IV & the Strange Band Announce Debut Album “Southern Circus”
A fourth generation of the Hank Williams lineage will officially be crowned when IV and the Strange Band featuring Coleman Williams release their debut album Southern Circus on June 17th via the Black Country Rock label owned by Shooter Jennings. It’s quickly becoming one of the more anticipated releases of 2022.
As the great grandson of Hank Williams, grandson of Hank Jr., and the son of Hank Williams III, Coleman Williams decided to get into the family business at the age of 30. After first planning to release an EP on 4-20-2021, huge interest in the 4th generation performer had him pulling those plans, heading out on the road to refine his chops, and heading back into the studio for a more expanded effort, resulting in Southern Circus.
“Before I even knew who I was, people were already expecting things of me,” Coleman says in a statement. “It felt like there was zero freedom of expression for someone with the last name ‘Williams.’ Singing about a bloodline didn’t appeal to me, though. I wasn’t interested in fitting into a shadow that already existed. What did appeal to me was the underground scene in Nashville.”
And that’s what we’ve heard from IV and the Strange Band so far—a dour concoction of dark roots, mixed with a DIY punk and metal attitude, much music similar to his dad Hank3’s style of music than their predecessors, but still with those deep country roots intertwined within the sound. It may sound strange to some, but that’s what Coleman and the Strange Band is going for.
“I like to say, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stranger,'” says Williams. “I love strangeness and I love my Strange Band. The most genuine people in this world are those who allow themselves to be the weirdos they truly are, because once you repress yourself, that’s when you become someone you’re not.”
This sound has also allowed the band to tour with a disparate group, from Arkansas folk singer Willi Carlisle, to Eyehategod. Of course in country music, carrying a family name can be both your greatest asset, and your heaviest burden. But so far, Coleman has most certainly found a fan base in the “punk gone country” realm that his father carved out when first forming an underground in country music.
Southern Circus was produced by Jason Dietz who is also known as the bass player for the band The Hardin Draw, and has worked with former Hank3 bass player Joe Buck in the past. Along with guitarist David Talley also of the Hardin Draw, drummer Carson Kehrer, and banjoist Daniel Mason known for playing with Hank3, they make up the principle members of the Strange Band.
Fiddler Laura Beth Jewell and steel guitar player John Judkins also appear on the new album, and Jaime Wyatt appears on the album in a song called “Broken Pieces,” a song that Coleman says is based on “the idea someone can’t truly love you unless they know how fucked up you really are.”
Ahead of the new album IV and the Strange Band have released the single and video “Inbred” (see below)—inspired by the true-life story of the Fugates, who were a Kentucky family whose inbred history attracted the attention and anger of religious zealots during the 1800s.
Southern Circus is now available for pre-order.
Southern Circus Track List:
1. Train
2. Cigarette Ends
3. Inbred
4. Stand Your Ground
5. Southern Dispair
6. I’m Gonna Haunt You
7. Deep Down
8. Malice
9. Broken Pieces
10. Drinking Sad
11. Son of Sin
12. Filth
March 23, 2022 @ 10:48 am
I’m just gonna say here. I’ve heard from numerous readers who’ve attended IV and the Strange Band shows, and then talked to Coleman afterwards and mentioned they first heard about him here at Saving Country Music—which many readers do for many performers (and many did for Coleman)—and that apparently he’s had some very disparaging things to say about me. Normally I wouldn’t address something like this because I don’t run a popularity contest, and if an artist doesn’t like me for some reason, so be it. I’m a critic, and so it happens sometimes. But for this guy to be talking shit on me to folks who are literally walking up to him and saying they first heard about him on this site, and that’s the reason they put the effort to spend money on him, and take time from their evenings to be at his show, shows a concerning lack of character that I am choosing to blame on other people in this young man’s ear lying to him in some action of the Facebook rumor mill as opposed to his own autonomous judgement.
Coleman Williams and anyone else can say whatever they want. I blew this kid up from nothing. He saw it with his own eyes, I saw it with my own eyes, and thousands of folks saw it with their own eyes. On Facebook alone, my article announcing Coleman was getting into music from March 7th was shared 896 times. Over 100,000 people read the article via Google. I watched as his Facebook “likes” went from around 100 to 5 figures, and same with his Instagram followers, and almost overnight after I posted about him. Sure, someone else could have blown him up too. Maybe Shooter Jennings, maybe his dad. But they didn’t do it. I did. I took the unsolicited email from his producer, Jason Dietz. I took the time to write an informed and intriguing article about the guy. I have the platform for this kind of music, and this kind of artist to go viral on. There are THOUSANDS of other artists out there that would kill to be featured on Saving Country Music like Coleman Williams was, and like Sturgill Simpson and others were that created the spark that allowed them to have careers in this business. I know I’m “just a blogger.” Saving Country Music has never been anything more than a stepping stone. But for Coleman Williams to be ungrateful for that effort and tell my readers such, is very, very disappointing, and will reflect much more poorly on himself than Saving Country Music.
