Upbeat and a little grungy, “Bad Stretch of the Road”, the latest release from Rick Monroe and the Hitmen is a definite genre bender.
As a live act, Rick Monroe and The Hitmen are breaking the mainstream country mold. The evolution of the group has catapulted them forward, gaining fans by surprising and redefining what people believe a ‘Country” group looks and sounds like. An accurate description would be “A modern classic rock band with a heavy southern rock influence who doesn’t forget their Country roots.” – think The Eagles hanging out with Skynyrd jamming, but then Johnny Cash kicks in the door and crashes the party.
Technically the new kids on the scene with no major label backing, they started from the bottom, dug in and did the work. “It’s new, it’s different and it’s going to bring together generations.” one fan stated after attending one of the many sold out shows on rock legend Ted Nugent’s 2022 Detroit Muscle tour, on which Rick Monroe and The Hitmen were showcased as the sole support act.
Worth noting is the unique use of banjo and Sweepy Walker on harmonica. In addition to those sounds, they tapped Zach ‘Hooky” Williams, front man from Dead Eyes to add his own special flare to the track that would become “Bad Stretch of the Road”, helping round out the “Lead Burns Red” album.
Monroe and Hitmen bassist and track co-writer Alan Beeler discussed what an “active rock” approach to Country would sound like. What they collectively determined was that it should sound like Three Days Grace wrote a country or “country-ish” sound. Rick says, “The moment we got in the room the riffs started flying and “Hooky” lived up to his nick name because the song just flowed. The concept is basically we all hit hard times and you have to just push through it because nothing ever last forever.”
“Bad Stretch of the Road” was recorded at Universal/ East Iris Studios in Nashville and produced by the award-winning multi-platinum producer, Malcom Springer (The Low-Down Drifters, Nappy Roots, Matchbox Twenty, and Collective Soul).
Monroe handles vocals for the band and The Hitmen are represented by Bobby Perkins on guitar, Alan Beeler on bass and banjo, and Jason Bohl on drums. ” Mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering – California – U.S.A ”
“Bad Stretch of the Road” is being released by Epochal Artists Records / TLG / Ingrooves Music Group.
Monroe is a Monster Energy Music Artist and is also sponsored by Number Juan Tequila, Westone Audio & Fishman Audio, Roper Western Wear, GHS Strings, Shubb Capos, Speakeasy Original, SE Electronics, and Town and Country Ford (Nashville,TN).
“Bad Stretch of the Road” follows up their previous releases, “World’s Gone Crazy,” “God’s Ear.” “Common Ground” and “Best of You”.
LISTEN / DOWNLOAD “BAD STRETCH OF THE ROAD”
RICK MONROE & THE HITMEN LINKS:
Website: https://www.rickmonroe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickmonroeofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickmonroe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickmonroe/
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