Houston's Grandfather Child had its beginnings in 2009 when Lucas Gorham, who was then playing with the punk rock band Satin Hooks, saw a documentary film about gospel music called Sacred Steel. Gorham was struck by the sound and energy of the lapsteel guitar, an instrument Robert Randolph was just bringing to the public's eye. Gorham left Satin Hooks, taught himself how to play lapsteel, began writing secular songs that reflected a sacred steel electric gospel sound, and enlisting the help of three of Houston's top players (drummer Ryan Chavez, Robert Ellis, and Geoffrey Muller on bass and guitar), formed Grandfather Child. Mixing the electric gospel approach with country, gutbucket blues, R&B, funk, and soul, and a good deal of Gorham's amazing electric lapsteel playing, Grandfather Child quickly found a loyal area following. The band released a 7" EP, Waiting for You, in 2010. A full-length self-titled debut album appeared from New West Records in 2012. ~ Steve Leggett