Hank Williams III Releases ‘Grandiose Delusions’ Side Project Album

Starting in September, Hank Williams III began posting demo recordings, scratch tracks, and other bits of audio via YouTube that it appears he’s been accumulating over the years, with some of the stuff probably only fit of audiophiles, archivists, and Hank3 enthusiasts, and other tracks being pretty cool songs we previously hadn’t heard from the 3rd generation performer. Since it’s now been over nine years since Hank3 has officially released any new music, it was welcomed by most fans, even if they had to dig to find something that appeals to them.

The audio releases haven’t been exclusively country tracks, just like Hank3’s career has been a mix of other genres, especially punk and metal. In fact, most of the YouTube stuff fits outside of country. That is especially true for a full blown album Hank3 has been releasing on YouTube over the last few days called Weekend Star under the band name Grandiose Delusions, and a previously-unheard Hank3 pseudonym called Tripz Loop Killer.

Most definitely a departure from Hank3’s country stuff, and even his punk and metal projects, much of the Grandiose Delusions material is a strange mix of synth heavy electronica with a dark metal undertone. The image of a cover design in one of the videos reveals more details about this project that perhaps at some point was set for a proper release through “Hank 3 Records.”

All songs written by Tripz Loop Killer except “Dragon Attack” written by Brian May. All rhythm tracks were performed LIVE on this record. No loops Permitted! Drums, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals, Electric Guitar, performed, engineered, mixed, & mastered by Tripz Loop Killer years ago at The Underground Bunker Section of Haunted Ranch’s Institutional Supreme Program That Never Gives A Straight Answer Once granted all levels of clearance by the Government.”

“My Beater” was written directly for the Special guest Mickey Avalon! Roland, Korg, Arturia, TC Helicon, Sure, Peavy, Trace Elliot, Pearl Drums, Roscoe Basses. Art layout By the Clown In TX. Thanks to Muse’s Bloodize Eden Prosper. Special Thanks to: Megaforce Records, Patrick Files, Maria Ferrero/Adrenaline PR, and Mike Boles. Booking: Contact TKO

Though some fans of Hank Williams III seem to be freaking out that this album denotes some new shift in approach to his career, Hank3 appears to have recorded this album many years ago as a basement project, just like many of the tracks he’s been releasing lately. If he felt it was a major album release, he wouldn’t be throwing it up on YouTube for free. He would have manufactured CDs and uploading it to Spotify.

According to the liner notes, the album was recorded in the basement of Hank3’s Haunted Ranch, which was his spot in east Nashville where he ran his operation out of for years before he was forced to move from the location many years ago. According to Hank3, it was being forced to move from the Haunted Ranch and difficulty finding a new base of operations that have resulted in his virtual disappearance from both recording and touring for going on a decade.

Perhaps the release of all of this previously-recorded material is Hank3 kicking the cobwebs out, and getting ready for something new. Saving Country Music has reached out to Hank3, but he has not responded. As one of the catalysts for the current independent country music resurgence we’re currently amidst, Hank3’s absence has been felt distinctly, just as his return would be heralded, though some have worried how the new “woke” world we live in would handle an uncensored character like Hank3, or vice versa.

Recently on the hit podcast “2 Bears, 1 Cave” that pairs comedian Tom Segura with Bert Kreischer (and sometimes others), the subject of country music came up, first in the form of Hank Williams Jr. and his song “Country Boy Can Survive,” and then on to Hank Williams III, which will make those that experienced Hank3 live back in the day.

“This mother–cker,” Bert Kreischer starts in. “He puts on a show. He’s got two bands. He goes up and plays legit honky tonk. Hank3 is a bad mother–cker. I took my whole crew to see him. He plays two shows. He’s got one with his punk band that’s after. And then he’s got one with his country and western band. He does two sets. He sings like his granddaddy.”

This is the reason folks are salivating for new stuff, and a resurgence from Hank Williams III. For many though, Grandiose Delusions and Weekend Star will be more of a curiosity than an appetite pleaser. But it’s also important to understand it’s not mean to be a major Hank3 release. It’s part of the hard drive dump Hank3 is currently doing, hopefully to clear space for a new beginning.

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The Grandiose Delusions tracks can be found on Hank3’s YouTube page.
(videos not embeddable due to age restrictions)

TRACK LIST:

1. Disregod
2. Lay N 2 U
3. No Hesitation
4. Cummin Up 4 Air
5. Better Hit That
6. Endless Love
7. Defend Me
8. Gotta Feel It
9. What’s It Gonna Be
10. Part Of Me
11. Truth or Dare
12. Shameface
13. Motherphone
14. Beat Control
15. Weekend Star
16. *
17. Locked Up
18. Backseat Breaker
19. Tragedy Arms
20. Let’s Make Up
21. My Beater
22. Melt The Stars
23. Uptight
24. Grandiose Delusions
25. Just To Dom
26. Don’t Wait On Me
27. Dragon Attack

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