The Road Hammers return to Lethbridge for Whoop Up Days, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.
“ I’m the worst guy to ask about timelines, but it has been at least five or six years. But I’ve been to Lethbridge a lot,” observed Road Hammers co frontman Jason McCoy en route to Nashville to record another Road Hammers album. The Kitchener based country musician is joined by Albertan musicians Clayton Bellamy and Chris Byrne.
“I love Alberta. Whenever I come to Alberta, I always ask why I left. I lived in Camrose until I was about seven, so my first memories are of Alberta. I grew up in Alberta though I live in Ontario,” he said.
They released their most recent album, “the Squeeze” in May 2017 featuring several hit singles including “All Your Favourite Bands,” “the Squeeze,” “ Haulin’ Ass,” and “One Horse Town.”
The band’s sense of humour comes to the fore on “ Haulin’ Ass,” which shows McCoy picking up “escaped convicts,” band mates Clayton Bellamy and Chris Byrne while transporting a donkey and “No, that was no fun at all,” McCoy laughed.
“We always like to have fun with videos,” he said, adding the Road Hammers allows the members to blend their different musical tastes.
“ I’m more of a traditional country guy. Clayton is more of a rock guy,” he said, adding songs are chosen according to the best, so there are a few collaborations including with hit maker Jeffrey Steele.
“He basically wrote the top of the country charts. I’ve known Jeff for years,” McCoy continued.
Gavin Brown produced the new CD.
McCoy noted the band members are also involved with their own musical projects.
“I’m working on a new solo album and Chris is working on his more hard rock project,” he said.
“But we’re focusing on the Hammers,” he said, adding they have three new songs recorded, but don’t expect the new CD to be completed before 2019.
“ We all bring in songs and see what works. it’s coming together organically,” he noting all three of the members collaborate.
The Road Hammers are known for putting their own twist in popular songs like “ East Bound and Down,” Girl on the Billboard,” and more recently Steve Earle’s “Hillbilly Highway,” which was a collaboration with country/ pop singer Colt Ford.
“ We didn’t even get to meet him. For the video, they found a place in Alabama or Georgia which looked similar to where we shot and they put them together so it looks like we were together. So it’s totally Hollywood,” McCoy said, noting the band isn’t afraid to experiment with different musical styles like country pop and rap music.
“ I’m the traditional country guy, so I’m usually the one saying it isn’t country enough, but I end up being happy with it,” he said.
The band is looking forward to returning to Lethbridge.
“We‘ve had a lot of great times in Lethbridge,” he said.
The Road Hammers play the Gas King stage at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22. Admission is included with Whoop up Days admission.
