Home territory to Red Henry is Washington, D.C. Unless you live there, you probably haven't heard them as they are just launching their first tour this fall. If they stop near you, you have to go hear them. Believe it or not, this unknown band's new album has become one of my favorites.
Red Henry is three musicians who began playing together in the late eighties at Virginia Tech. Chris Reardon handles lead vocals, bass and most of the song lyrics. On guitar and backing vocals is Tony Lopacinski. The trio is completed with drummer and backing vocalist Eddie Anzueto. The band is heavily influenced by seventies hard rockers Aerosmith, AC/DC and Van Halen. They take hard rock and emphasize melody. The song lyrics are a strong feature not to be overlooked, and thanks to excellent mixing the vocals are audible. The lyrics cover many topics - social commentary, confusion, yearning, determination, joy.
Gravity is actually Red Henry's third album. Their first indie was release in 1989 and was a hit with fan and radio in D.C. 1992's indie release was Hard Road Down. Once again this was successful in their home territory. Gravity's recording was funded by the band. Guitarist Nils Lofgren was recruited for solos on a couple of tracks. Then Blackheart Records, home of Joan Jett, picked up Red Henry and released Gravity in August.
The first single off Gravity is the musically upbeat "Atlas" which is doing well in D.C. Two other strong tracks are "Slingshot" and "Tin Man". The other ten tracks are also good with perhaps the weakest being the hidden 14th track. Overall, the album is very interesting, a good rocker and well worth buying. Red Henry is in its sixth year of recording together and the experience shows. It's time to move this band out of D.C. to a larger audience.
