Hank3 & The Damn Band LIVE (A Photo Journal)
On Wednesday September 17th, Hank3 stopped at the Outland Ballroom in Springfield, MO for the start of his current West Coast tour. Hank3 played three separate sets of music for the packed house representing the three facets of the 3rd generation performer: Country, Hellbilly (A Fiendish Threat), and Metal (Attention Deficit Domination). Photo journalist Robert Kipness of Black Bird Creative was there to capture the event.
“The place was packed all throughout the night and the return of Dan Johnson on the steel guitar for the Damn Band/hellbilly set was a great experience,” says Robert. “The fiddle was on fire, the banjo was on point, the drums were heart pounding, and 3’s voice was sounding fantastic for it being the first night. Get yourself to a show as it’s only gonna get better as the tour rolls through.”
***Check Hank3 Tour Dates***
All photos © Robert Kipness – Black Bird Creative Photography
September 20, 2014 @ 9:32 am
This year was the first time since 2006 that I missed a Hank 3 show when he came around, due to work. In 2006 a buddy and me heard he was playing at The Dame in Lexington, KY and knew a little bit about him so we thought we would go check it out. I’m not really sure what we were expecting but him and his band exceeded those expectations by a long shot. I know the phrase gets tossed around a lot but we were blown away and it’s still up there with one of the best live performances I have ever witnessed. He was touring in support of the “Straight To Hell” album, which is arguably the best country album of the past 20 yrs. The thing I love about Hank 3 is you can tell country music is in his blood. I feel like so many people now learned how to play country music and the technical aspect but it doesn’t come across as authentic, at least not to me. It’s like they are missing the most important ingredient. A perfect example is The Byrds “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo”. Critics and music enthusiasts love this album and it is considered highly influential but I think it sounds forced and like guys playing dress-up.
If you want to see and hear some great country music from someone who is carrying on the tradition, then go see Hank 3 and his band.
September 20, 2014 @ 11:35 am
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing!
My first Hank III show was at the Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan (2007). I’ve been a crazed Hellbilly ever since; traveling to see him everywhere, sometimes twice a tour (2009 – Detroit and Flint, 2012 – Toledo and Grand Rapids). However, I’m getting too old for those back to back nights.
September 20, 2014 @ 3:57 pm
Might be a good idea for Tom Hiddleston to sign on as a roadie with this tour.
Great pictures. Many thanks.
September 20, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
EXACTLY!!!
September 20, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
Still bummed there isn’t a northwest… To make it worse Machine Head just canceled their tour!
September 20, 2014 @ 5:42 pm
Northwest show, of course
September 21, 2014 @ 11:18 am
We need you in the North west Hank!!!