Hellbound Glory – Old Highs & New Lows
In the last few years, many new bands have sprung up in the new school Outlaw country scene. Some good, and some . . . well . . . not so good.
Some of these new bands seem to understand that addiction and the fight with inner devils and outer devils has been a theme of country music since its inception. And others just want to ape Hank III songs by shoehorning “The Devil! Whiskey! The Devil! Whiskey! Cocaine!” into as many titles and worn out choruses and chord progressions as they possibly can, missing the whole point.
Whether Reno, Nevada’s Hellbound Glory actually get this inherent addiction theme, or if they’re just so damn good at pulling the music off it doesn’t matter, they have risen to near the top of the hard Outlaw country sect as far as quality.
It also helps when bands just don’t sit around in their basement bitching about the state of country music keeping them down, but actually get out there are try to do something about it. You have to pay some attention to the business side, you have to get out there and tour, and you have to let the media know what you’re doing. With Hellbound Glory its check, check, and check! Here’s some verbage from the official press release about their new album Old Highs and New Lows, available On CD or for download:
“This is the second release for the band with punk n’ roll label Gearhead Records, but is actually the third record they’ve recorded. “The songs on this record are a mixture of brand new tracks, and re-recorded tracks from their first self-released out of print record,” says label owner Michelle Haunold. “The band was never happy with the recording on that first album, so we took some of the best tracks from that out of print CD and updated them while they were in the studio recording the new material. They added banjo, pedal steel, and fiddle to all the tracks to give it that feel of classic old country, and it turned out great.”
” “We’re really excited about the new record and the additional musicians the helped flesh the sound out,” says lead singer and songwriter Leroy Virgil. “I’m really happy with the recording and can’t wait to get out there and play these songs for our fans.”
Hellbound Glory formed in 2004, playing original rebel country songs in the style of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams. The band has played over 300 shows since their first official record Scumbag Country, opening for such legends as David Allen Coe, Junior Brown, and Jesse Dayton as well as Wayne Hancock and Hank III.”
I might have some of my own verbage to add one I get a hard copy of the album in my hands, but until then you should check this band out, they’re worth your time. You can start with the videos below:
AJ
February 19, 2010 @ 3:28 pm
Godamnit! Now there’s another fuggin’ album I gotta buy! These guys are great! Thanks for the heads up.
Colt Chaney
February 19, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
Sounds like a bad imitation of Hank III and DAC. I don’t want to hear people play like them, when I can just listen to them.
john
February 19, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
my brain jury is out on these guys. i don’t know. perhaps one day.
MR.BANDANA
February 19, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
I HAVE HEARD THEM AND I WANT TO HEAR THEIR NEW CD..
The Triggerman
February 19, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
I’m a little surprised at the mixed reviews. Certainly understand that there’s people out there trying to be DAC and Hank III as I said above, but I think these guys have something, at least from what I’ve heard on podcasts and those videos. I have their CD on the way. Maybe over a full LP they’ll be exposed, well see. But I think this Leroy Virgil guy is a good frontman.
Cathy"s Reinstate Hank Bandwagon
February 19, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
yep….i could see them opening for the aboved named. they got some good songs right there.
Cowfucker
February 19, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
It sounnds like Rascal Flatts trying to revamp their image to draw an “outlaw” following.
The Triggerman
February 20, 2010 @ 10:09 am
Rascal Flatts.
Really.
Burch
February 20, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
I like these guys a lot, remember hearing them on the Blue Ribbon podcast. I’ll definitely be picking this album up. I know they play out west a lot, hopefully they’ll make their way around the rest of the country at some point in time.
steve from truckee
February 20, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
hellbound glory fuckin rules reno,north tahoe and truckee
keep up the good work and see ya next week for the cd party
Taylor
February 21, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
These guys headline punk/rock/alt shows in Sac an absolutely blow every crowd away. They’re live performances have tons of energy and they really do jam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elnZV5gx03g&feature=related
It only gets better from here.
preacherman
February 21, 2010 @ 9:28 pm
had an opportunity to see these guys a couple years ago in a little hole in the wall honkytonk in fort collins colorado. They were great, a bunch of real good guys, just trying to get by. They live the life( or have lived it) they sing about. I was forever hooked. Look forward to seeing them again, and taking a seat on chicos train!
Crusty
February 22, 2010 @ 10:06 am
Hellbound Glory Kicks Ass!
Derek, .357 String Band
February 24, 2010 @ 10:56 am
I got to hear some of Leroy’s new songs right before I passed out on his living room floor, where he was putting us up after playing a show with them in Reno. Passing a guitar around at 5 in the morning didn’t sound much like Rascall Flatts to me – it sounded like real fucking music, because it was. Leroy’s a fantastic songwriter, and I’m sorry, but if you can’t tell the difference between this music and generic “faux-country”, it’s a you problem, not a Hellbound Glory problem. He gave us a preview copy of the new album the next morning, and we literally wore it out in our van. One of the best bands in the movement, period. I agree with you, Triggerman – I can’t believe their awesomeness isn’t immediately apparent to all who hear it…Cheers to Leroy and Hellbound Glory for a great album.
Paul J Miller
November 26, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
You said all that needs to be said. Leroy’s a real muthafucker, not some candycoated pretending a ‘hard-luck story’ (like some of y’all are used to.) Yeah, you people should stay away from these shows; you’ll get hurt anyway.
Aran
March 8, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
I saw these guys last fall, and have been awaiting the new release ever since (bought their first album at the show). GREAT live show, and really nice guys. Leroy made a point to come down into the crowd at the end of the last song, letting the guys jam out, and shake hands with the fans. Can’t wait to see them live again.
Ivanna
March 10, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
Cowfucker should go fuck a cow and stop making comments. If he actually took the time to listen or maybe go see a show, he would see that his comment is way off. What a poser!