Hank III From Europe (MUST SEE Videos!)
For whatever reason, over the last few years Europe has become a huge support base for REAL country music. Bands that can barely scratch by in the Stars and Stripes are treated like top notch celebrities over the pond, with larger, more attentive and appreciative crowds and better pay. I have also met a lot of great friends, corespondents, and readers in the last year plus in doing this from Europe, people who appreciate and sometimes are fighting for a culture that is not their own, though they appreciate and respect it more than most who were raised in it.
That is why it made me so happy when Hank III announced that he would be touring Europe. Finally Europe would get a taste of one of the premier REAL country acts. Reviews, photos, and videos have been streaming in from III’s various appearances, and I have tried to compile most of them here for you.
First off Restless in Amsterdam has reviews, complete with pictures and some videos, of Hank III at the Lowlands Festival and at Underground in Cologne. Psychobimba from France also has some pictures of the Cologne show HERE.
There is also some BIG and professional quality photos of III from the Copenhagen show HERE. Gary Lindsey always seems to stand out in the still photos.
But the best thing to come out of Europe so far are the following videos by superscum done in amazing quality, with multiple cameras, and pro sound. I have never seen videos of this quality done for a REAL country artist, and it includes some NEW Hank III songs. When you get a chance, sit down, crack one open, and enjoy the closest thing you can get to a live Hank III show. Simply amazing.
***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE
You can now watch the whole hour long Hank III set from Lowlands with no interruptions by clicking here. You might want to watch it soon, because it may not be up forever.
***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE
August 29, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Hi, I’m willie,from Belgium.I agree with that many U.S. country bands are comin to Europe, but only NOT to Belgium???Only recently seen: Bob Wayne(right before he was goin touring with Hank(Germany), Ruby Dee & The Snakehandlers, Rancho Deluxe and Red Eye Junction, is not much till now.I know the reason: in Belgium there are almost not Country music fans,only line-dancing(preferly on hip hop shit.Airplay is simply non-existing here; no single country radio.So ,nobody will arrange a big country-fest here,afraid to loose their money, and I’m sure this would be a fact..We have here only 1 Booking Agency who keeps busy with alt-country, honky tonk etch(was this that hired Bob Wayne), but that’s all.Pity, Greetz Willie
August 29, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Hey Willie,
I think it will happen. More and more American roots is expanding in to other countries. Some bands are now even going to places like Serbia. Just keep spreading the word, and I’m sure someday the great American acts you enjoy will be playing in your back yard.
August 31, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
I just want to comment on how great these videos are. I’ve been waiting for a better quality version of “the rebel within”. I’d have to say that “the rebel within” just might top all of III’s songs for me. My heart raced just watching that video. I can’t imagine the intensity of the song live. Badass! I hope he hurries with his next album!
I also want to ask you, Triggerman, is that one of his biggest crowds? I’m used to being jammed packed inside a shitty bar at IIIs shows. Does he have turnouts like that here?
September 11, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
viva la hank 3….Does anyone know when he’ll be back in the states playin shows?
September 12, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
Nothing solid yet, but look for maybe some dates including the upper midwest and Texas in mid-late October.
September 22, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
Bang you got it! Country music is alive just not on the radio. We met Willie in Belgium and he’s a straight up dude.