'I Just Thought The Band Would Fade Away' Raul Malo On The Mavericks' Resurrection

On the eve of their first ever Australian tour, The Mavericks' frontman Raul Malo has discussed the comeback of the highly successful Tex-Mex country act after their bitter disbandment back in 2004.

Like many of their fans, Malo believed that the band would never be resurrected.

“Oh no doubt,” he says as drives around his home city of Miami, running errands in a rare gap on the band's 2013 tour schedule. “I think we all had thoughts at some point that this was probably never going to happen again.

“I just thought the band would fade away. Sure, a few fans asking here and there about the band was a natural thing, but it became more than that. No matter where I was, what part of the world I travelled to, no matter who I was playing with or what I was doing – the conversation always came up about The Mavericks.

“People were asking if the band was ever getting back together. After a while you realise that the band probably meant a lot more to a lot of people than you thought. That was nice to witness and realise over the years.”

It was when the band were approached with a solid offer to reform for a five week tour in 2012 that Malo knew that, if the band were to get back together, the audience would be there waiting.

“The opportunity came up to do a tour. If the business wants us to do a tour then that means there's something there, because we all know that the music business doesn't go on instinct or hunches or even taste. The business moves on business, and if there's genuine Mavericks business then that means the fans are there.”

The band released a brilliant new record in In Time early this year and has been on the road for almost the entirety of 2013 in support of it.

Their split almost a decade ago was not a pleasant one, with court battles over royalties and the band's name, but bad blood between most members has been cleared and Malo believes they're all mature enough to enjoy this next period of their career.

“We've checked our egos at the door,” he says. “We're having a ball and everyone is in a great spiritual space and really enjoying the moment. We're all a little older, definitely a little wiser and I think we can appreciate this for what it is and really take care of it and just do it right this time around.

“We didn't know how we would get on musically [but] we knew as far as relationships go we were fine. We're friends and we've known each other most of our adult lives. Whatever differences you have, you get past them like brothers do and you move on. At the end of it you're still friends no matter what.”

He's certainly confident that the band has the goods to deliver on the live stage in 2013.

“I'm so looking forward to taking this band over there for the first time,” he says of this weekend's Aussie jaunt. “It's kind of fitting that this is the band they get to see, they never saw us early on but quite honestly I think this band is much better now than we've ever been. I know that kinda sounds like bragging, but it really is. I listen to those early records and they're good, but this band is so much better now.”

As for the future, Malo hints that another Mavericks record is a distinct possibility.

“Creativity begets creativity, we're on such a creative roll right now and I think I've probably got three or four songs for the next record already,” he reveals. “No specifics yet, of course, [touring] will keep us busy for the next year and a half or two, God willing!”