I’ve also heard the rumor that apparently the issue is the idea that I somehow “doxxed” Coleman’s mother. Of course, this is rank bullshit. I don’t even known Coleman’s mom’s name, let alone her address, phone number, or email. I did mention Coleman’s legal last name in my original article on IV and the Strange Band, which was imperative in the disambiguation of his name, and to DEFEND him preemptively against individuals who may say he was adopting a moniker unfairly. Doxxing is the publishing of private information in the public space. But of course there’s no evidence, no links, no screenshots, NOTHING that can or will corroborate this ludicrous charge.
Saving Country Music started 14 years ago very specifically to support Coleman’s father, Hank3. Over the years, I have been nothing but supportive of his entire family’s legacy, and when IV and the Strange Band first emerged, I was nothing but supportive of this project. I’m still a critic, and will give my honest opinions about the music when that time comes, and objectively, regardless of what Coleman or anyone in his camp feels about me. But my suggestion to Coleman would be to get some skins on the wall before you decide to start throwing your weight around, and seek out the full picture before you start talking shit about stuff you’re uninformed about. Because my readers are very supportive of music, very large, and very, very informed.
March 23, 2022 @ 11:25 am
Not trying to be rude or accusatory Trigger but why do you think it is that you have contentious/feud-like relationships with like 20 artis you cover?
March 23, 2022 @ 11:45 am
I know why a few don’t like Trig, but I don’t feel like rehashing old wounds and creating a shit show. I’ve found many of artists on here, Coleman taking the leap and doing music being one of them. I think a lot of it is bruised egos and not realizing the journalistic approach Trig sometimes does on things.
March 27, 2022 @ 2:24 am
Exquisite
March 23, 2022 @ 1:23 pm
Look, I’m a critic. I don’t run a popularity contest. If the artists I cover don’t like me, so be it. In fact, I prefer it to be that way so I can be honest about their music, and not feel like I’m injuring perceived friendships. This is why I don’t interview artists or hang out with them, with some exceptions. This is why many other journalists and outlets only post positive coverage of artists. They feel inferior, so they foster personal relationships with artists to gain clout. I know I’m having a positive effect on important artists and their careers, because I see the numbers. I don’t need to be their buddy.
50% of the professional movie reviews published are negative. In music, than number is less and 1%. At Saving Country Music, 90% of the coverage is positive, but I am willing to say critical things, and not because I’m trying to tear anyone down, but because I am trying to be constructive. To me, honesty is a sign of respect, but it is so unusual in the musical space these days, it’s taken as insult.
But this is the thing. I haven’t said anything negative about Coleman Williams. The dude has no reason to disparage me to people who walk up to him as say they know about him because of this site. I was the first to ever talk about him, and that article went viral. When he signed with Shooter’s record label, the only outlet that covered it was Saving Country Music. He just released a new song, video, and announced a new album today. Again, the only outlet that has covered it so far is Saving Country Music.
I’m not looking to start a beef here. I’m just informing the folks out there that are being misinformed. Like I said, I’m sure Coleman has someone in his ear filling him full of bullshit. There are a lot of people in the Shooter Jennings camp who still love to lie about the death of Shooter’s manager Jon Hensley and blame it on me. This might be tied to that somehow. That makes just about as much sense as me doxxing somebody’s mother. It’s all bullshit.
I wish the best to Coleman Williams, and I look forward to hearing this album.
March 25, 2022 @ 12:44 am
Lol
March 23, 2022 @ 12:59 pm
I would say if anything your criticism is very, very generous. I think Jackson Taylor and the Sinners sucks massive Donkey Balls in every single way. Their live videos are amateurish at best, yet you championed them constantly in the past.
March 29, 2022 @ 12:47 am
I must. Disagree , but hey it’s my opinion. Jackson and the Sinners are an accomplished and credible band. A True to his roots OUTLAW bunch that doesn’t hold back and speaks his mind.
