Big Boys

Formed by frontman Randy “Biscuit” Turner along with guitarist Tim Kerr, bassist Chris Gates, and drummer Rey Washam in 1978, the Big Boys lived up to their name as the progenitors of Austin, Texas punk. Rather than conform to the strict stylistic limitations of East and West Coast hardcore, the fun-loving outfit experimented by fusing a bit of funk (even a horn section!) into their foundation of sneering and blazing riffs. Their most notable recorded bow was 1982’s FUN, FUN, FUN, but Turner and Co. made their greatest impact by opening the door for contemporaries like the Butthole Surfers. Their individual members would later be involved in acts like Junkyard, Rapeman, and Poison 13. In 2005, Turner was found dead in his Austin home the same day a cover story profiling him for the Austin Chronicle hit the stands.