Wayne Hancock

Now, those in the know about Wayne "The Train" know that he's the King of Juke Joint Swing.  So why does he play a heavy metal store when he's in Salt Lake City?

Cuz they're cool guys with a cool store, that's why.  Our buddies at the Heavy Metal Shop know good music when they hear it and have developed a serious music crush on Wayne, so much so they had him do an in-store show there last week.

Check out some video HERE

You can tell it's a Metal store by the big banner that says DIE MOTHERFUCKERS on the wall behind them.  Now, we just need to get Wayne on a bill with Goatwhore...

As some of us get ready to run out the door and head to Boston for our 15th Anniversary Shindig at the Middle East, here are some nifty goings on:

• Andre Williams recently recorded a new album for us in the Motor City with Matt Smith (Outrageous Cherry, Volebeats, Nathanial Mayer) at the controls.  Sitting in with them was Motown guitar legend Dennis Coffey.  Read about Dennis and the recording in the Detroit Metro Times here.

• Scott H. Biram played the Off Broadway in St Louis earlier in the month, and Lo-Fi STL was there to capture it on video.  Check Scott out in all his feral glory here

• Wayne Hancock submitted himself to some vigorous questioning by our buddies at PopMatters.com. Want to know what movie makes Wayne cry?  His favorite albums?  Can he rap?  Looky here for answers.

• The Chicago/Hideout Party is shaping up with the addition of the Drunken Spelling Bee and Belt Sander Races.  Also, we are so happy to have a reunion show by Moonshine Willy. Here's an interview with singer/guitarist Kim Docter on the Beechwood Reporter

Now, time to get some fresh scallops....

See you this week in Boston, and next week in Philly.  Where should I go for cheesesteaks and lobster rolls?

• On Monday, we had one of those evenings when we remember why we live here.  The Shelebration, a tribute to Shel Silverstein was held at Millennium downtown.  The weather was perfect.  We brought a picnic and jug of vodka and juice.  The band was Bobby Bare Jr, Nora O'Connor, Patrick from My Morning Jacket, Chris Scruggs and others.  Guests included Sally Timms, Will Oldham, Bobby Bare Sr and Jon Langford.  Check out the video Jon's version of the Shel-penned A Boy Named Sue here.

• What do YOU think of when you add up Salt Lake City and a Metal record store?  That's right: WAYNE HANCOCK! Turns out the dudes dig themselves some Wayne at our new buddies The Heavy Metal Shop store in SLC.  Check out these videos from an in store performance he did with Joe Buck Yourself here.

• Some Great tour announcements this week for our overseas buddies:  Deadstring Brothers will be in the UK in September behind their new album SÅo Paulo and Justin Townes Earle announced some Austrailian/New Zealand dates ("down under" I believe it is called) also in September.  So, that's plenty of time to make your plane reservations...

• Rob's Recommendation of the Week: Gale Street Inn on Milwaukee.  Every year, several friends and I congregate SOMEWHERE for strong drink, meaty meats, conviviality and the All Star Game (for BASEBALL, you Visigoths).   The AL won in part due to the triple by Tigers' outfielder Curtis Granderson.  Oh yeah. The ribs are of the meltinyourmouth variety.  Not smoked.  Just tender and addicting.  It being Chicago, our appetizer for the table (actually the horseshoe part of the bar near the TVs) was a FRIED CHICKEN.  Yes, a whole fried chicken.  Pass the toothpicks.   Say hi to the owner George, he's got the classic Chicago-Belushi-ish vibe.  By the way, the leftover ribs are one of the only things that heat up well in a microwave.  And Go Tigers!

Your weekly or semi-weekly peek into the swirling vortex of weirdness that is life in the Bloodshot Lane.  So, stop tweeting about the King of Pop for a few minutes, relax (the boss ain't watching) and catch up.  All items guaranteed to be Sequined Glove Free.

• Wayne Hancock on Sirius/XM. The Train is performing and being interviewd on the fancy satellite radio.  Show will on Tues June 30th @ 9pm eastern and Thursday July 2nd at 11pm eastern time.  Outlaw Country on Sirius 63 and XM channel 12.

