"They're like a mix of The Replacements (only with more beer), the Supersuckers (only without Satan on their side), The Stooges (minus the heroin), and The Clash (minus the mohawk)"
Ted James - Owner of Deep Eddy Records
The Calbakes are Rolling Again..
The Calbakes emerged from the garage with a reckless sound brought together by the hard-hitting Frank Lewis and the quintessential frontman Rob Hankosky. The band is compared to Bad Religion, The Supersuckers, and The Clash.
The lineup, over the years, has seen some turnover with lead guitar and bass but Rob and Frank kept the band together, eventually landing a deal with Triggerfish Music out of Germany. The Calbakes played SXSW in '96 and enjoyed extensive radio play with the release of their EP "Stumblin' Out of the Garage". In 2003, The Calbakes released the full-length CD "Lone Star Licks".
With Steve Rocker (lead guitar) and Chris Catterson (bass) in their current lineup, they can been seen rocking the venues of Southwest Texas entertaining crowds at Sam's Burger Joint, Patsy's Icehouse, The White Rabbit, The Lounge, and anywhere else someone asks them to play.
"Calbakes are the definition of irrepressible. Together for seven years, they have been known for pounding out take-no-prisoners garage rock. Now that garage rock is experiencing a comeback, the Calbakes seem determined to keep doing it despite the trendiness...The Calbakes bear watching for different reasons. A rolling party, these boys can get you in trouble before you know it. But it will be trouble with a capital Tequila”
-Jim Beal, San Antonio Express News
“The Calbakes are an imaginative, garage-bred crew who have fun while pumping out music that knows few boundries...I fell off the quit-smoking wagon, but that’s what I get for going to Tacoland for a double-header of Flamin’ Hellcats and Calbakes”
-Jim Beal, San Antonio Express News
“Formed last winter and greatly influenced by the early Replacements and Bad Religion, these guys are rebels looking for a gig—with anyone”, “..this Cal-Tex style garage band, with it’s headbanging high energy songs has them lining up at the keg”, “..Lewis’ ceaseless drumming sets a wicked pace, while the guitars of Hankosky and Curtner drive these beer drinking songs down the road”
-Sharon Jones, Mike’s Feedback
“Members of The Calbakes have been busy with other bands. That they’ve gotten back together after a long hiatus means sane people should lock up the women and children and themselves. But for those who want kick-out-the- jams garage rock and revelry, THIS IS IT!!”
-Jim Beal, San Antonio Express News
“The Calbakes deserve praise for keeping the lyrics intelligible over the butt whupping drums and guitars. Your best bet is to catch The Calbakes’ live show”
-Richard Skanse, The San Antonio Current