Hank did it
Waylon did it
Coe did it
March 23, 2022 @ 1:18 pm
His “dislike” of you is more entertaining than his music. He should just say thanks and move along.
March 23, 2022 @ 6:31 pm
I’m more upset that you’re blowing up an artist that kind of sucks for the first time I can remember. That ‘inbred’ song is…not good.
March 23, 2022 @ 7:14 pm
I was going to cover Coleman regardless of how good or bad his music was. This site grew out of an organization called “Free Hank III,” and I’ve covered the lineage of the Williams bloodline extensively. Coleman blew up because there’s so much pent up appeal for what Hank Williams III was doing that nobody else is filling, and it gave people a lot of hope that Coleman could be that guy. Whether he will be remains to be seen.
March 24, 2022 @ 3:27 pm
Coleman sounds like a Class A jag off.
March 24, 2022 @ 8:46 pm
Keep doin what you do Trig! You’re doing right. This is big news for people that have been following this site since the free Hank III days. I remember the drama between you and that camp at least twice in the past. I’ve never met you before but I have respect for you and what you do and truly believe you are doing all of this for the right reason. For the music, the musicians and the fans of the music. I love that about this site. I have met shooter and he’s a good dude. Respect to him and all the great music he promotes and has been releasing on his label. Hellbound Glory deserves all the publicity and exposure they will ever get. As a fan of the music scene (not necessarily IV and the strange band) (yet) it sucks to see the lack of support or negativity towards you or your reviews or whatever it is because in the big picture this scene is fading and we need to support each other how ever we can!
March 23, 2022 @ 11:25 am
If I Don’t care For Hank III’s Hellbilly music I sure as Hell ain’t gonna like this shit… it seems like each generation of Williams Men comes out more Fucked up then the previous one did and it really shows here. If he doesn’t call about the Williams name and legacy he sure as shit doesn’t show it by going by “IV”….
It’s a shame really
March 23, 2022 @ 11:45 am
That quote is from the joker in the dark knight hahaha cmon coleman!!!
Have you guys heard the jeremy pinnell album released in october? People tell me it rips
March 23, 2022 @ 11:50 am
Eh the only thing I’m waiting for from BCR is that new Hellbound Glory album
March 23, 2022 @ 2:11 pm
I can’t wait for that! The rest of the roster is hot trash.
March 23, 2022 @ 12:45 pm
I love the album cover and the profile picture. The music feels like it’s made for drugs I’m not on. I’m not saying I don’t like it, but I definitely don’t get it.
March 23, 2022 @ 12:46 pm
I personally love Hank3s hellbilly stuff, not cause it’s such an articulate, grandiose country music style… But cause I NEED a little of that punk and rock n roll and I think Hank3 does a great job with it. That being said, I don’t expect a copy cat from IV, but he is adding some sorely missed style to the country music genre. And yes, I need a new Hellbound Glory album in the near future too.
Sorry for the bad blood between you two Trig, I don’t pretend to understand what’s going on but hopefully IV can square things away with you. Any free advertising should be welcomed with open arms by new artists.
March 23, 2022 @ 12:57 pm
” Singing about a bloodline didn’t appeal to me.” *****Carries Hank Williams name
March 23, 2022 @ 1:42 pm
He wants it both ways. Like most people.
March 23, 2022 @ 1:41 pm
Legacy is a difficult thing to carry. Some want to carry it others not. Some children of famous artists who made history in the Country Music world don’t give a damn about their parents’s fans (Moms and Dads).
In addition, when they release something, they don’t even share or thank the fans who care to share and publicize the work, like materials on this site as well.
Vanity is something that is killing talent.
That’s something I admire about old rock bands that treated their fans. They really paid attention, autographs, photos.
Today some artists want to interact with the public between one song and another.
I still see that the only one who fought and made a name for himself independent of his father and was always humble was Hank Jr. The others live treating fans of themselves and their parents as if they were customers. A fan is for life and a casual customer.
It’s a shame they forget about it. I think that it’s all related to passion and money. Maybe they don’t need money now as they parents needed in past.
March 23, 2022 @ 1:41 pm
I think I like the music so far, for the most part. I know I like this site. Don’t give a f*ck who said what about whom. Because I’m not a sixth-grade girl, mostly. But also because I don’t care about “IV” or “Colman” or whatever he calls himself. I do appreciate Trigger and his takes and ability to turn me on to music I otherwise wouldn’t hear.
So, whatever.
March 23, 2022 @ 2:15 pm
Sounds like an Everclear song that didn’t make the cut but with some banjo thrown in to make it seem like it’s in the proximity to country music.
