Arson Anthem's new album up and streaming

Sometimes the whole is greater then the sum of its parts.... and sometimes its not.  Arson Anthem is a prime example of the later.  Made up of Phil Anselmo (Pantera), Hank III, Mike IX Williams (EYEHATEGOD), and some bassist named Colin, you'd think some sludgey-southern-metal-genius would be born, but no - its really just another hardcore band.  Their new album, Insecurity Notoriety, hits stores on the 12th, but till then you can stream the album for free on the band's myspace page.   Today is starting to feel like free music day.

None More COUNTY!!! Two Hellbilly fucks invade NYC: Hank III and Lucky Tubb at Music Hall of Williamsburg, 6/24/09

Seriously, what a bad ass show last night. From 9pm to nearly 1 in the morning Music Hall of Williamsburg was filled with redneck metal heads and country music... gone metal. An interesting mix. Hank III and his punk metal side project band, Assjack, were clearly the headliners, but they did manage to pull in an opener that also came from a successful country gene pool- Lucky Tubb & The Modern Day Troubadours . Lucky Tubb is the great nephew of Earnest Tubb. Even though he is a little further away from being directly linked to the old timer, Lucky's music actually sounds more like it could have been straight from the 1950s than Hanks does. I later found out there was a good reason for this- 4 of the songs on the album were actually written in the 50's. Three by Lucky's Uncle Douglas (no, not Earnest) and the fourth by another relative, Ronnie Wade. The rest of the album is Lucky's own.

Lucky hit the stage punctually at 9pm and began his set by going nearly straight through his debut album "Damn the Luck". Right away just looking at him in his old time honky tonk getup, upright bassist, fiddler and lack-of drummer you could tell you were in for some serious George Jones/dale Watson shit. The crowd was a little hesitant at first but by the end of the set was clearly won over. Some highlights including the song, 'Texas TDC' (which is actually titled 'Huntsville' on the album). This song was one of many that were written during our boys 5 year stay in a Texas jail- over weed. What a waste, but at least some great songs and lyrics like "Some Mexican wants to make me there wife, but I don't think so" came out of it.

Lucky Tubb playing 'Texas TDC'

A little further along in the set Lucky was joined by Hank III for an extra special version of "Damn The Luck." I got to talk to Lucky after the set who said that was the first show they joined up on stage at, and was also teased that during Hank's set a special version of Jr.'s 'Family Tradition' would be played. Awesome set in all. I was completely won over.

Up next, the man of the hour - Shelton Hank the third.  He urged the crowd to sign the petition at his merch booth to get Hank Williams reinstated into the Grand Ol' Oprey (which is a joke, sorta like the country version of the RnR Hall of Fame in Cleveland) and then began "Country Heroes" which told of his great love for everyone from his grandaddy to David Allan Coe.   The energy level was high as hell, and although Hank pretty much stands pretty still and nods his head, the music and lyrics have enough energy in them to get the crowd moshing about.  The set consisted of "Long Hauls and Close Calls", "Pills I Took", "My Drinkin' Problem", "Crazed Country Rebel", "Dick In Dixie" and "Mississippi Mid" among others.   The faster songs got crowd surfers and a solid country pit going.  Hank smiled on as he watched this.   One of the most special parts of his set was when Lucky Tubb came out and joined him for "Family Tradition" (written by Hank III's daddy, Hank Jr.).  It sounded great, as Lucky and Hank switched off singing verses and then joined together for the chorus which was being screamed along by the crowd.

After Hank's country set there was a 15 minute break or so.  In this time about 2/3 of the crowd left.  Hank finished out the show with his band Assjack, fronted by Gary Lindsey.  It was a completely Murderjunkies inspired set, down to the blood and flinging of bodies.  They made no secret about this either, as Gary was wearing a GG Allin shirt, and GG's brother Merle Allin, left his spot in the crowd to join the band on stage.  Pretty interesting to see someone related to Hank Williams and GG Allin getting along and thrashing to well on stage together.  Something tells me Hank Sr. would be turning over in his grave, but if he was born now, he's probably be up on stage with them.

A clip of Hank III singing out 'The Grand Ol Oprey' plus some banter.

Some pictures:

Country/Metal connections

I'm in a country kick lately since I have the Hank III and Lucky Tubb concert tonight.  Gotta love that shit.  Hank III is basically metal though, so this isn't completely irrelevant.  His band, Assjack, is punk metal, and he also was the bassist in Superjoint Ritual which is so metal that those guys would rust if they stood in the rain.  They were fronted by little Philly Anselmo and the band name was knicked from a line in a Darkthrone song.  Rust, people, rust!

Not mention he sang on a Rebel Meets Rebel song, which is the other guys in Pantera with David Allen Coe on vocals.  Country and metal make sweet love in that band.

I linked every band in this post because they are all worthy!!!   If you dont know Pantera by now though, then you should probably kill yourself.

Rebel Meets Rebel........  check the badass-ness of David Allan Coe singing to Dimebags thrashin.

Michael Schenker tour announced

Michael Schenker is sort of like Axl Rose in the will-he-or-wont he show up style of playing shows. However, Schenker is just as talented (his first album with teh Scorpions, Lonesome Crow, has insane guitar playing and he was ONLY 17!!!)

Check him out on his current tour and on Eddie Trunks radio show Monday night, woo!

Tour Dates:

06-06:   Santa Fe Station, Las Vegas, NV

06-09:   Key Club, West Hollywood, CA
06-10:   Fat Cat, Modesto, CA
06-11:   Avalon, Santa Clara, CA 
06-12:   Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA
06-13:   Angel's Roadhouse, Yucaipa, CA 
06-14:   4th and B, San Diego, CA
06-16:   Club 101, El Paso, TX
06-18:   Rock Theatre, Oklahoma City, OK
06-19:   House of Blues, Houston, TX
06-20:   Hemisfair Park, San Antonio, TX
06-21:   Pontiac Garage, Dallas, TX
06-24:   Blender Theater, New York, NY 
06-25:   Jaxx, Springfield, VA
06-26:   Peabody's, Cleveland, OH 
06-27:   Harpos, Detroit, MI 
06-28:   Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI 
06-29:   House of Blues, Chicago, IL 
06-30:   Pop's, Sauget, IL 
07-03:   Vinnie's, Concord, CA 
07-04:   19 Broadway, Fairfax, CA 
07-08:   Studio Seven, Seattle, WA 
07-10:   Brixton, Redondo Beach, CA 
07-11:    Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana, CA 
07-13:   Roseland Theater, Portland, OR 
07-14:   Element, Victoria, BC CAN
07-16:   Orange Blossom Junction, Exeter, CA 
07-17:   Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, AZ 

I recommend that you all go out and see Michael while you still can.  I can't go to the NYC show, because my love must go over to Brooklyn where Hank III  and and Lucky Tubb are playing.  Yes, you will get a full report thursday!  I wish I could make both shows though.