The Asylum Street Spankers are playing at Kirk Ave. Music Hall in Roanoke Thursday, May 14, and the Sun Music Hall in Floyd Friday, May 15.

With a new double CD release documenting the Broadway run of their terrific stage show, Austin roots mob Asylum Street Spankers return to touring with their remarkable blend of old-time string band virtuosity, vaudeville panache, and razor-sharp wit.

What? And Give Up Show Business?, the Spankers’ first-ever stage production, premiered at New York City’s Barrow Street Theatre with an exclusive two-week run in January, ’08.

The New York Times described the group aptly: “Dedicated to acoustic instrumentation, but mischievously unorthodox in every other way.” The Village Voice declared that “the Austin collective tap-dances on the thin line
between stunning virtuosity and goofy farce, an eight-person dervish of washboard / dobro / harmonica / clarinet /singing saw / upright bass /violin / etc., minimally amplified for maximum impact” and lauded the group’s “delightful schizophrenia—a genial gang of shit-hot players who often valiantly dare to be stupid.”

As the Spankers, described by the Memphis Flyer as “one of the best live acts anywhere,” return to touring, their performances will continue to draw on elements from the recent stage show, seamlessly interweaving their signature four part harmonies, consistently inventive arrangements, and penchant for humorous social commentary into one of the most entertaining concert experiences around.

The Asylum Street Spankers began their musical journey 1994. Following success on the road and in the studio, the band founded their own Spanks-A-Lot Records in 1999 and continues to tour extensively throughout the world.