Total Annihilation 7

Johnny: TA7 is almost like our super bowl at this point. We debuted there and did our most recent reunion show there at TA6. It's something we always look forward too.

Joe: We pull out all the stops and throw everything at the crowd there. Play some new stuff, some old stuff, and basically make sure the crowd that came out for us get what they paid for.

Johnny: If I don't feel like we made the crowd leave going "Holy shit" or feeling like they just had their faces melted off and their ear drums blown I don't feel like it was a successful TA show. We really bring it for TA and there's a reason for it.

Joe: Not to mention there's always a good band or two to see there as well. We're as much fans as we are performers there. It's going to be something else to check out The Rockers show. Just hope to God we don't have to go on before them.

Johnny: It'd be a pleasure to be able share the stage with them that's for sure. That or even play a tune with them. But we're looking forward to TA7 and have been busting our asses lately to bring everybody a good show. I've got a lot on my plate as of recently but I'm not trying to let it hinder this show and what it means to us to play it.


Signing to Kill The Poison Records

Johnny: After going independent on our own label for so long a lot of people were shocked when they heard we decided to sign on with them. There was just something appealing about them. We liked what they stood for and weren't genre exclusive. So it's going to be interesting for us to be on a label that has everything on it. Even some music we don't exactly feel in tune with. But everybody brings something to this big table.

Joe: We thought it over for quite sometime when were approached because we were comfortable with the fact that we made music with out anyone's help or distribution. It was untouched and you got it the way it came. There was no producer to tamper with it or tell us what sound to change. This was our biggest concern when signing with them. But they assured us that our music would stay as organic and original as we wanted it. When they sold us on the fact that we were signing up to a pure major label like this we decided to sign on.

Johnny: It was the diversity of music as well that brought us on as well. We like the idea of not being pigeonholed and this label kind of had the vibe we often went for. So it helped us in signing with them more than it hindered the decision. Rest assured though if there's any tampering with our distribution or the way our musical product comes out we'll be out. But I don't think that will be a problem. I have a feeling we're going to have a great relationship with KTP and may be with them for quite a while.

Edited by user 08 September 2012 09:53:11(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Feel like spilling my guts a little more. We're working hard on getting this album too you but we're taking a slight break to have a memorial show for my grandad. I'm excited about getting it out there with what new music we'll be bringing to you under our newer and stronger moniker. It's very southern rock influenced and we're all very excited to get it out there. Don't be discouraged with us since we signed to a label and changed our name. I assure you these things are minor compared to what we want to do on our level. Some of us have already got backlash. I've gotten a few nasty letters and emails from people who don't like the change. But I think this change will just make us a better band. Remember no change in attitude just a change in name. We're still the same as we always were.

You know how we like to put out concept and story albums every once in a while? Well we got another one in the works. After reading about some bootleggers and finding out I had a few shiners in my family. I decided to make an album based on it. Put some traditional stuff in it as well as some of our own tunes. Still trying to hash out the story but it's gonna be fun we think. Been thinking about asking my friend Brandon Caulfield to assist in the writing and direction of it as well. It'll be a hell of a collaboration between us. Going to throw Mr. Hess into the album as well to give it an extra rockabilly punch mixed with all that tradition and stuff. Anyway that's all the news from this side right now. Keep your eyes open for us.

OOC Note: Gonna open up a thread and actually rp out the memorial show so I can get some RP in with Erich and Brandon if you fellas are down. Give us a chance to rp some shows as well. I need to get some rust off after skipping TA. Needed a break for a bit after some family issues with own Grandad falling ill.

Johnny here friends! Here it is! Our first album under our new moniker. Something we've been excited about releasing for some time. Some fine southern rock and blues tinged stuff with our own flavor. It's something we're proud of because we worked very hard on it as we always do. We still released that demo to those of you who purchased tickets to see us at TA. I'm sorry we didn't show that year. As you know I've been going through some emotional issues. Anyway here it is! The track listing! I'll be getting around to putting up some liner notes here soon. thanks for all the love!

