omar-and-the-howlers

Did You Know

• • Omar Dykes, the band's namesake, initially played drums before switching to guitar.
• • The Howlers' gritty blues-rock sound was honed in Austin's vibrant 1970s music scene.
• • Their 1987 album, 'Hard Times in the Land of Plenty', garnered national attention.
• • Omar once opened for Stevie Ray Vaughan, solidifying his place in Texas blues.
• • Their music fused Chicago blues with a raw, Texas roadhouse energy.
• • Omar collaborated with Jimmie Vaughan on the track "Big Boss Man."
• • "Born With The Blues" is one of their most recognized signature songs.
• • Omar and the Howlers helped revitalize Texas blues during the 1980s.
• • They won multiple Austin Music Awards, cementing their local icon status.
• • Omar Dykes' gruff vocals and intense guitar work defined their lasting sound.
• • Omar & the Howlers formed in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, not Austin, Texas, where they rose to fame.
• • Omar Dykes, the band's namesake, once worked as a plumber before his music career took off.
• • Their blues-rock sound heavily influenced the 'Texas Flood' guitar style popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
• • The song "Hard Times in the Land of Plenty" gained unexpected popularity during the 1980s recession.
• • Omar collaborated with Jimmie Vaughan on the album 'Big Town,' solidifying his blues credentials.
• • Their 1987 album, 'Wall of Pride,' is considered a cornerstone of Texas blues-rock.
• • Omar's raw, emotive vocals were often compared to Howlin' Wolf, earning him the "Howler" moniker.
• • Though never achieving mainstream pop success, they maintained a devoted international following.
• • Omar & the Howlers toured extensively in Europe, contributing to the continent's blues revival.
• • Dykes' songwriting often addressed social issues, giving his blues a contemporary relevance.

Connected Places

Austin, TX