Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears prepare to entertain DC on Feb 23.

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears — the latest in a long line of talented rock bands coming out of Austin, Texas — is set to blow the roof off of the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC on February 23. Joe Lewis, the band’s charismatic front man, spoke with On Tap about the Honeybears’ funky sound; getting noticed in Austin; and the song “Booty City,” an ode of sorts to the nation’s capital.

On Tap: How did growing up in Austin shape you as a musician?
Joe Lewis: Coming up in Austin is really hard, but it helps because there is so much music here and you have to work really hard to get noticed. And then once you break out, every other town is easy.

OT: How would you describe Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears’ sound to someone who hasn’t heard you? I’ve heard it called garage soul.
JL: I think that’s a pretty good description. It’s rock and roll. We’re a rock and roll band with horns.

OT: The most immediate comparison most people reach for — probably because of the funky horn section and your urgent singing style — is James Brown. Who were your primary musical influences?
JL: I listened to all kinds of stuff. James Brown. Lightnin’ Hopkins. The Stooges. I like Buck Owens. I like older country, because I think it’s really similar to blues. I don’t like newer country at all. I don’t think anybody does.

OT:  You’ve got a couple of songs that are about DC, at least in a sense. “Booty City” —tell us the story behind that one.
JL: We wrote that outside of DC9 because we were looking around and all the girls had big booties. I like DC. I’ve got an aunt there, and I’ve met some cool people from there.

OT: And what about “DC Killa”?
JL: That was the second song I ever wrote. It was about the sniper[s]. I wrote that one off the top of my head as I was watching the news.

OT: What’s next for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears?
JL: We’ll be working on another album and a couple of tours this year. We want to keep working, ya know? Try to keep that money coming in. I want to prolong my career and make a living at it. It’s way better than going back to my old job.

OT: Anything else you’d like to say to your fans, or would-be fans, in DC?
JL: Come check us out. Give us a chance! We just try to have fun and we’re always happy to be there.

Rock n Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE, DC; 202-388-7625; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

[googleMap name="Rock n Roll Hotel" width="590" height="235" mousewheel="false"]1353 H Street, NE, DC[/googleMap]