Mojo Nixon and the Toadliquors – “Elvis is Everywhere”

SXSW 2022 – OEB Score 7, Popularity Index 7

Pairs well with...Charlie Daniels Band, Kinky Friedman, Austin Lounge Lizards

As we noted in 2020, Mojo Nixon has largely retired from touring and recording, although he hosts radio shows on Sirius Satellite Radio and plays special events. While he has shown up at SXSW venues as recently as 2019, 2020 was supposed to be his first official showcase is about twenty years. Apparently, he still needs to scratch that itch, so we get another opportunity to hear his brand of “psychobilly” outlaw country music. It’s very political and very funny. Last time around we featured “Red Neck Rampage.” This year, our introduction to Mojo is “Elvis is Everywhere.” Mojo claims Elvis is in everyone, except “there is no Elvis in Michael J. Fox,” which seem a little unfair. On the other hand, Mojo also say there is Elvis in Joan Rivers, except he is trying to get out, which is downright mean but has a ring of truth. But it’s all in good fun. His set should be rowdy and the rockabilly chops of the Toadliquors can’t be beat.  (David Zlotnick)

2020 Review: Nixon is a veteran (some say notorious) outlaw country music veteran, although he prefers to call his music psychobilly.  It’s a fun, driving rockabilly sound with a satirical political bite.  His better known songs include “I Saw Jesus At McDonalds,” “Burn Down The Malls,” “Stuffin Martha's Muffin,” “Elvis Is Everywhere,’ “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child,” “Don Henley Must Die, and “Drunk-Divorced Floozie (The Ballad Of Diana Spencer).”  Sampled here is “Red Neck Rampage” which features some excellent Southern rockabilly guitar work along with Nixon’s typical blue lyrics.