1. Die With My Boots On
2. Tribute To Muddy
3. Highway 61 Revisited
4. Ain't Much Left of Me
5. Electric Lemonade Jam
6. Raise Your Glass
7. West Virginia Wind
8. High Water (Song For Charley Patton)
9. White Lightnin'/White Heat
10. Burn A Page
11. Gangster of Love
12. One More Song

Liner Notes:

1. Die With My Boots On

We wrote this song with Grandad in mind and even were able over dub into the song because had actually been working on this song for himself before he died. So we made sure that he'd live on and finished it. Kicked it into high gear with this song and kept the hammer down pretty much for the whole album. The lyrics are still going through my head as I write this.

2. Tribute To Muddy

Pretty much a medley of Muddy Waters tunes strung together but we kept the same rhythm and time throughout. There's nothing as gritty and low down as a Muddy Waters song played on a dirty slide guitar. I love the rattling and humming sound that comes through the amplifier. Gives the shivers up my spine.

3. Highway 61 Revisited

Another amped up version of the original tune done by Bob Dylan and then channeled through Johnny Winter. It can't get much better than jamming out on this one and it got extended a little bit into one. Of course I love that opening lyric. "God said to Abraham kill me a son.... Abe said where you want this killin' done? He said out on Highway 61." It's one of my favorite songs to actually crank out at home with friends when we're having a backyard barbecue.

4. Ain't Much Left of Me

This actually by some friends of ours. A nice rocking southern rock jam about just being down low but still kicking and fighting. I think it's a tune that a lot of people should apply to themselves. You may be pretty far gone some times in life. But that don't mean you can't keep going. Our scars give us character. I got quite a few.

5. Electric Lemonade Jam

This is one of impromptu tunes that just happened organically like a lot of our songs do. We were fulling around between songs on the recording and then it just kept going. I ran into the booth and slammed the "record" button about as hard as I could. It sounds like a mix of Allman Brothers that transitions into one of those Jimi Hendrix psychedelic rock jams. The name just seemed to fit because it was one of my favorite alcoholic drinks. I like lemonade in general though. It's good stuff. Like sweet tea. It must be a southern thing.

6. Raise Your Glass

My buddy Erich Hess can actually thank himself for inspiring the name for this song and most of the lyrical content. After hearing his brief salute to my gramps I ended up writing a song about it with the basic concept in mind of friends gathering together to drink and reminisce. Think "Glory Days" though with less Springsteen and a bit more Skynyrd. No baseball and more football. It was a fun song to write. More fun to record. We had little drink after we finished it.

7. West Virginia Wind

A simple song about all the joys that being at home brings. Especially in the fall. I love the smell of burning wood. Listening to the rain come down on a tin roof. Hiking around in the woods. It's just a combination of all those things that I love about living there. I can't say enough about it. But it that Appalachian Folk stomp to it, with an alt country twist, and the right helping of bluegrass. Every thing a good song about West Virginia should have. I love that whole foot stomping break down with threw in the middle. You don't hear those very often.

8. High Water (Song For Charlie Patton)

This has got to be my all time favorite Bob Dylan tune. It really speaks to me about the times we're living in now. That and it has a mention of a woman getting in a fast car and tossing her panties out the window. With that said. What's not too like about this song? What's not too like about Bob Dylan? Not a damn thing in my eyes.

9. White Lightnin'/White Heat

A damn good song that we sped up a bit from the Ralph Stanley version and put some good ol' Appalachian stomp into it with some fiddle and guitar. It'll have you passing the jar around and dancing around the camp fire in no time. Just another real fun song too. A good fun tune when you're feeling down is all you need to put a big smile on your face. A little white lightning does the trick too.

10. Burn A Page

I heard the expression "I may not make the history books. But, damned if I'll burn a page or two." So that was basically the driving inspiration behind this southern rock influenced tour de force. Make a damned impression and leave a mark. Like Neil Young said it's better to burn out than fade away.

11. Gangster of Love

An old Johnny "Guitar" Watson song that just rocks my socks. Nice clean guitar parts and the lyrics are just killer. That's how an outlaw blues song should sound and well he nailed it. Damn good tune, hope we did it justice as usual. I actually wanted to learn it after hearing it on that old Axe Clix commercial. Sadly it doesn't make woman stare at you or gang tackle you into the dirt like it does on tv. False advertising sucks.

