The Meat Purveyors

Band history

In the summer of 1996, Bill Anderson and Jo Walston initiated the formation of the Texas Meat Purveyors in Austin, quickly drawing in Cherilyn diMond, Pete Stiles, and Nora Floyd. The band played a showcase at South By Southwest in spring 1997, after which a Bloodshot Records representative offered them a recording contract. They renamed themselves the Meat Purveyors to avoid conflict with an actual meat purveying business in Austin. Their first Bloodshot album, Sweet in the Pants, came out in late 1997.

More Songs About Buildings and Cows followed in summer 1999, but by New Year's Eve 1999/2000 the band announced they had broken up for good. Pain by Numbers arrived in summer 2004, and Someday Soon Things Will Be Much Worse! in summer 2006.

In October 2006 they called it quits again when Cherilyn diMond decided to marry and move to Maine; she reconsidered the move, and the band toured in 2007 and 2008. In August 2008 they released the EP Come And Take It, featuring three Bill Anderson originals and four covers. They are currently on another hiatus.

Did You Know?

• The band's recorded covers include songs by Ronee Blakley, Nick Lowe, ABBA, Foreigner, The Human League, and Ratt.
• The Meat Purveyors were noted for sassy stage play, immaculate harmonies, and a relentless percussive pace.
• Bill Anderson later played in Austin's Captain Beefheart-influenced Churchwood.