The Strange Lucy Experience
One of Wichita Falls' best-known bands takes over the Iron Horse
One of Wichita Falls best-known party rock cover bands — Strange Lucy — returned to the Iron Horse Pub with another of my favorite local bands, Hellen Bach, in support. In reality, either of these bands could headline the bill, so it was really a night packed full of excellent music and dancing and fun.
Greg Casillas was one of the first people I got to know when I came to Wichita Falls and I have been consistently impressed with his songwriting for his Better Strangers band, but this was my first time getting to see Strange Lucy.
I was not disappointed.
Greg approached his performance with professionalism and treated us to a night of rock that oscillated from mainstream rock to straight-up metal and back again.
Greg’s got a talented band in Strange Lucy, which includes John McGowan (also of Black River) on bass and Jason Deemer on rhythm guitar.
I can’t be certain, but I’m not sure I’ve photographed anyone on the Wichita Falls scene who looks more like a rock star than Strange Lucy lead guitarist, Ron Weaver.
I had never seen Ron before in person, and a fan of the band helped me put two and two together — Ron is the lead guitarist who just joined Greg’s other project, Better Strangers, which Greg and I talked about previously. Ron is a very good guitarist who can do everything from 1980s-style guitar heroics to heavy new-millennium riffing and chugging with equal attitude.
Strange Lucy welcomed some guest performers to the stage, including Angel Hunter, known to area metal fans for her time in Skinhook. Angel hadn’t been on stage in three years and shared her nerves on Facebook before she got up, but she killed it, and there were vocal fans in the crowd who were happy to see her up there again.
In addition to Angel Hunter, Hellen Bach’s Larissa Brown joined Strange Lucy for a couple songs and gave Greg a beverage break.
Beloved and appreciated longtime local music photographer Ernest Cooper getting some shots of Ron Weaver.
Drummer Dan Chilenski is the muscle of Strange Lucy. I got to chat with him briefly before the show, thinking we’d just met, and Dan reminded me, we’d met before. After watching Dan play, I will not forget him again. Thanks to Dan for doing the heavy-lifting.
Having experienced a Strange Lucy show and had a great time, I confess I’m now very eager to hear the new Better Strangers music with Ron Weaver on lead guitar. There’s a lot to keep our eyes (and ears) open for. Sign up for a free subscription so you don’t miss an update.
Follow the author on Facebook
Follow theFUSE on Instagram
I wish you were around for the Skinhook days. They were a great band. The first time I met Greg, he was singing Christina Aguilera at karaoke. I immediately made him my friend. 😂