Oregon Music News

Shelton Hank Williams, known as Hank III, comes from a bloodline with strong musical ties to traditional country music. Hank III has taken things several steps further expanding his scope from his early work, which was more honky-tonk than the neotraditional country music that he plays today. In addition he has explored the punk rock, hardcore, and doom rock subgenres and incorporated them into his recordings. Hank III is a multi-talented musician who plays the drums, guitar, writes, records and produces his own music.

Hank III took a few minutes to talk to Oregon Music News about his three new albums, his upcoming tour, his exhausting three-set show, his freedom from Curb Records, and various projects that he has been a part of over the course of his career. Hank III will be in Portland on September 30th at the Roseland so don’t pass on the opportunity to see this eclectic outlaw troubadour. You’ll be glad that you did.

Hank III. Photo by Tara Israel.

You set the bar relatively high when you released 2006’s Straight To Hell. That album garnered rave review by critics and fans alike. This time around we get not only one album but three records. Isn’t that a huge undertaking?

I did it just to do something different that hasn’t been done before. People have written in the past how I’ve covered so many different styles, that’s the main inspiration.

The first is a double album, Ghost to a Ghost/Gutter Town. The first disc is more in the vein of what we might expect from you but Gutter Town, that’s very different from anything I’ve heard you do before. Can you describe that to the readers? To me is sounds like it’s a concept album.

I have a lot of open-minded fans. I’ve always done things different. That album is made for the kids that like to go on journeys when they listen to my music. It’s also an inspiration from Pink Floyd and bands like that. I’ve been a fan of spacey kind of music and ambient kind of sounds. Louisiana and Cajun music has always been close to all the Williams. I’ve worked in Louisiana many times with various bands. It was natural for me to do that.

Then there’s 3 Bar Ranch Cattle Callin’. How would you describe that? Because it is very unique.

I call it “cattlecore.” The music is inspired by bands like Slayer, Pantera and bands like that. I worked with auctioneers on that album and that hasn’t ever been done with heavy metal. For me this is offering new inspiration to auctioneers from around the world.

Then there’s Attention Deficit Domination, which is in the doom rock arena. You also dedicated that record to the late Layne Staley of Alice In Chains.

He's going straight to hell. Photo by Donnie Knutson.

Correct, this is definitely a doom rock album from top to bottom. When you see us live we are totally creating that kind of vibe with the scenes that will be playing behind us. In that band I’m actually trying to sing and I try to sound like Layne Staley. He was one of my vocal heroes; it was a shame he went so soon. He let that demon take him down like that. That album was my way of saying thanks to him for all the inspiration.

You’ll be bringing the show to Portland on September 30th. How much of a wrinkle will releasing all this music put in the set list? And how much of it will we be seeing you perform live?

We’re doing it all. I’m not doing all country records. We’ll be delivering 90 minutes of country, an hour of Attention Deficit Domination, 45 minutes of 3 Bar Ranch. Only the true athletes will be left standing or the true alcoholics who can stand for that long will remain at the end. It’s a long show man.

Last time you were in Portland you brought Kyle Turley along as opener. This time around there will be no opening act, correct?

There will be no opener. I don’t need one I’m already wearing out crowds as it is. There will be 1,500 people at the beginning for the show and by then there won’t be 150 left in the building.

Curb Records, your former label who you had a falling out with, released an album entitled Hillbilly Joker. You recorded that album in 2003 and they refused to release it. Can you give a little bit of background on your past frustration with Curb Records?

I always tell people not to buy it. The album has been there for ten years. This just shows how Curb Records is into bad business. It doesn’t matter if it’s me or Tim McGraw; anyone that has worked for that organization has no respect for them. Curb Records believe in nothing but bad business. They are about nothing but greed. This is contrary to the image they portray as a Christian-oriented label. Tim McGraw has made them millions of dollars and it’s still not enough for them and they are still dragging him through the coals. Look it up, you can read exactly what is going on with Tim McGraw and LeAnn Rimes–like I said for a Christian organization, it’s nothing but about greed.

Hank III — “Long Hauls and Close Calls”

You were in Superjoint Ritual with Phillip Anselmo and you were the bass player in that band; however, you were credited as “live bass” or “touring bass.” Did that have something to do with Curb Records? Are you able to say?

No. The first record was done by the time I joined the band. On the second record, I played on it but I just couldn’t be featured in certain pictures and stuff like that. Curb Records only held me back as far as my image goes.

What was it like being a part of Superjoint Ritual?

It was great. Phillip (Anselmo) has always been one of my heroes. It’s amazing when you get a chance to work with a hero. I was fortunate enough to do Arson Anthem with him also. It was an inspiring time for me; we did some great shows and a lot of energy. I think that my participation in that band helped a lot of heavy metal kids get into my style of country music.

Interestingly enough, there’s connection between you and the guys in Pantera. Since you know them, do you think there will ever come a day when (drummer) Vinnie Paul and (singer) Phillip Anselmo will be on speaking terms?

That’s completely up to them. I can’t speak for Phillip or for Vinnie. All I can speak for is the fans, which I am one of. I know the fans would love to see the surviving members of Pantera reunite. The only guy that could fill in for Dimebag would be Zakk Wylde. If there ever were to be a reunion tour, the fans would be very appreciative. They could dedicate the tour to Dime. I’ve heard Phillip say that he wishes they’d be on speaking terms and I’ve heard Vinnie say the same thing. I can just hope that one day they’ll both be able to be in the same room and they’ll be able to put the past behind them.

Arson Anthem’s self-titled album was recently reissued on Anselmo’s Housecore label. You play drums, Mike Williams (Eye Hate God) sings and Phillip Anselmo (Pantera, Superjoint Ritual, Down) plays guitar. How likely are we to see some new music from Arson Anthem in the near future?

That’s for fun. We do it here and there. I played drums on all the records that just came out and the country albums. I like to keep my drumming chops. Right now I’m leaving it up to them; if they want to hook back up we can have some fun again.

Is there anyone out there right now that has caught your attention musically?

I’ll have to make sure. I was in a hotel last night and this song came on the radio. I was with a friend and she said “I can Shazam it and find out who this is.” She did and it turned out to be this band called Muse. It was something about staying alive and the hook was “we can survive.” That caught my ear. Usually I’m listening to classic rock radio. If that was them, yes, I’m diggin’ it.

Maybe this is what Hank III was diggin’:

Hank III will perform at the Roseland on Friday, September 30th. This is an all ages event and showtime is 8pm. You can buy tickets here.