New York City hasn't had much of a country rock/blues following, but that might all change with the release of the debut self-titled album by Big Apple natives Hot Water Music.
The members of Hot Water Music only use their first names. So it's James on lead vocals, Lou on drums, and Harlan on guitar. The simplicity of the names almost tells the tale of the music: back to basics rock and roll, simple yet rough, catchy but gritty.
And if the sound of Hot Water Music makes you think of the Fogerty brothers or start humming "Fortunate Son", don't jump to the conclusion that they're a Credence influenced band. James makes quite sure to emphasize that fact: "We don't make an effort to sound like them (CCR); we just draw from some of the same styles as they did".
Those styles include legends such as Buddy Rich (whose bootlegs are part of the Hot Water Music tape collection) and Johnny Winters. It might be not be in fashion to go back and claim the roots of rock and roll as influences, but the band work as one to bring out the blues and soul inside a guitar.
"I write the lyrics and structure of the songs," says James, "but the sound of the band comes from when we all play it together and add our own rock and blues flavors to each song."
The band's country side pops out periodically onstage, when they might cover the WIllie Nelson song "How Do You Feel About Foolin' Around". But, as James adds, "We do it like the Doors would".
Possibly the strongest track on Hot Water Music is the first single "Same Day Twice", which brings to mind some of the 70's rock/blues bands such as ZZ Top (and I'm *not* talking about those synthesized days of the late 80's). "Tumblin' Down" also stands out, and the ballad "All My Life" brings the piano back to the arena of rollicking rock and roll.
Getting signed to Elektra and releasing their first album also offered new opportunities. James adds that, "The best part of success is that we have the opportunity to work with people like Sonny Landroth and Richard Dodd (producer, who has also worked with Tom Petty)."
It might be hard to break into radio playlists that dictate "guitar sounds must be distorted", but with their tough rock and roll debut, Hot Water Music might surprise a few programmers.
