The World by Head

(Earth, Everywhere) On March 13, 2020 Head releases The World available on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and a slew of other digital distribution platforms. It marks their 6th release since forming in 2000. This is their first self-produced album, breaking from their previous studio approaches.

The World is a thematic rock record, heavy handed, warm and larger than life. The dense hard hitting rhythm pocket of Mike Luxford’s drums with Hunter’s overdriven JCM make for an intense sound with traces of punk and post-hardcore. Underneath it all is Jobot’s pounding, melodic bass lines, pushing the tunes forward without misdirected detours or cliché predictability. Vocally Hunter’s range is diverse, at times channeling Bowie, ranging from tender lower-end crooning on “Therapy,” to falsetto escapes and high register conviction on “Get Back.”

The three also perform in a 12 piece David Bowie tribute band from time to time, raising money for the less fortune and nonprofit music and art organizations. Head pays homage to the most reveared rock and roll artist of all time covering “Afraid” off of Bowie’s 2002 masterpiece Heathens. It is an honest revisit to one of Bowie’s lesser known gems.

Lyrically the album is Hunter’s reflection of the modern state of affairs. The songs are tangled in apocalyptic romance, pleading the case for the downfall of organized religion and its immoral contradictions, while asking the audience to seek action toward improving the human condition. The message is clear as his recent sobriety.

“For years I rocked and I rocked hard. I rocked so hard that I was rocking away from Rock and Roll, if that makes sense. I live to rock, but my signal chain had the wrong pedals. To quote my friends in Lagwagon, ‘I’m sick of being sick.’ Ultimately, alcohol and drugs made me break out in spots –spots I don’t want to be in. I am my higher power, and I am Rock and Roll. Why mistreat Rock and Roll? It’s a sin to self, and a sin to others.” – Hunter
To celebrate the glory of clarity, Hunter got to writing again.

“I had been so fucked up, for so long, that I wasn’t writing and wasn’t mindful of my creative partners, my family, and my wonderful wife, Kara. Three years had passed since I built a studio and I never used it for my own music. I’d show up to rehearsal in the bag, even on mornings rehearsals. I was constantly embarrassing myself. My use over the last decade had escalated to a point where I was not living my life, I had become a slave to happy hour and weekend benders. I was still performing, I was going to work every day, but it wasn’t me and I was a bloated pile of dog shit. It was a real drag. I needed to confront my pain and come to terms with years of hurt in a productive manner. I needed to come full circle with clarity and intention. I’m really proud of this album. This is what I live for, this is who I am. My partners Mike and Joe are super supportive, I owe them my best at all times. They give me theirs at all times, they are my brothers. We are transmitting pure signal, unwavering rock and roll glory.”

In light of this new found clarity, Hunter reached out to Sans Bar CEO Chris Marshall.

“Austin, TX is the live music capital of the world. My mission is to create a safe and inviting atmosphere for people who want to have a good time without alcohol. We offer live music, in a vibrant, environment, with sober drinks that you won’t find anywhere else.” - Marshall

“I’m really aligned with Chris’ philosophy, music is a beautiful way to channel recovery,” stated Hunter. Head rocks Sans Bar for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, kick-starting their local open mic night with Austin based, Recovery Unplugged. Hunter will launch a similar evening in Grand Rapids, in summer of 2020.
This will be their first tour outside of the Upper Midwest since their 2011 West Coast tour supporting the release of Strike of The Golden Eagle with Portland, OR based Peninsulas. The first leg of the tour takes them through the center of the US with their friends Lokella. Dates and venues listed below.

3/14 Louisville, KY - NIRVANA
3/15 Tulsa, OK - SOUNDPONY
3/17 Austin, TX - SANS BAR
3/18 New Orleans, LA - SANTOS
3/19 Memphis, TN - HI TONE
3/20 Lafayette, IN - NORTH END

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