Hellbound Glory Leaves Gearhead Label / Reissues Album
(This story has been revised)
The band that has the strongest candidate for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year so far has officially left their label. Reno, Nevada’s Hellbound Glory has left Gearhead Records after months of minor spats and disagreement between the two sides, and is now working with Rusty Knuckles, a multi function merchandise company and record label.
“We were afraid that we would get overlooked if we were on a label that wasn’t actively putting out new records,” says lead singer and songwriter Leroy Vrigil.
With the changing music industry, Gearhead Records and owner Michelle Haunold are no longer putting out new releases, and instead are focusing on managing their current 80-album catalog. They will still carry Hellbound’s first album Scumbag Country, but Old Highs & New Lows will go out-of-print through them once the current inventory is sold out.
“I’m very proud of discovering Hellbound Glory and bringing them to the public’s attention,” shares Haunold. “I have no ego about this; it’s just the way things work out sometimes. I couldn’t give them what they needed. . . I have no desire to keep a band on the label that isn’t happy. I wish them success and happiness, and hope they find what they’re looking for.”
According to Haunold, she was disappointed with the sales of Hellbound’s first album, but decided to go ahead with Old Highs because she “really liked it.” Initially she tried to shop it to other labels, but when there were no takers, Gearhead released it themselves.
Meanwhile Hellbound Glory has repackaged and remastered Old Highs and New Lows as I first reported last week.
“We’ve started touring again and think we can find another label that might more aggressively promote us.” says Leroy Virgil.
On Outlaw Radio Episode 109, Virgil talked about being frustrated with Gearhead, how he did not like the Old Highs and New Lows cover, and his search for a new label.
I will be paying very close attention to Hellbound Glory, as I feel they have one of the most promising upcoming country songwriters at the helm, and the stuff to be one of those bands that can create mainstream appeal without compromising their heart and soul. Expect big things from this band in the future.
New Cover:
BlueRibbonRadio
October 14, 2010 @ 8:52 pm
I thought they went over to the Rusty Knuckles label.
http://www.myspace.com/shoprustyknuckles
The Triggerman
October 14, 2010 @ 9:29 pm
Man, I thought they were just selling their merch, but it says on their MySpace they are their label. Looks like I have some more digging to do. Thanks for the heads up!
BlueRibbonRadio
October 14, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
That very well could be the case, I had just noticed in passing the other day.
The Triggerman
October 14, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
Just revised it up top. I don’t know if long term they will be going with them as a label, but they are for sure right now the ones selling Old Highs and New lows in the new packaging, and they have Scumbag Country too so . . .
I’ll do some more digging and find out for sure.
Aran
October 14, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
I do expect big things from them, and I look forward to it. I like the new cover better than the old one.
The Triggerman
October 14, 2010 @ 9:32 pm
Eh, 6 one, half dozen the other for me.
Ojaioan
October 14, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
OKAY”¦I”™ll bite”¦what”™s the meaning behind the R-E-O-N on the weather vane? GREAT ROOSTER TOO! SOUNDS LIKE A CIVIL DEPARTURE FROM GEARHEAD ANYWAY…but then again I am just now listening to the ( Outlaw Radio Episode 109 ) I am way behind on the good stuff.
The Triggerman
October 14, 2010 @ 9:28 pm
I don’t know. I was wondering the same thing!
Stubblejumper
October 14, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
I think you guys are reading it backwards. Switch those letters around and you get Reno (which is home for them, isn’t it?)
The Triggerman
October 14, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
Ha! You’re totally right! That had been bugging me for the last week!
Ojaioan
October 14, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
gawddamn…I hate it when I miss the obvious! thanks
Autopsy IV
October 15, 2010 @ 6:13 am
Good luck to these guys.
Maybe they’ll get down Florida way one day.
The Triggerman
October 15, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
It sounds like their plan is to do more national touring. They have stopped doing their usual regional touring so we’ll see.
Stu
October 15, 2010 @ 7:35 am
So it says “remastered”, has anyone listened to the old and new side by side. Is there enough sonic difference that I (an insane completest) need to by the album again. (I might anyway as I’m a big fan and do like the new cover better.)
