10 Years Ago Today, Hank Williams III (Hank3) Releases Magnum Opus “Straight To Hell”
There are albums that are a hoot to listen to, and there are albums that sell lots of copies. And then there are albums that help completely reshape music into something different than what it was before they were released. The first two don’t always translate to the third, and sometimes influence doesn’t always equate to sales and enjoyment. But whether these records are recognized by the wide population or not, they’re the projects that change music as we know it, broaden possibilities, and become so influential that the music can be heard in the bones of countless other albums and songs spanning well into the future.
Hank3’s Straight To Hell, released 10 years ago today, was one of those albums.
We talk today about how technology has put the power of music back in the hands of artists. Hank3’s Straight to Hell was arguably the first record to illustrate this truth in country music at large. Recorded on a piece of consumer electronics—a Korg D-1600 digital workstation—it took all the power of budget and production out of the hands of Hank3’s label Curb Records, and put it back into the hands of the artist. With help from bass player Joe Buck, and steel guitar player Andy Gibson, Hank3 set all budgetary restrictions aside, and allowed any and all creative juices to flow until it resulted in a double album magnum opus.
Along with being the first truly DIY album to be released in the country music industry proper, it was also the first album released under the CMA umbrella to include a parental advisory sticker, and the first to be required to be released with a “clean” version for consumer big box stores like Wal-Mart. And most importantly, it put all the disparate elements of underground country under one tent.
In underground country, there was before Straight to Hell, and after Straight to Hell. The album united angry country music listeners with its unabashed country protest songs like “Dick in Dixie” and “Not Everybody Likes Us.” It united country punks, and country metal fans from its hard edge, and Hank3’s affiliation with metal supergroup Superjoint Ritual, and elements of the “insurgent country” scene first championed by indie labels like Bloodshot Records in Chicago. And Straight to Hell did all of this while still being very much a country record, and not crossing the line into country punk or country metal, and even offering something for neotraditionalists to enjoy as well.
Straight to Hell created a rich and vibrant scene of bands and artists that is still around today, completely devoid of the industry, using the internet to find fans and connect with them, and inspiring bands to make music on their own. It opened doors for artists of today like Sturgill Simpson to have a space to operate in without the help of a major label. The album was a direct tie to the mid 70’s Outlaw era in country with artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, and Tompall Glaser’s renegade Hillbilly Central studios. It was the Outlaw attitude awakened in the modern era in both words and action.
But the most lasting legacy of Straight to Hell is the music itself. Angry, raw, explicit, but also erudite in its own way, Straight to Hell set a creative high watermark that arguably has yet to be attained again in country. Many fans only focus on the candid and raw lyricism about drug use and other explicit themes. But Straight to Hell was a concept record through and through. The songs of hard living, while making an excellent gateway for escapism and character creation, lead to the last song on the first album, the 6-minute “Angel of Sin” that resolves in the wisdom of how the lives of it’s characters lead to a dead end.
All of this is the setup to the second disc—a 42-minute foray into ambient sounds, rich audio imagery, and multiple raw acoustic tracks that capture Hank3 in his most pure form. Once again, an album-legnth conceptualized track was something never done before in country music, and it wasn’t just the groundbreaking approach that made it great, but the effort and outcome that still holds up today as something more than just a listening experience, but a journey into the mind—something many thought was not possible in the country format.
In the 10 years since Straight to Hell, underground copycatters have done their best to erode the magic of the album by taking only the sin, and none of the virtue from Straight to Hell. Many are fair to question Hank3’s own output post Straight to Hell, but as he puts it, it may take years for him to top the album, if he ever does. Many have tried. Few, if any, have even come close. But how could they?
Time is the ultimate judge and critic of music. 10 year anniversaries don’t always fall favorably for legendary records. They’re still too young to be considered vintage or retro, but are just old enough to be out of style. But unfolding the flaps of Straight to Hell today, re-living the music, looking at the iconic photo of Hank3, Andy Gibson, and Joe Buck holding up the D 1600 recording device defiantly, it’s hard to not feel the same magic you heard when you listened to the record for the first time.
Trigger
February 28, 2016 @ 7:16 pm
Folks,
I have seen many complaints from people saying they’re seeing popup ads on the site while browsing with iPhones and other Apple products. Saving Country Music has NEVER had popups, and WILL never have popups. The issue is Malware on YOUR iPhone. Saving Country Music has been exhaustively checked, and is completely clean of both popups and Malware. There is a confirmed and well-documented virus spreading on people’s iPhones that is causing the issue, specifically showing popups for giveaways for more iPhones. I DON’T CARE IF YOU ONLY SEE IT ON SAVING COUNTRY MUSIC. This particular piece of Malware ONLY shows up when you go to smaller sites like SCM. That way you blame the site, and make no effort to remove the Malware.
