Nine Pound Hammer
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Owensboro, Kentucky, United States |
| Founder | Scott Luallen, Blaine Cartwright |
| Headquarters | Owensboro , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Nine-pound Hammer is a cowpunk group from the United States, established in 1985 by singer Scott Luallen and guitarist Blaine Cartwright in Owensboro, Kentucky. Their early recognition came through Crypt Records. The band was a pioneer among rural hardcore punk ensembles by incorporating blue-collar subject matter into their hardcore style, with lyrics exploring themes such as alcoholism, poverty in rural areas, and violence, often mentioning personalities like Jesco White and Dale Earnhardt. In contrast to urban cowpunk bands of the 1970s and 1980s from Los Angeles and the United Kingdom, which integrated country music elements more subtly, Nine-pound Hammer placed a strong emphasis on rural imagery.
Following the group's dissolution in 1997, Cartwright went on to create Nashville Pussy, preserving a comparable musical and lyrical approach but transitioning toward a hard rock and Southern rock sound, enhanced by the addition of a lead guitarist.
History
The initial performance of Nine-pound Hammer took place in 1984 at the Ross Theater in Evansville, Indiana, where they opened for the Disciples of Decadence. The original lineup included drummer Toby Myrig, David Epperson, and bassist Brian (Forrest) Payne. After several personnel changes and brief stints performing under the names Yuppie Mop Dogs and Raw Recruits, they ultimately adopted the name Nine-pound Hammer, inspired by Merle Travis's song Nine-pound hammer.
In 1988, Brian Moore (formerly of Active Ingredients) and Rob Hulsman (from Tarbox Ramblers) joined as bassist and drummer respectively before the band recorded their debut LP, The mud, the blood, and the beers.
To date, Nine-pound Hammer has released eleven studio albums alongside multiple EPs. Their third album, Hayseed timebomb, earned acclaim from The Guardian, which highlighted it as a notable "trashy indie" record.
In 2005, Nine-pound Hammer provided the theme music for Adult Swim's series 12 oz. Mouse, with Scott Luallen lending his voice to the character Roostre. Additionally, they contributed "Carl's Theme" to the soundtrack of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack, connecting to the show's character Carl.
Full-length
- The Mud, The Blood, and The Beers - 1988
- Smokin' Taters! - 1992
- Hayseed Timebomb - 1994
- Live At The VERA - 1999
- Kentucky Breakdown - 2004
- Mulebite Deluxe - 2005
- Sex, Drugs and Bill Monroe - 2008
- Country Classics - 2010
- Bluegrass Conspiracy - 2016
- The Barn's On Fire (Live) - 2017
- When The Sh*t Goes Down - 2021
- Rock 'n' Roll Radio - 2023
Other
- 12 oz. Mouse Theme - 2005
- Carl's Theme - Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack - 2007
Current line-up
- Scott Luallen (vocals)
- Blaine Cartwright (guitar)
- Earl Crim (guitar)
- Brian Pulito (drums)
- Mark Hendricks (bass)
Former members
- Brian Moore (bass)
- Matt Bartholomy (bass)
- Bill Waldron (drums)
- Bart Altman (bass)
- Rob Hulsman (drums)
- Adam Neal (drums)
- Johnny Evans (drums)