How a Dallas arts magnet school helped shape a 1980s alternative rock sensation
In short: Before they were a national success, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were a local favorite in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas. Emerging in the mid-1980s, the band blended rock, folk, blues, and jazz, eventually landing a top 10 hit with their 1988 debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars.
The band's origins trace back to the early 1980s in Dallas, Texas. While Edie Brickell, drummer Brandon Aly, guitarist Kenny Withrow, and percussionist John Bush all attended the same local arts-focused high school, they were not initially a cohesive unit. Brickell was primarily there for art, and the musicians did not truly connect until later. The group solidified its core lineup in 1985, gaining momentum through steady performances at venues like the Theater Gallery and Club Dada.
Their rise was marked by a strategic management contract that secured better gigs at Rick's Casablanca. By July 1985, Kenny Withrow joined as the guitarist, and by September 12, 1985, John Bush had joined on percussion, marking his debut with the band while backing Bo Diddley at Poor David's Pub. During this formative period, the band was often called the New Bos, and Brickell's name was not yet attached to the act.
The band achieved significant commercial success with their 1988 debut, but the momentum shifted after their 1990 follow-up, Ghost of a Dog. Following that release, Brickell departed the group and married singer-songwriter Paul Simon. The band eventually disbanded, though they would reunite years later for new projects, including the 2006 album Stranger Things. Their history is also marked by tragedy, including the 2007 death of member Carter Albrecht and the 2023 death of bassist Brad Houser.
Despite long gaps in their activity, the band has periodically returned to the stage and studio. They performed at the North Oak Cliff Music Festival in 2014 and held a series of reunion concerts at the Kessler Theater in 2017. Their later discography includes the 2018 album Rocket and the 2021 release Hunter and the Dog Star, proving the enduring nature of their collaborative spirit long after their initial mid-80s emergence.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
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