AD BLOCKERS DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. Even if you use an ad blocker to remove the ads, the virus is still on your phone, and more importantly, infecting other people’s phones through your email, cloud, wireless network, etc. That is why this issue has become worse and worse over the last week, and can migrate to different devices. You must remove the Malware or you WILL infect others.
For a detailed tutorial on how to remove the Malware, go to this article just posted today:
http://www.13newsnow.com/money/consumer/how-to-fight-mobile-malware/56475834
Here’s more information on the specific Malware issue:
http://www.mailshark.com.au/recent-security-news/participate-to-win-an-iphone-6s-malware-scam-22067
It’s also not a bad idea to download Malwarebytes, either in app or download form:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/malwarebytes-corporation/id610302098
I’m very sorry people are experiencing this issue but it has ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY CERTIFIABLY NOTHING to do with Saving Country Music. This site is just as much a victim as anyone, and this virus appears to be spreading rapidly, and affects smaller sites like Saving Country Music disproportionately. Saving Country Music is committed to NOT using popups, and puts incredible effort out to make sure it never serves Malware to users. If Saving Country Music was serving Malware to users, it would have been shut down by Google days ago. Here’s an independent source that says Saving Country Music is clean:
https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/results/www.savingcountrymusic.com
If you see other people complaining about this issue, please refer them to this tutorial. This issue is significantly affecting Saving Country Music and sites like it.
Thanks,
“The Triggerman”
Shell Jones
February 28, 2016 @ 8:18 pm
For any of you not comfortable with the DIY call 1-800-myapple. They will walk you through getting rid of any pop up problems on your apple products free of charge.
Diesel
February 28, 2016 @ 9:06 pm
I’m on this site at least twice a day, and it’s on my Galaxy S6. I never have a problem. Just sayin’
hoptowntiger94
February 28, 2016 @ 9:08 pm
Ha! Apple users said the same for years.
Trigger
February 28, 2016 @ 9:16 pm
It’s ONLY an iPhone issue, and maybe some other Mac devices. I still have yet to see the issue myself, but I am getting emails and comments about it like crazy, especially over the last couple of days as the virus has spread. On nights and weekends, it can be as much as 30% of the traffic coming to this site is on iPhones, and a lot of that traffic is experiencing this issue. The worst problem is getting people to understand that iPhones can get Malware, and that the issue is not just on this site.
Scott S.
February 29, 2016 @ 12:33 am
The link you provided says it is iOS and Android. I haven’t had the issue on my iPhone or iPad. But I also regularly backup, clear my cashe , and keep my devices up to date.
Jay
February 29, 2016 @ 9:17 am
Oh but I thought Apple products were impenetrable. Just to let you guys know. Coming from someone who does this as a job, Mac is just as easy to break during penetration testing as Windows or Linux distros are.
Rod Johnson
February 29, 2016 @ 9:18 am
I was having problems with the site for a couple of days on my Windows Phone, the problem was my website preferences got turned back to mobile. When in mobile the page loads up but jumps all over the place when trying to navigate. Switched back yo desktop no problems, but it will do it every time in mobile. Maybe that is some peoples problems on other devices.
Tony gunter
February 28, 2016 @ 7:32 pm
Great article. This album totally changed my life.
Matty T
February 28, 2016 @ 7:34 pm
Straight To Hell is one of the greatest country albums ever recorded. It’s one I never get tired of listening to and its going to go down in history as one of the greatest ever.
Garett Rosko
February 28, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
The first Hank 3 disc I bought… classic!
Brian
February 28, 2016 @ 7:44 pm
This is no doubt one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. It took me a long time to get my hands on an explicit version of Straight to Hell but it was well worth the wait to say I owns a copy. Definitely my favorite Hank3 album and it’s always in the truck, ready to be cranked up at a moments notice.
And as a side note, thanks for posting links to help with this malware issues. I know I have been having issues some I’m going to look into it.
hoptowntiger94
February 28, 2016 @ 8:26 pm
For years, every epic Friday or Saturday night began and ended with this album (my poor neighborhoods).
This album changed my life by changing my listening habits. I was a miserable, complaining mainstream country music fan, trapped. I thought Risin’ Outlaw was gimmicky, LBD was solid, but nothing prepared me for when I first listened to Straight to Hell.
