John Surge and the Haymakers are prepping for the release of a new project. It's titled Almost Time and has a drop date of September 15th, 2023 via Blackbird Records. But first, for those of you not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.
John Surge and the Haymakers##
According to the band’s official website, the band was formed by singer-songwriter and frontman John Surge “during the summer of 2016.” Prior to that, he “had been swapping Everly Brothers-worthy harmonies with another songwriter as a band of the roots-influenced duo Haymaker.” Following the exit of his partner, he was left “without a band for the first time in years.”
"I'd never put my name on anything before," he recalled, "so I decided to try it.” He was soon joined by guitarist Randy Volin. Surge said: “He's like my Mike Campbell.” They added drummer Simon Runge and Alex U'ren on bass. In 2019 they released their debut disc, Your Wonderful Life.
Signature Sound
John Surge and the Haymakers’ signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including bluegrass, folk, honky tonk, roots rock, and California country.
Almost Time
Almost Time is an 11-track album that features nine original songs, a radio edit, and one clever cover. The album features a new version of the band’s live line-up. Surge leads the way on vocals and acoustic guitar.
He is backed by Randy Volin on electric guitar and harmony vocals, Brad Fordham on bass, Floyd Domino on piano, Tom Lewis on drums, Brennen Leigh on harmony vocals, and producer Tommy Detamore on pedal steel, dobro, and acoustic and electric guitar. Surge recently praised them noting that “these great players…have credits that include Merle, Waylon, Lucinda, and the Alvin brothers to name a few. And they were great to work with.”
Track by Track
The second selection is “Rattle Me”. This is a roadhouse country cut. It comes complete with an all too familiar truth and a fun, rootsy feel.
The next number is “Tricks Of The Trade”. This is definitely reminiscent of a Texas tune in both music and story. Notice the dueling electric rhythm guitars. (Did I say notice? Heck, ya can’t miss 'em!)
“I Should Have Known” follows here. It is a dutiful duet between Surge and Leigh. You can feel both the fizzle and the eventual acceptance of failure and closure in the music.
Also included here is “Lesson I Never Learned”. You know the message in this country-rock stomp is both well-known yet nothing new to too many listeners. Our weaknesses are sometimes life-long.
The seventh selection is “What Were We Thinking”. The signature sound remains solid. Guest musician Jess Meador on fiddle helps to give the track its own little identity too.
“Big Train” is the only adaptation on the album. This is a countrified cover version of a song by the American country rock band Rank And File and written by band members Chip and Tony Kinman. It comes complete with a heapin’ helping of honky tonk and even features Chip Kinman on harmonica, electric guitar, and accompanying vocals. (Surge’s hardcore fans may recall Rank And File is one of his musical influences.)
“All You Gotta Do” is an ample example of what Surge can do with a songwriting partner. He co-wrote this one with musician David Serby. John Carrol guests on acoustic guitar and Meador returns on the fiddle to make this one an upbeat, barn-burning bluegrass bit that just has to get live audiences moving.
They change direction with the official closing cut “Sister Honeybee”. It’s a country folk song story about an independent lady who dances to the beat of her own drummer and supports herself by making honey wine. Meador encores once more on fiddle to fill out this potential “slow dance” piece. The final track is “You’re So Right (Radio Edit)”. This is the album opener and saloon-style shuffle edited to make the song even more radio-ready.
Overall…
Overall, this is not your typical Texas country platter. It’s not an overly L.A.-influenced work either. The careful listener may notice an air of spontaneity and a refreshing sense of something new in terms of production choices that sometimes tunefully take them outside the expected box. This is a specially culled compilation of thematically tuneful tales of tavern troubles, barroom braggadocio, and ponderous pontifications exceptionally expressed in on-the-road, oft’times uncensored, song stories complete with more traditional country instruments. So, pick up John Surge and the Haymakers’ Almost Time and experience the talented “Tricks Of The Trade”.
(Images courtesy of John Surge and the Haymakers)