Hangry (feat. Warner E. Hodges)

#145 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Hangry, features the muscular guitar wrangling of Warner E. Hodges. An army brat, born in Germany, he was also the drummer in the family band. His father took him to see Deep Purple in the early 70's and that combined with his older brother turning him on to Hendrix and Zeppelin, Warner converted to guitar and the course was set. By the late 1970's Warner was living in Nashville and AC/DC and The Sex Pistols were holding equal sway in Warner's vision of what Rock could be. Combining forces with Jason Ringenberg, dropping Hank Williams and the Ramones in a blender, Jason & The Scorchers were born. Pioneers in the newly coined Alt Country and Americana genres they ultimately received the “Lifetime Achievement Award For Live Performance from the Americana Music Association in 2008. At that same time, Warner joined Dan Baird and Mauro Magellan (both ex Georgia Satellites) in a new band, Dan Baird & Homemade Sin and they began a five album, world touring run that only recently ended with Baird's retirement. Retirement does not appear to be on Warner's itinerary, as he continues to tour "anywhere and everywhere that has the electricity to stage the show and the money to pay the band." Quoting, as I often do, from Captain Beefheart’s 10 Commandments of Guitar Playing specifically #5; "If your brain is part of the process, you’re missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing." I believe that Warner's performance on this track is indeed, fur bearing. Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew "the kid" Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums, and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis), and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Blue Rose (feat. John McVey)

#144 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Blue Rose, features the primitive and tasty guitarisms of John McVey. A veteran of the Texas Blues scene, John honed his chops touring the Chitlin’ Circuit. He was mentored by Blues legends Larry Davis and Albert King. His musical resume includes worldwide performances with Hook Herrera & the Hitchhikers and Paul Orta & the Kingpins. After hitting the jackpot with a Miller Genuine Draft commercial, John joined the Lavelle White Band in Austin as guitarist and band leader. With Lavelle, he played the major festival circuit for several years on shows with Luther Allison, John Lee Hooker, and more. John currently lives and gigs in around St. Louis. Check him out if you're in the neighborhood. Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Alvino Bennett (Dave Mason, Stevie Wonder) on drums, and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis), and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Crush (feat. Sadler Vaden)

#143 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Crush, features guitarslinger/producer, Sadler Vaden. Born in North Carolina and raised in South Carolina, Sadler was bitten by the bug at 10 years old when his dad took him to FarmAid '96 and when they returned home his Dad presented him with a guitar. By the time Sadler was 21 he had lost both his parents, his Father to alcoholism and his Mother to breast cancer. Taking refuge in music, and after paying his dues playing regionally with his first band, Leslie, he landed the guitar gig with Drivin' N Cryin". In 2013, he was hired by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit where he remains a member. Sadler is also an incredibly talented and successful producer, most notably with Morgan Wade's 2022 release, Reckless. Sadler is absolutely burnin' on this track, the way he just sits on the first note is some true badassery! I mean, he named his firstborn child Townshend, after the Who's Pete Townshend...can you hear it? Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Alvino Bennett (Dave Mason, Stevie Wonder) on drums, and myself on bass. The basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with overdubs at Sadler's place in Nashville. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.