Funny thing was when I got my advanced copy (a cool bi-fold package I lent out to one too many one night stands) I was living in corporate housing in Detroit. I had none of my shit up there so the only way I could have listen to it was in the company car ot through the DVD player in the apartment which lead to many notices posted on my door from the rental office.
Straight to Hell is still as fresh and innovative to me as when I first heard it 10 years ago.
Trig – I was hoping you would have mentioned how Straight to Hell was part inspiration for SCM. Maybe even a sandwich throwing story?
Trigger
February 28, 2016 @ 9:07 pm
Wow, I’m surprised someone remembers the sandwich story.
Hank3 was definitely the primary inspiration for Saving Country Music, and “Straight To Hell” was a big part of that. It’s the DIY spirit that I try to keep alive everyday.
PETE MARSHALL
February 28, 2016 @ 9:44 pm
I really like Hank 3 “Straight to Hell” cd I would recommend this cd to people who likes hardcore country fans. This cd is not only very good but it’s excellent.
Scott S.
February 29, 2016 @ 12:35 am
Love Hank III. There are many copycats, but only one III.
Hugo Spanky
February 29, 2016 @ 2:53 am
Since 10 years, this record never been far of my vinyl turntable. It’s one of this rares records that time doesn’t affect, Straight to hell sound always better each day you listen it.
Hank III is the most important singer since the great days of the 70’s. He put out of the scene many fakes singers and give us the possibility to listen a different Country. A Country music who looks like us.
Thanks Hank.
Acca Dacca
February 29, 2016 @ 7:42 am
Trigger, I’d say Straight to Hell was the first album I bought blindly based on your recommendation. Unfortunately it started a trend where I regularly pick up releases that you recommend, and rarely (if ever) am I disappointed. It’s worth noting that I don’t love it as much as others here, but I respect its importance to country music as a whole. And while I consider it a monumental achievement in terms of artistry and control, as you do, I almost think that its vulgarity holds it back. Many would disagree, but from the outside it always looked unsavory to my eyes; Hank3 cut pure country on this record, but he brought the “offend any and all listeners” aesthetic from his punk rock days into the fold. It’s not that I was really bothered by the subject matter or language, it just limits the audience for what is otherwise a masterful work. Don’t get me wrong, Straight to Hell‘s message is very much bolstered by it being the first album to go through the CMA and garner a Parental Advisory label. But one wonders how much of its influence is based in that little title. Just my opinion, anyway.
In what way? I’ve always felt like country was more of a thinking man’s music than most of its mainstream competition. When you strip it down to indie, the same applies (it’s just relative to the outlet). Are we speaking in metaphysical terms? In that case, it’s obvious that country typically resides in the “real world” as it were (at least for Alan Jackson) and not in any sort of psychedelic nether region. But I like to think that’s what keeps it from being pretentious most of the time. Of course, I’ve always considered the second disc’s album-length “Hidden Track” to be a difficult listen. It’s so esoteric that I have trouble getting into it. Again, I respect its significance, but I don’t garner much active enjoyment from the track.
Boatwrong
February 29, 2016 @ 7:46 am
Great Album. This is the pinnacle of Hank III’s work. I always hope every album he does will top it, but it remains king. “Pills I Took” is my favorite cut off the album.
Blackwater
February 29, 2016 @ 8:02 am
Nothing can be said that hasn’t already been said. I was late discovering hank3, but he opened a whole new appreciation for underground country and its my favorite sub genre now. I forked out the cash for a sealed vinyl… But have been scared to open it. Keep hoping I stumble on an open one someday.
Speaking of underground country, am I the only one who noticed Trig is listed as the drummer for the Boomswagglers on their fb page???
Don
February 29, 2016 @ 10:37 am
I was stationed in 29 Palms California when this came out. Many a mile was driven through the desert while listening to this outstanding album!
Rubber_city_cowboy
February 29, 2016 @ 6:40 pm
Funny you say that. After I fucked my leg up in the Corps back in ’10 and got the green weenie, i got real depressed and had some troubles. Heard this record for the first time and it in all honesty helped me on the road to recovery. Told Hank3 this story a few years back and he said ‘just glad you got home safe man, that means more to me than that album does to you’. Real stand up guy and he’s got a lot of respect for us Devils.
Pool
February 29, 2016 @ 10:52 am
Still one of my favorite albums, but it’s been a slow downhill progression with III since then, as far as I’m concerned. I keep telling myself that he just needs to spend more time on them, but there’s no way for me to know that that’s the problem. Maybe he just needs to do a bunch of drugs again.