• Justin Townes Earle's new, arty and beautiful video of "Midnight at the Movies" is up on Vimeo and YouTube.  Have a gander.  It's keen, as the kids say (or said).

• What music do musicians listen to?  This age-old question was posited to Ha Ha Tonka's Luke Long at SXSW this year and our friends at Rhapsody.  Check out the answer here.  Personally, I do not think his answer could be more wrong.  It's a BAD album.  I'll take it up with him later.

• While the blogosphere has its up sides, one glaring downside is the crappy writing.  "Reviews" of records that are more half-cocked diary entries like "oh dude, i was up all night doing Jager bombs and watching The Wire on Hulu and was, like, no way was I up for listening to this band" that have precious little to do with the music.  Thus, we are pleased when lengthy, well-crafted critiques come across our desks, like this one from Cheeky Chicago regarding Ha Ha Tonka's new one.  Read it, but beware, you may gain some actual insight on the music.

• Rob's Recommendation of the Week:  Nhu Lan Bakery.   Everyone's got that place (or, pity if you don't) in their 'hood that is just so good, so cheap, so GO TO, that you kinda take it for granted and, POOF, one day you are reminded, scolded almost, to NOT take if for granted.  Today, I atone for this and sing its praises.  Proving that not all colonialism was bad (ok, settle down, it's a joke), this Vietnamese sammich shop on Lawrence Ave in Chicago combines the fish sauce of the east with the crusty baguettes of ol' France.  They are cheap, very tasty, very filling.  The owners are super nice, the coffee nerve-endingly strong.  The flat screen TV over the drink cooler (lemon grass soda, anyone?) alternates between CNN and Asian Lingerie shows.  Some swear by the pate and head cheese sammiches, but they're a little rich for me.  I go for the BBQ pork.  Lots of cilantro, daikon radish and hot peppers.  Check it out, but don't neglect your own GO TO spot in your hood in the process.  Never forget those.

Next week, we'll be coming at you from the first of our 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q's in Pittsburgh.  Got any suggestions for excellent breakfast places?

BLOODSHOT DIGEST!
Semi-weekly, quick links to interesting Bloodshot things around the web.

• Brian Setzer made a surprise appearance at Wayne Hancock's show in Minneapolis last week. Here are a couple of video clips: 1, 2
• The Detroit Cobras were featured in an NPR piece about the state of the Detroit music scene: Listen here.
• Check out these nice pics of Justin Townes Earle performing in Toronto (via suckingalemon)
• The Beachwood Reporter featured Ha Ha Tonka's Luke Long in the first installment of their series, "Get To Know Your Chicago Bloodshot Musician"
• In more Ha Ha Tonka news, the band was featured in Rolling Stone's Hype Monitor. Gotta believe it!
• Daytrotter has a video session with Justin Townes Earle, check it out here.
• "South Florida musical god" Charlie Pickett is featured in the Miami Herald.

That's it for now, Bloodshotters! We'll be back on Friday!

Wayne "The Train" Hancock's new album is all done and ready to smoke jukeboxes all over the land. "Viper of Melody" is set for an April 21th release and will available on CD and a limited edition LP--just the way Wayne's music begs to be heard.

Pre-order now and hear  some advance tracks on the Bloodshot Radio station now!

A live performance of "Miller, Jack and Mad Dog," as well as a video to his classic "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" can be found on the DVD Bloodied But Unbowed. This DVD features 31 videos and live performances from the likes of Ryan Adams, Bobby Bare Jr, Deadstring Brothers, Detroit Cobras, Alejandro Escovedo, Old 97s, and the Waco Brothers, 8 short films with appearances and performances by Split Lip Rayfield, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, The Meat Purveyors and others, plus a photo and poster gallery .

Also, this live track, as well as the BONUS track "Shooting Star From Texas," is available exclusively as a download on the digital only "soundtrack" to the DVD.

Wayne Hancock has narrated a 18 minute documentary on the great western swing bandleader Adolph Hofner that is available up at batesline.com! Learn about his blending the sounds of Texas and Bohemia and an insight into Texas Dance Hall cullture. To watch the documentary take a look here!