But my great-granddaddy didn’t write no songs, so what do I know.
March 23, 2022 @ 2:33 pm
I like what I hear so far, I think hank 4 will be his own artist, but if he follows in the shoes of hank 3, who I am a huge fan of, then I am fine with that as well.
March 23, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
The idea and imagery used in Southern Circus are very similar to Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Snakedoctor Circus”. Which is a pretty good little album.
I am a sucker for circus-themed Western stuff.
March 23, 2022 @ 2:48 pm
Trig,
Long time reader, first time commenter. This guy doesn’t deserve your attention. He has nothing to offer the music world. He can’t write, play guitar, or sing. It’s a shame he needs the controversy, ‘cause he lacks the talent and uniqueness of everyone in his lineage. The Muddy Roots crowd has had far too many wanna be Hank3’s, most of which have crashed and burned, as will he.
Keep up the good work!
March 23, 2022 @ 3:04 pm
This level of hipsterism gives me hardcore secondhand embarrassment. It’s so far removed from anything remotely resembling authenticity, that one can’t even be sure of what is being imitated. His image and sound are constructs of unidentifiable material and influence.
March 23, 2022 @ 4:37 pm
And here I thought this song would be your jam.
March 23, 2022 @ 5:00 pm
Is he a biker?
Is he a cowboy?
Is he one of the Village People?
Does anyone know?
March 23, 2022 @ 5:54 pm
He’s living “his truth.”
March 23, 2022 @ 4:55 pm
Isn’t that what anyones original style is? Constructs of unidentifiable material and influence? Lots of weak arguments in this comment section. This reminds me of some of my favorite ‘90s rock elements mixed with hillbilly grass. I like it. Ooh I stuck out didn’t I?
March 23, 2022 @ 5:10 pm
You’re right, Mary; unidentifiable is the wrong word, and I was waiting for someone to call me out for it, although I thought it would be one of my groupies.
I should’ve said: he’s a construct of multiple influences, all at once, to the point that he’s not even sure who he’s trying to copy, because he’s trying to copy them all at the same time.
March 28, 2022 @ 7:30 am
Worse than being a construct of multiple influences, he’s a pretty mediocre songwriter, at least based on this. Honestly, I tend to think that’s the worse sin here.
March 23, 2022 @ 3:43 pm
We’re talking about music here, right?
Yay!
Because skidded up to the ticket window right before they closed this afternoon, & bought a ticket for the Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser show, On 1 April.
March 23, 2022 @ 5:24 pm
This is a first (and may still be the last) for me, but I upvoted the comment from Honk. It struck me as insightful and even eloquent .
March 23, 2022 @ 5:33 pm
@Lucky,
Even though i’m not talking to Honky right now – that comment was a dandy, to be sure.
March 23, 2022 @ 5:30 pm
I’m not buying into this one bit. And I say that being the biggest 3, Jr. and Senior fans. It feels like a cash grab using his dad’s retired persona (Shelton would never were a Bart Simpson t-shirt though). It’s been all marketing and very little substances so far… not organic. Inbred feels like manufactured corporate punk. This is a dog.
Trig – I wouldn’t even give it air. He’s hoping a feud with you will detract from the shitty music. He’s been trying to sell a brand – merchandise, posters (the cart before the horse) – before he’s exposed as a fraud.
March 25, 2022 @ 4:47 pm
Couldn’t have said it any better myself. Huge 3 fan but the bullshit image marketing before any actual substance of music or touring just screams unauthentic.
On a side note, I may have missed an article Trig but any thoughts on Brent Cobb opening for Maren Morris? Big Cobb fan but can’t bring myself to buy a ticket for Morris.
March 25, 2022 @ 5:01 pm
I wouldn’t go to see a Maren Morris show aside for maybe opposition research, but if Brent Cobb is opening shows for her, I say more power to him. Probably a good paying gig, and he can get some actual country songs in front of an audience that needs to be exposed to them.
March 23, 2022 @ 5:41 pm
I never saw his mother’s name mentioned on this site. But Coleman did have her listed publicly on his (previous) personal Facebook page. That’s 100% on him, in the unlikely event that anyone would misuse that information. There’s also a thing called Google that can pull up dozens of public information sites that list addresses and relatives. That can be a good or a bad thing.
March 23, 2022 @ 8:42 pm
Plus his birth name was also in the biography that covered all three Hanks that came out in 2011 or so.
