Austin’s self-proclaimed “trash poet” John Wesley Coleman III incorporates his heady musings and witticisms with analog slacker rock. His new full length release, Greatest Hits, will be released on October 23rd by local imprint Super Secret Records. Following years of varied creative output at a breakneck pace, including performing with psychedelic five-piece The Golden Boys and releasing a combination poetry book/CD titled American Trashcan, Coleman finds himself in new, unfamiliar creative turf – becoming a dad. Greatest Hits chronicles Coleman’s evolution as he subscribes to a new “hustle” – growing older and raising his daughter – and his struggle to bridge new and old ideas of being an artist. Coleman essentially sums this up as “shit being more real now.” His specific and enigmatic songwriting has never been all about seriousness, however. Tracks like “Bong Song,” Coleman’s sweet ode to the stoner who longs for more love in the world after watching too much cable news, and “Lawnmower Man,” an improved jam Coleman wrote and recorded in 15 minutes after a particularly grueling and smelly landscaping session – another one of his many side hustles – illustrate his ability to craft songs that are playful and cleverly subversive, while also expressing immutable sincerity. Sonically, he takes inspiration from the Southern swagger of Dwight Yoakam and George Jones, the classic rock of Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street, the punk rock turbulence of Iggy and the Stooges and The Ramones.

Jimmy Smith of The Hard Pans and The Gourds will be looking to make your butts move and your mouth want to drink beer.  A duo that puts out like a 4 piece. One man rhythm section with a wing man/woman. The system abides.