Formed in a trailer park in Corpus Christi, TX in 2014, Black Tarpoon is a roots influenced Hillbilly Punk Rock band. 

Starting off as a 2 piece, founding members Oatmeal Reed (acousic bass) and Jesse James (acoustic guitar and lead vocals) soon recruited as many miscreants and misfits to join their ranks as they could. After having Tashia the Don (Washboard) and Billy Mo added to the line up, as Tashia was Oatmeal's sister,  and Jesse's Wife, and Billy Mo Jesse's father, they became a family band. 

For years they encountered and overcame many struggles. From losing loved ones, weathering hurricanes, losing homes, having a child and adopting two  more, in the midst of this they managed to put out 2 ep's, 2 full length albums, a live album and a Split with a band called Black Irish Texas from Austin. All the while managing to somehow play festivals and gigs every where they could. After a series of unavoidable violent acts, the band relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 2021. This move opening up the list of possible locations to play and giving them a reprieve from the incessant heat of the South Texas climate. Adding  Randal Platt ( Guitar) and current members, Sean Hanson (banjo) and Cody West (Drums), the band was becoming more of solid lineup than ever before.

Then in October of 2022 tragedy struck the band, when founding member and driving force of Black Tarpoon, Oatmeal Reed, died suddenly of a heart attack in the Tarpoon's home. This left both an opening in the band and a void in their hearts. Coming to the rescue in their time of need, Dustin Johnson a Kansas City native stepped in with an upright bass. Giving them the lineup they'd need to send Oatmeal off right. At Muddy Roots Music Festival 2023, they gave a farewell to Oatmeal and scattered his ashes in the mud, giving their hardest and most emotional performance to date. With Sean stepping up to the plate, he and Jesse bagan writing together, the same as Jesse and Oatmeal.  Sean's unique writing styles, and heavy bluegrass, classic country, and obscure roots influences, helping the band become what they are today.