McGonigel's Mucky Duck

Greezy Wheels are among the last surviving performers of ‘Armadillo Rock’ still bringing it in 2011.  They were one of the first Austin acts ever signed to a major label (London), and they continue to release CD’s on their own label, MaHatMa Records. 

Founding members Cleve, Lissa and Mary Hattersley still lead the band, which now includes Penny Jo Pullus on back-up vocals, John Jordan (Vanguards, Chris Duarte Group) on bass and John Bush (Edie Brickell And the New Bohemians) on drums.

As the unofficial Armadillo World Headquarters House Band in the 70’s, Greezy Wheels opened or headlined first Austin gigs for the Flying Burrito Brothers, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willis Alan Ramsey (headlined), Alvin Crow (headlined); and dozens of others.  A legend in her own right, Sweet Mary participated in some of the wildest jam sessions in the history of the Armadillo, with such as Jean Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Leon Russell, Doug Sahm and dozens of others.

The band held down Wednesday nights at the legendary Soap Creek Saloon, where everyone from Jerry Jeff Walker to Delbert McClinton to Stevie Ray Vaughan rocked the joint.  Greezy Wheels hosted Tequila Wednesdays for four years, until they became too dangerous for the drinking public.  During this residency, they worked on and appeared in ‘Outlaw Blues’ with Peter Fonda.  Mary’s actually on the cover of the original video cassette.

The Wheels also became the darlings of the alt/country scene in New York City in the mid-to-late seventies, first appearing  at the Bottom Line, but then touring regularly through the infamous Lone Star Cafe.  When Cleve and Mary went on “hiatus” from the band, which lasted almost twenty-five years, Cleve spent several years managing the Lone Star, then the Blue Note Jazz Club, while Lissa worked at the School of Visual Arts, and both Cleve and Mary began a long association with Kinky Friedman.

The band recently started touring outside Austin and Texas again, after decades away from the road.  Their performance at Levon Helm’s legendary ‘Midnight Ramble’ in Woodstock three summers ago brought the house down, and Cleve and Sweet Mary returned as a duet the following year, again wowing the Ramble audience.  

Among the many new fans the band has attracted are the old Warhol gang, including Joe ‘Joeboy’ Dallesandro, now one of their biggest fans.   From Willie to Warhol - there’s no denying it:  everybody juz loves dem ol greezy wheels.

Visit Greezy Whellss Website