Dusty45s
February 29, 2016 @ 11:53 am
I can’t believe it’s been out for a decade. It’s by far my most listened to country album & I still spin it regularly to this day. It kicked off my exploration of underground country music & totally changed what I listened to.
Jake W
February 29, 2016 @ 12:14 pm
ACCA Decca yeah I agree, though I do like the album it’s not gonna be on any greatest ever list because the songs, music, message, or singing was that incredible.
RD
February 29, 2016 @ 7:06 pm
I spent 6 weeks (mostly) in bed after major back surgery in 2006. My brother bought me this album, the second day I was home and I listened to it several times a day while I was laying there. This album, and every Burt Reynolds movie on DVD, got me through…
gary bond
March 1, 2016 @ 5:40 am
you have to go back to 1977 in my opinion to hear the album that started it all.A Man Must Carry On by Jerry Jeff Walker was the first completely original out of the box /concept/totally the artists vision album made.To me this is the album that opened the door for artist control!
Jack WIlliams
March 1, 2016 @ 7:40 am
I bought Risin’ Outlaw shortly after it came out. I had read the some review about how similar his voice and style was to Hank Sr. I liked it OK but didn’t love it. For example, I didn’t think it was anywhere near as good as the first three Buddy Miller albums I had recently bought after seeing him play guitar in Emmylou’s Spyboy band. I didn’t pick up LBD when it came out, even though there was an interesting interview with him around that time in No Depression magazine, mainly because of my first impression with Risin’ Outlaw. I guess I passed on Straight to Hell too.
I became a regular SCM shortly after the JTE Indianapolis incident in 2010. Definite picked up on the pro-Hank3 vibe from Trigger and the community. Then, Trigger had STH as his #1 album of the decade and LBD was at #5. Eventually, I ended up buying those two as well as some others on the list that I didn’t have (e.g., Dale, .357 String Band, Shack Shakers). I love both of those albums, with maybe STH getting the slight edge. I have to say that I haven’t listened to Disc 2 of STH all that much, mainly because I don’t have the patience to listen to the non-song parts of the long track. Would have liked if it was broken down by tracks like Guttertown.
I listened to Risin’ Outlaw recently. Better than I remembered.
ShadeGrown
March 4, 2016 @ 6:01 am
I bought Lovesick, Broke, and Drifting in 2002 while walking around Tower Records in Seattle looking for obscure heavy metal CDs. I had seen the short clip with Hank III on MTV2 – when they still played music videos – coming in/out of commercials. It showed him talking about playing two styles at his shows. This got my attention cause I had been a country fan growing up in the nineties but around ’97/’98 I had become so fed up with most of it and it’s inauthenticity. It was a combination of Brooks and Dunn rhyming paint with caint(?) and she thinks my tractor’s sexy that drove me out. The last country cd I bought was Chris Knights first, the same day I bought Lamb of God’s “New American Gospel”. Then,almost by accident I came across LBaD. It must have been a year or so later that I saw him play for the first time and Scott H. Biram opened… I had faith in country music again! Saw him a time or 2 more, before STH came out. I had no idea it was happening cause daily internet wasn’t a thing back then, at least not for most. Shopping at Long Ear in Couer d’ Alene looking through the country section I found Straight To Hell. Drove around for hours just to listen to it with my soon to be wife. I don’t think I will ever have that feeling of discovery and awe again when it comes to music. I still say that DRRP is very underrated and had it came first it’d have had the same effect cause it has some of 3’s best tunes. But STH has a flawless flow to it. It works perfect as an album with its cohesiveness. I don’t think the impact that it made will EVER be matched. It’s Hank 3’s “Master Of Puppets”. I don’t know that he will ever do anything close to matching it and a lot of that has to do with the time/importance of the album. Great article Trig.
Frank the Tank
March 4, 2016 @ 9:20 pm
I agree that DRRP is somewhat underrated – there are some excellent songs on it. I also thought it was cool that Marty Stuart played in it. In fact, Risin’ Outlaw, LBD and DRRP are all very good albums, but Straight to Hell is clearly his best album. For some reason, I never listened to the second disc (I think it was because I had heard that it was heavy metal). Like someone else mentioned above, “Pills I Took” is my favourite song on this album.
ShadeGrown
March 6, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
The 2nd disc is worth listening too. You just have to know where to fast forward to. It’s worth it though. I agree with a previous post where they said it’d be better if the 2nd disc were like Guttertown, with individual tracks. It isn’t heavy metal at all – not one bit.