April 21, 2022 @ 8:36 am
That’s a good point – never put something on Facebook that you don’t want people copying and pasting into Google. It’s 2022, should be common sense at this point. Makes no sense to blame a journalist.
March 23, 2022 @ 5:56 pm
To echo another poster what drugs to I need to take in order to understand wtf I just watched in that video? And I love music videos especially weird music videos but I don’t have a freakin clue what he’s trying to convey with that.
March 23, 2022 @ 6:33 pm
Based on looks, Dickey Betts might be his real father.
March 24, 2022 @ 9:01 pm
Good one!
March 23, 2022 @ 6:34 pm
So far I’ve really liked both singles. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album now.
March 23, 2022 @ 7:28 pm
Trigger,
Have you spoken to him directly? It seems not. Maybe you have tried but he refused. The rumor mill is not known for being the most accurate and authoritative source of information.
That said, that song is kinda weird. I will pass.
March 23, 2022 @ 7:35 pm
Hank Williams is rolling in his grave right now, that’s all I can say about it.
March 23, 2022 @ 9:12 pm
I’ll have to listen when I get a chance to really sit down. I liked Hank 3s music. Not a huge fan but I thought it had it’s merits. I appreciate people who try to do something different even if I don’t always like the end product. Far as this riff. I don’t know. Seems like a lot of he said, she said. We will see.
March 24, 2022 @ 5:22 am
Am I the only one who immediately thought of the Joe Exotic music videos while watching that?
March 24, 2022 @ 7:14 am
Trig have you heard of the band rebel son? They remind me of hank 3 but they just release a great concept album. Check them out
March 24, 2022 @ 7:38 am
Yes, I’m aware of Rebel Son. I will check it out.
March 24, 2022 @ 9:50 am
Rebel Son is unashamedly pro White people. There is no way they will ever get coverage on this website. I encourage anyone who reads this to seek out their stuff. It’s fantastic.
March 24, 2022 @ 10:03 am
Their new album is one big story. I didn’t hear any racist stuff in it. Music is music.
March 24, 2022 @ 2:27 pm
I looked up their Spotify bio. Yeah, that would trigger some folks around here.
March 24, 2022 @ 8:13 am
I’m curious what people have to say about IV’s live shows. If he can bring half the excitement and fun of a Hank 3 show, it would be worth checking him out live. I still haven’t heard much from him, and what I have heard has been lackluster. I still thought that first article Trig posted on him was weird. It seemed like IV, or the people around IV, were putting a lot of effort in his image (photos and style) with no music or background to back it up.
I’m trying to hold back forming a real opinion until I hear more of his music; but this feud thing doesn’t help me in thinking there’s something off with this project. That sucks because I’m a huge Hank 3 fan. I can’t count the amount of people I turned onto Hank 3 back in the early 2000s to 2010 by taking them to shows and playing his music while out doing whatever.
March 24, 2022 @ 8:29 am
Trig,
Who’s this dork?
https://youtu.be/h-2jKiEnnDg
March 24, 2022 @ 9:32 am
Ricky Fitzgerald, grandson of Butch Fitzgerald who may or may not be a son of Hank. Trig did a podcast talking about him. Hes making money as a tribute act.
March 24, 2022 @ 10:09 am
Thanks, Kevin.
March 24, 2022 @ 10:11 am
I’ve already been made aware that one of the (perhaps many) reasons some folks behind the IV and the Strange Band project are decidedly anti Saving Country Music is because I have reported extensively on Ricky Fitzgerald, and the issue of the illegitimate child Hank Williams very likely had with his first cousin, who Ricky is the grandson of. Maybe they think there is supposed to be some feud between Coleman Williams and Ricky, a.k.a. “Hank IV.” But Colin Escott delved deep into this issue in his Hank Williams biography, it was referenced briefly in the Hank Williams movie a few years ago, and Hank Jr. has signed off on Ricky using the family name. I am not the first or only person to bring it up, and I do so in the capacity of a journalist simply informing the public, not as someone taking any sort of side. I guess they think this issue should be just swept under the rug, but I would be in dereliction if I posted about the generations of Hank Williams performers, and did not at least mention the likelihood that Ricky Fitzgerald is in a direct bloodline with Hank Williams. The use of “Hank IV” is another issue, and again, for the public to decided.
I did a deep dive into this in Episode #11 of Country History X, available below, and anywhere podcasts are available.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/the-lost-bloodline-of-hank-williams-the-search-for-hank-iv-country-history-x/
March 24, 2022 @ 10:45 am
Thanks Trig.
