One of the few bands in 1990s Austin that sounded like it could have been in town 50 years prior, Danny Barnes's trio made wistful Texas country that gleaned its special plunky charm from a bobbing tuba and mourning accordion. But Barnes's perfectly ache-y voice could have made the rest a moot point.
The Bad Livers originated from Austin, Texas, getting a start sometime around March 1990. Originally playing out under the moniker of The Danny Barnes Trio, lead singer Danny Barnes played banjo, guitar, and resonator guitar, Mark Rubin played bass and tuba, and Ralph White played fiddle and Cajun and Mexican accordion. Danny and Mark had worked together (briefly touring with Killbilly) and met Ralph, "the weirdest guy at a regular Wednesday night Cajun music jam" at a bar near Danny's house. The Bad Livers were never widely recognized or embraced by the Austin music scene, but their unconventional blend of tuba, accordion and banjo did find a home on the road with the other acts on the Touch and Go roster. Both core members, Danny and Mark continue to pursue various musical projects and you can find out what they are up to now through their website.