Ever since the first time I heard Superdrag on MTV as a kid, I’ve been obsessed with Nashville’s music scene. Even before I was on the internet I was already checking out anything rock-related I could get my hands on. From the underground to the mainstream, if it was from Nashville I just knew it was of higher quality. I wasn’t wrong. Here we are twenty-something years later and I’m still discovering and singing the praises of Music City’s indie scene. The By Gods, Them Fixes, The Lees Of Memory, Transylvania Stud, Hurts To Laugh to name a few. Now adding to that list is Hitman Louie. Their new EP Deconstruction is not only my Record Of The Day but my Nashville love coming full circle.
Hitman Louie combines elements of alternative, post-punk, and even metal to create a completely new take on rock n’ roll that’s equal parts exciting and comforting.
What makes Hitman Louie so comforting is the familiarity of Nashville vibes. There’s a certain indescribable sound indie Nashville bands have. Most of that comes from the fact Hitman Louie is made up of two of the scene’s most important figures. Vocalist and guitarist Weston Wellman is an engineer at Country Q studios, and bassist/guitarist Mike Purcell is one of the most valuable producers in Music City. Having Worked with some of my favorite bands on the scene, it’s not shocking Hitman Louie hits all the notes.
On the first Hitman Louie EP, Wellman and Purcell was joined by Nick Slack of The Lees Of Memory/Hurts To Laugh on drums. His controlled-chaos style helped to keep things grounded and focused. While on Deconstruct, percussion is handled by Cavo drummer Andy Herrin. His aggressive and sometimes frantic, style adds a different color to Hitman Louie, pushing the songs in more a progressive direction.
Make no mistake though, the line-up change isn’t due to drama, but a calculated decision to keep things unpredictable.
If there’s anything Hitman Louie does well, it’s unpredictability. While “The Adjuster” begins as Black Sabbath-meets-Danzig, it finishes with an almost shoegaze feel. On the flipside, “The Fitting” channels early Stone Temple Pilots and Faith No More. Despite wearing many hats in their short catalog, Hitman Louie never feels pretentious or safe. Be it thrash, grunge, or post-punk, Hitman Louie has all the bases covered.
If anyone tries to tell you rock is dead, tell them to give Hitman Louie a try and get back to you.
For more information on Hitman Louie or to purchase Deconstruct, find them on Bandcamp