I typed ‘Hank IV’ into YouTube, to see if I could find an interview of the Coleman kid, and this Fitzgerald kid was the first thing that popped up. It’s the first I’d heard of him. Strange that he’s impersonating Hank Jr., instead of Sr.
If I did my math right, Fitzgerald is Hank Jr.’s great-nephew. And I believe that makes Coleman and Fitzgerald 3rd cousins. Of course, if you take the inbreeding that Hank did, into consideration, it adds another level of complexity to the family tree.
March 24, 2022 @ 11:24 am
Wait. You could be onto something. That’s probably why the song is called “Inbred”. Nice work.
March 24, 2022 @ 2:01 pm
The song is supposed to be referencing the Fugate family but the lyrics do a poor job of explaining that.
March 24, 2022 @ 2:11 pm
I’d prefer to think it’s referencing the Williams family. That would be hilarious and make me have more respect for IV.
March 24, 2022 @ 2:32 pm
Douglas,
Coleman is the singer of “Inbred”. Fitzgerald is the one who’s actually inbred.
So, as usual, you failed. Don’t you get tired of following me? It’s getting weird.
March 24, 2022 @ 2:50 pm
Honker Cracker, I know that. I was finding common ground with you. I thought it hilarious that IV might have beef with Fitz IV and wrote a song called “Inbred” as an insult to him. I didn’t fail. I knew exactly what I was doing. Unfortunately, due to our history, you assumed I was being negative towards you. I wasn’t. I genuinely appreciated you bringing up the twisted Fitzgerald branch of the Williams tree. I gave an idea that caused laughter, of which I am in dire need. Good day.
March 24, 2022 @ 11:17 am
I liked some of Hank 3s stuff but this guy is trying to be King hipster and I don’t even think too many of the hipsters will like this. In addition, Trig, I wouldn’t even give him the time of day and likely the best press he has even gotten if he feels that way about you and this site.
March 24, 2022 @ 6:26 pm
I’m feelin’ the sound.
Don’t worry Trig. We got yer back.
March 25, 2022 @ 11:10 am
I gave “Inbred” a listen with an open mind. What the HELL was that?
March 25, 2022 @ 10:24 pm
He does have an acoustic version of this song as well on YouTube…but I personally like this version better. I still don’t know what to make out of IV to be honest, who knows maybe after he releases a couple of albums him & Hank 3 can do an album together.
I really miss Hank 3 been almost 10 years since Brothers of the 4×4 was released.
March 27, 2022 @ 7:28 am
Where is hank 3, Trig? Will we ever see him again?
March 27, 2022 @ 7:37 am
I wish I had an answer for you. I’ve done everything I can to compel him back into the public. I’ve expended every effort to get an official update on him that I can share without being an outright annoyance. Hopefully he re-emerges in his good time.
March 28, 2022 @ 4:19 am
His music is garbage. i know that much
June 13, 2022 @ 9:59 am
So far I really dig the songs Son of Sin and Deep Down, I think they’re an amazing fusion of the underground style + Coleman’s own stripped down, raw approach = seems to me, he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve, but what do I know? I’m just a fan of music and art with questionable tastes like the rest of us. Reason I mention this is just to chime in w/my own 2 cents on the merit of IV as a recording artist. I don’t have enough know-how to opine about who said what and gossip, etc., but I do remember back when certain “outlaw purists” I guess you’d call ’em, balked at H3 for using his grand daddy’s name, and well I think most of us here commenting know how to feel on that count, as far as Sheldon’s legacy is concerned, or at least we all know how things turned out: Hank III’s one helluva an outlaw country punk legend, far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen H3 over half a dozen times live, and each ‘n’ every time him and his bandmates put on one helluva show (where the country set had fiercer moshing and dancing than the punk set, oddly enough). Whelp, IV’s album hasn’t even dropped yet … there’s still a ton of tracks we haven’t even heard. The song Inbred is okay, but it doesn’t hit me as hard as Deep Down and Son of Sin, so I say let’s give the kid a chance, insofar as impacting the music scene goes. I for one appreciate his wavering voice and gritty determination at plucking out some DIY tunes on whatever’s handy that has some strings on it. And the folks he has in his band, well the proof’s in the pudding, to these ears. I’m very glad I preordered the yellow vinyl version of Strange Circus, not because it’s the “more valuable” pressing or whatnot, but on account of how I really dig that yellow color for it, is all. People are strange when you’re a stranger …