ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY
Home Sweet Home Alabama
By: John Gnesin
Just what is in the water in Richmond, Virginia? What is it about that city that produces kick-ass heavy rock, punk, and metal bands of the highest magnitude? Along with fellow townies Clutch, Pig Destroyer, and the sadly defunct PG. 99, the pure rock powerhouse known as Alabama Thunderpussy have made the leap from local heroes to internationally respected road-warriors through their mix of patience, dedication, an unmatchable work-ethic and unquenchable spirit. It all comes to a head on 'Fulton Hill,' the band's fifth full-length album, and a culmination of this band's perseverance, fortitude, and determination. I had a chance to check in with Brian Cox (drums) and Erik Larson (guitar) as they were slaving over a final mix of the album, so kick back, pour yourself a cold one, and prepare to be rocked...
Resound: Ok, lets talk about the new guy, singer John Weils, how did you hook up with him and what new elements, tricks, and talents does he bring to ATP? Has he contributed to the writing for the new album?
Bryan Cox: Well, we hooked up with him through the painstaking and exhausting audition process that we orchestrated after the departure of Throckmorton. John Weils e-mailed us, sent us some demo stuff, laid vocals down on our audition CD and then finally came out and allowed himself to be hazed by a battery of practicing and partying for a weekend. He did a great job with all of it, so we decided he was the man for the job.
As far as his contributions to the band go, he has brought a really powerful soulful and bluesy approach to vocals that wasn't there as much before. Although the music for record was pretty much written when he finally got out here, he wrote most of the lyrics and I think he came up with some really cool stuff. Other than that, he's just an all around good dude and it's been great working with him.
Erik Larson: I'd like to add that Johnny really showed commitment and a dedication from the get-go. He flew himself out, practiced with us for five-six hours at a time, and structured his life back in Columbus to be able to join at a moments notice. Basically, the dude is a bad ass and exactly what we were looking for. His vocals on this new one are really nothing short of amazing. Considering he had only two months to get lyrics and vocal patterns down, I don't think anyone will disagree.
Resound: I have heard a few different things about the title of the album, so where and what exactly is Fulton Hill and what led you to name your new record after it?
BC: Fulton Hill is the neighborhood that most of us live in now and the record was written there. We practice down in my basement there and I just thought it had a nice ring to it. It's also one of Richmond's oldest neighborhoods and is actually really close to one of the first places in the Americas that was stolen from the natives by European settlers.
EL: 'Fulton Hill' is kinda the last undiscovered neighborhood for cheap rent and such within the city limits on the east side. ATP as a band always tries to be true to what we do and where we come from, and due to the difficulties we've had the last year, it was a fitting title. When people hear the record, some folks may think to themselves, ‘whoa, where the fuck did they come up with this?’ Answer = 'Fulton Hill.'
Resound: How far along is the album at this point, are there any major surprises the fans can expect from the new material?
BC: Well, we are right in the middle of mixing and it's turning out really well. As usual, we tried to mix things up as much as possible and there's definitely a good amount of material on the new record that I think people will be surprised by. Overall, I would say that, in my opinion, the song writing is better than it ever has been and over the course of the last year the band has really gelled together nicely. I think we really are at the top of our game right now.
EL: Deep in the mix right now, which can be a mind-numbing experience. We've always just written what sounds good to us and we never really try to go for a ‘Sound.’ I will say that I think the ATP sound has finally hit the mark. We draw from so many different types of music, and I think this group of songs has captured that perfect blend.
Resound: The fifth album for a band as hard working as ATP has to be seen as kind of a landmark for both band and fans. When the band first started did you envision that you would have this kind of endurance and longevity to make it to big #5?
BC: Hell no, I figured we would play a few basement shows and split up like every other good band in Richmond. I always had the little glimmer of hope in the back of my head that we would be able to do something more with the band, but when you start out at absolute ground zero like we did, it seems so far away to think that you will ever be able even get your head above the surface. Needless to say, I am proud as shit.
EL: This band was the drunken brain-child between Bryan and myself. We just wanted to play music together since we had similar tastes and it didn't matter that neither one of us had played our respective instruments before. I think at the very beginning we just wanted to play some shows and maybe get a 7” out. As for lasting as long as we have (eight years this spring), I don't think about it that much. Basically what else would we be doing if we weren't in this band? It's just become who we are.
Resound: Reading over Erik's tour diaries posted on the website (www.alabamathunderpussy.com) just confirms for me that you guys are a rare breed when it comes to touring, worthy of the name: “Road Warriors.” Do you plan on keeping up the pace in support of the new record, and are there any places you haven't hit yet that you are looking forward to playing?
BC: Yes. In fact, we are planning on picking up the pace a little. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, we weren't able to tour as much as we would have liked to on the last record so we are planning on taking it up a notch this time around. Right now we are in the midst of booking a full US tour that will hopefully be followed by a full European tour. I think lots of bands these days seem to have forgotten about touring heavily and, to me, it's just as important as making records.
EL: The bands' goal from day one was more about live shows as I think it's what we do best. The past couple of years due to label changes, member changes, and other problems, we really haven't toured as much as I think we should have. As a goal, we try to play at least 100-150 days a year. That's what we're trying to keep consistent, and now with the line-up back up and running, maybe we can start reaching for that 200 mark.
Resound: While many people (myself included) have made the mistake of labeling ATP a "stoner" band, based on the riff-heavy and sometimes spacey style of music and the bands you guys regularly play with, I have since learned you guys dislike that label with a passion. Of course many of your fans (again, myself included) like to indulge in the green buds while rocking some ATP, do you disapprove of this activity or just the label?
BC: I don't really have a problem with anyone calling us whatever they want to call us. I just think that, because of a lot of knock-off bands that have emerged in the past five or six years, the term "stoner-rock" has taken on a connotation that I don't really feel says too much about us as a band. As far as actually smoking pot goes, some of us do and some of us don't and I will just leave it at that.
EL: I don't think we really fit comfortably into any categorization. So whatever people want to call us is fine. We like to let the music do the talkin'.
Fulton Hill will be released through Relapse May 25th, and Alabama Thunderpussy will be coming soon to a bar, roadhouse, or backwoods shack near you. Rock.
www.ALABAMATHUNDERPUSSY.com
VIRGIL the Guitar
While Erik and Bryan filled me in on the basics, I knew my journalistic mission would be incomplete without being able to question the enigmatic and mysterious “Sixth member" of ATP. I must say it was my honor to exchange a few words with a real-life rock deity, Virgil.
Resound: Ok, lets get one thing straight, are you Erik's instrument or is he your instrument?
Virgil: It's more of a symbiotic relationship.
If its not a rude question, how old are you and how long have you been playing with ATP?
I was forged in the Metal fires of the Gibson clan in 1996. Being of the warrior caste, as are all my Flying V brethren, I was instrumental in cleaving ATP's sound from the beginning.
Usually at a gig, the human members of ATP might get free beer and food, what special items are on Virgil's rider?
I too receive nourishment, only mine comes in the form of blood, sweat, cigarette smoke and the occasional alcoholic fluids.
OK, everyone knows you are the brains of this operation, when are you going to leave these guys behind and make a push for the real super-stardom you deserve?
My legacy has already been felt in road-houses and basements, bars and living rooms across the globe. My empire grows with each show and recording. There is no limit.
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