish / Parish Underground (map)
Based in Denton, Texas, Centro-matic come equipped with catchy hooks, wiry guitars, harmonies and handclaps, splendid string and horn arrangements, and songs so well written and produced they …more»
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Featured Review from AustinChronicle
May 13, 2009Will Johnson & Co. ride amber waves of grain, with Future Clouds & Radar and Monahans.
more at www.austinchronicle.com -
Featured Review from TheOnion
May 11, 2009Songwriter Will Johnson’s rather massive body of work consistently sounds like it’s been fuzzed together on a secondhand Tascam machine during a brilliant tantrum of confused productivity. more at austin.decider.com
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Centro-matic
Sun. 06/01 | 5:00PM @ End of an Ear (map)
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Centro-Matic w/ South San Gabriel and Sarah Jaffe
Sat. 05/31 | 8:00PM @ Parish / Parish Underground (map)
Click “I Like It!” to win free tickets!! Two pairs will be given away!!
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Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit w/ Centro-matic (Tix on sale now!!!)
Tue. 08/14 | 10:00PM @ Mohawk Austin (map)
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Featured Review from AustinChronicle
August 09, 2007If Jason Isbell sounds a little weary on his day off, it’s probably because of his new job: bandleader. Combine that with being a renowned road warrior, and that’s a lot of pavement pounded read more..
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Centro-matic
Sat. 09/16 | 12:30PM @ AT&T Center (map)
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AustinChronicle on Centro-matic
about 5 years agoDenton's favorite fourpiece, which specializes in the kind of rattle-mumble-hum no other indie rockers can top, has been lying low in these parts since 2006's Fort Recovery. The good news: This spring heralds the release of a split double album, Dual Hawks (Misra), with one side Centro-matic, the other its alter ego, South San Gabriel. – Melanie Haupt