12. One More Song

You know when you play at a bar and you wanna strip your gear down for the night there's always somebody that says "Hey man one more song!" That's how you know you had a damn good night of tunes. So this was written with that sentiment in mind. It has a real "Tuesday's Gone" type feel too it which is really what we were looking for. Too be honest Tuesday's Gone is way better than Freebird when you're talking Skynyrd songs. Besides everybody wants to hear Freebird anyway. I'm a Tuesday's Gone type of guy.

Edited by user 29 September 2012 23:44:07(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

ooc: bump for a fellow musician friend of mine who's just been put into hospice care for cancer with only a few days left, gonna head up and play some tunes with his nephew who is also my best friend, and hopefully play one more with him before he gets called home.... Remember all your loved one's people. Just a little PSA from your friendly southern gent rper.

Brandon: I’ll definitely take part in the tour, I’ll be finishing up the new record within a couple of weeks, so I don’t see there being any sort of issue and of course I’d be honored to be included on your upcoming album and repay the favor for your appearance on my own record. I’m also very pleased to be able to invest and take on a role at Flying Boxcar Records, it’s a great venture that I’m looking forward to.

Ellie-Grace: I’d have been so very delighted to appear on your own tour but I’m afraid that I’m currently on tour and I’m committed to it up until April, the tour does however have an extended break from December 4th up until January so if you’d be happy to have me make a couple of guest appearances over that winter period then that would be wonderful!
Also I’d love to feature on your own record, again with touring commitments it could be a little tricky but I’m sure that on one of those rare days off I’d be able to drop into a studio and record with you guys, I’d be delighted to!

Brandon Caulfield:

Brandon has a respect for the roots of real music and can craft a song with the best of them. The way he puts imagery and thought into a song really speaks a lot for how well his mind works as an artist's perspective as well. His latest album is in library of purchases and it's a very good one. You can tell he puts a lot of time into his work despite his reclusive nature. I admire that because sometimes I tend to lose focus when making an album or have trouble looking for a certain direction at times. Though Brandon seems he is always on track when he puts one together. It's more of a process for me than it is for him. It seems to come naturally to him. Brandon just has raw talent and knows his way around a guitar as well. I'm glad that we've become associated and started working with each other.

Ellie-Grace Summers:

Ellie was admittedly my grandad's favorite country music performer before he passed away. I think what has really turned me on to her is the fact that her music has really matured. She's really seem to transition in her music from a girl to a woman and her last album really reflects that. This is part of why I picked her to feature in my album. I think having her play a mature role in the part of this concept album will really test her and show her talent as well. Which I believe is still growing. She's really coming into her own and that's what makes her unique and sets her apart from everyone else right now. I only think she's going to get better from where she is now. Her latest album is definite proof of that.

Erich Hess:

Erich Hess has a lip curling swagger that's just as big and bad as The King himself. Though he's not the greatest picker around a guitar he shines as a real rhythm guy. Now I must admit the ability to be a good rhythm guitarist takes just as much talent. You got to know timing and nuance along with all that good stuff that a decent musician should know. Hearing him bang out some rockabilly shake on his guitar is fun to watch. It's not fancy but it's damn effective and gets the point across. Fast, loud, and in your face like a biker driving down Route 66 drunk on whiskey and high on cocaine and methamphetamines. I mean in that in the most respectful way I can. Hess and his gang are a hell of a bunch of people.

Edited by user 11 October 2012 11:52:49(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

erich: i really hope to see everyone out there. by that,i mean in attendance.i dont have a fear of going blind....a least i didnt until i mentioned it.

erich:totally dig the name.it describes us so very well.give me a bit and i will see what i can come up with name wise. i've been brushing up on my fingerpicking,watching jim heath play always gets me in the mood to improve.

erich: like a cheap suit....i suppose.i dont think i've ever owned a suit. cheap or otherwise.

erich:sun will let us.one way or the other. hell hath no fury like a hess denied. my current plan is to stand outside their building wearing a sandwich board...and only a sandwich board. i've yet to work out what i'll print on the thing.but if history has taught us anything,its sandwich boards get results! why,did you know teddy Roosevelt got his start as president by wearing a sandwich board that read "bite me elenore!"? strange but true! of course,you'll be hard pressed to find evidence of this.the mason's had all existing pictures of teddy and his board erased and everyone involved was eventually killed.

karoliena: just when you think your spouse is normal.....