The Tail Gators

Yes, this is it: swamp-rock heaven.
- Rolling Stone


My favorite American band.
- Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top


As an original LeRoi Brother, Leady helped define the strong roots rock scene in Austin. In the Tailgators, he fused Fabulous Thunderbird-style blues with hardscrabble swamp-rock that made the trio enormously popular. Whatever the musical configuration, Leady's stellar credentials make him worth a listen.
- The Austin Chronicle


Will the Austin, Tex., spring of hot rockers ever dry up? This "swamp rock" power trio of guitarist/singer Don Leady (ex-LeRoi Brothers), bassist Keith Ferguson (ex-Fabulous Thunderbirds) and drummer Gary (Mudcat) Smith, nearly shook the house down with a mix of swinging Texas blues and Cajun stomp, all set to a big beat. At times it was hard to believe that this came from only three players, but the combination of Leady's roots guitar licks and Ferguson and Smith's rock-solid rhythms made for explosive chemistry.
- LA Times


"The 'GATORS' late night spontaneity on these tracks, all done in one take with a minimum of overdubs, (if any), makes "TORE UP" quite possibly the rockinest of TAIL GATORS album yet. Expertly mixed by Steve Berlin and Mark Linett, (who've worked together on albums by Los Lobos, the Beat Farmers and Dave Alvin among others), "Tore Up" comes dangerously close to capturing the TAIL GATORS' legendary on-stage rock n' roll combustion. If it sounded any hotter the vinyl would melt."
- Wrestler Records


True to it's title, SWAMP ROCK gleefully combines traditional cajun meters, inflections, and instrumentation with catchy choruses and Leady's reedy vocals, resulting in a record unlike any contemporary effort. Packed with homespun lyrics and endearing tunes like "Rock and Roll Till the Cows Come Home," SWAMP ROCK has occupied a space on my heavy-listening shelf for weeks and has yet to wear out its welcome.
- Texas Monthly


For many however Don and his Tele literally defined the "Austin Music" sound for nearly a generation.
- Mark Rubin, Musician, Writer


First some perspective ... In 1969, Jimi Hendrix called ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons his favourite guitarist. For what it's worth, The Reverend W***y G. has since passed the compliment on to Don Leady (in effect) - having referred to The Tailgators as his favourite American band. And you'll soon see why. On this latest musical safari, the all-instrumental "Hillbilly Boogie Surfin' Blues", Don's passion for (and knowledge of) American roots music is self-evident. Here, we see the multi-instrumentalist at his genre-bending best. And, although the fiddle and accordion stay neatly packed away awaiting The Tailgators' next foray into Cajun and Zydeco territory, he still manages to include (and blend) early R&B, rockabilly, hillbilly boogie, surf, and blues then serve it all up like a spicy combo platter of guitar goodness. All I can say to vintage rock fans and fellow musicians alike is you've come to the right place: impossibly clean Tele twang, tank reverb, fretboard dives, glissando, the occasional exotic-sounding scale interval, you name it. ..... For new listeners, the lead playing is an excellent example of tasteful understatement. For aspiring pickers, it's an exercise in what not to play. So if you appreciate: The Ventures, Hank Marvin, Dick Dale, Danny Gatton, Albert Lee, Chet Atkins, Lonnie Mack, Gatemouth Brown, Brian Setzer or Creedence, have your credit card ready! This is the real deal. From the natural tone right down to the blue-green, gator-skin scratchplate, Don Leady epitomises the varied and authentic sounds to be found only in Texas.
- Jonathan Cant, Musician, Writer