The Suspects

1993–2002, 2007–present

ska

Houston's premier ska band, formed in early 1993 when Charlie Esparza and Bill Grady found each other through the bulletin board at the old Westheimer location of Sound Exchange records. With a revolving cast that grew into an octet featuring horns, keys, and a rhythm section, The Suspects mixed ska, rock, reggae, and dub in a way no other Houston band attempted.

Their debut Ninety-Nine Paid (1995), recorded at Sugarhill Studios by Andy Bradley, blended third-wave ska with skinhead reggae. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Ska followed in 1997, and the band released the Panic Button EP and Lost Along the Way in 2000. They won multiple Houston Press Music Awards, including Best Ska/Punk Band, Best Drummer (Claudio DePujadas), Best Vocalist (Thomas Escalante), Best Horn Section, and Song of the Year for "Caffeine."

After discovering that several members had been secretly working on a side project called Clouseaux, founding members Grady and Alan Hernandez felt marginalized, and the band played a farewell show at Fitzgerald's on August 23, 2002. Reunion shows at the Continental Club in 2007 led to a full-time return in 2008. Original vocalist Chris Kendrick, who had left in 1996 and been replaced by Thomas Escalante, rejoined in 2015 after Escalante's departure.

Members

Discography

Ninety-Nine Paid (1995)

Debut. Recorded at Sugarhill Studios by Andy Bradley.

  1. Thanks Johnny
  2. Caffeine Houston Press Song of the Year winner
  3. Freedom
  4. The Dance
  5. A Minor Hell
  6. Another Day Another Dollar
  7. The Nod
  8. Sizzle
  9. Lies Are Free
  10. Right On Time
  11. The Dub
  12. The Bad One
  13. Charlie's Creepy Song
  14. Big Truth

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Ska (1997)

  1. Chutney Song
  2. Free Checking
  3. 3-Eyed Fish
  4. Amnesia
  5. Slow Down
  6. Goodbye Brown Eyes
  7. Pancho Villa
  8. Nut'n

Panic Button (2000)

EP.

  1. Spare Me The Details
  2. Here Comes The King
  3. El Campo Slugger
  4. S.O.B.

Lost Along the Way (2000)

  1. Token Parade
  2. Novela
  3. ImPRession
  4. Sentimental Breakdown
  5. Beautiful Disgrace
  6. Lost Along The Way
  7. No Time For Tea
  8. Ace Of Spuds
  9. Stick It To The Man
  10. God Complex

Listen

Links

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