The Triggerman
October 15, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
I’m gonna try and get a copy and report back. I have to say, one thing I’m impressed with this album is how it sounds, production AND mixdown-wise, so it’s hard to see a ton of room for improvement, but you never know.
Scott
October 15, 2010 @ 8:09 am
Definitely country album of the year for me. Not buying this new one, though it is good to know it won’t be out print anytime soon simply for the sake of those who haven’t yet heard it. I literally hear this album every day at work on my co-worker’s i-pod that won’t properly shuffle… Never gets old!
crook
October 15, 2010 @ 9:17 am
my favorite band these days by a long stretch.i listened to this album so much i forget it only came out this year.guess i’m jumpin the gun hoping for some new stuff but i been listening to all this stuff leroy’s been doin lately on those youtube videos and on the end of that outlaw radio episode and its got me hoping for a leroy virgil solo acoustic, quickly followed by a 3rd hellbound glory masterpiece. man i gotta go listen to some right now.
The Triggerman
October 15, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
Their next album is going to be very important. This one is the classic “critics pick” that doesn’t do well commercially, but if he puts out another winner, popularity will have to start spreading.
Aran
October 15, 2010 @ 3:35 pm
I know a new album is on the horizon, Leroy writes great songs practically in his sleep. But I think the touring is the priority right now, and the label change could slow down a new project. I, also, can’t wait for more Hellbound Glory. I’m LOVING his new songs. Feudin’, and Shell of a Hell of a Man are new favorites already.
crook
October 26, 2010 @ 10:12 am
cant get “feudin” outta my head since i heard it.
cathy
October 15, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
i didn’t know them before so i gave a listen to amazon’s samples of Scumbag Country…..really good. i like fast pace stuff….only 2 cds left in stock on amazon
The Triggerman
October 15, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
If it goes out of stock on Amazon or through Gearhead, people can get either album through Rusty Knuckles:
http://rusty-knuckles.myshopify.com/collections/music
Ivanna
October 26, 2010 @ 10:20 am
You can also go to http://www.shophellboundglory.com.
David Lee
October 16, 2010 @ 12:23 am
I know you are banking on them to be popular. Maybe your ass kissin and hard work will pay off lol.
I really do hope they gain momentum they are a good band. I like the old cover.
Aran
October 16, 2010 @ 8:14 am
When I opened for Hellbound Glory in August, I didn’t expect many of my friends to be into them. I was afraid a lot of my crowd would leave after my set. I was surprised (and maybe I shouldn’t have been) when EVERYONE stuck around, most of my friends were dancing, several of them bought CDs, and at least one has been following them on facebook and talking them up like a superfan. I agree with Triggerman, these guys have something that reaches the “masses” without compromising their sound.
Sean
October 16, 2010 @ 10:06 am
I LOVE this band, thanks so much for introducing me to them via this blog Triggerman.
These guys are super nice, super talented and deserve all the recognition and success in the world. When I asked them if I could use some of their tracks for my upcoming podcast, they responded quickly and offered use of anything of theirs. They also said in case the record label gave me any guff since technically the songs belong to them, they would shoot me some live tracks.
Rusty Knuckles is a good company too, my wife got me some hellbound glory merch for my birthday and their were some issues right off the bat, but they got it handled quickly and professionally.
Rusty Knuckles
October 18, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Hey folks, to help clear up any confusion if there was any, Hellbound originally came on board with Rusty Knuckles for the creation of all their merch. Once things got moving along other bands saw how well things were going with the online sales, promotions and overall vibe a few bands suggested we start a new music label as they wanted to work with us. We thought about it for a while and it made sense, if we could get the right distribution. After searching around with various distribution companies we were able to secure solid world wide physical distro along with digital distro and feel confident that we could get the bands heard. Since that move was made quite a few more bands came on board through the deals we offer. Our biggest idea is that we work directly with the bands and the musicians always own their music, we simply help them get their music heard. Its a change of pace reflecting a music industry that has always dictated terms to the artists. We consider ourselves sort of a co-op in which it only works if we all work together. As a label we are growing quickly and the same can be said for the merch side of the company, with that, we are honored that the fellas in Hellbound Glory enjoy working with us and appreciate all support from all the fans. With all of us working together surely we can make something great.
The Triggerman
October 18, 2010 @ 11:18 am
Thanks for the clarification/confirmation!