Erik Vincent Huey
Fort Defiance
Appalachian AF
Americana singer-songwriter Erik Vincent Huey releases his sophomore long player, Fort Defiance, produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, the renowned rock ‘n’ roll guitarist (Joan Jett, Del-Lords, Steve Earle & The Dukes) and producer (Bottle Rockets, Jimbo Mathus, Yayhoos, Sarah Borges).
Huey shares, “After the introspective, geographic deep dive of ‘Appalachian Gothic,’ I wanted to make a record that was simply a collection of songs, without a unifying narrative theme. This record is about achieving escape velocity out of Appalachia and into the larger world. Kinda like my own journey.”
Featured guests on the album include Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Guns &Roses), Sarah Borges, along with Starbelly’s Bryan Ewald (guitar, organ), Cliff Hillis (guitar), Dennis Schocketon (bass), and Greg Schroeder (drums). Other musicians include bassist Keith Christopher (Lynyrd Skynyrd), guitarist Tim Smith (The Surreal McCoys), and drummer Phil Cimino
Erik, under the alias of Cletus McCoy, is also the frontman of The Surreal McCoys, described as a cowpunk “hipster doofus band” by Mojo Nixon. The band has over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, as well as more than 3.5 million streams.
Of the 11 tracks on the album, highlights include “Grievous Angels,” with its creamy, swaying melody and hints of Latin flavors. Huey’s smooth, appealing voice imbues the lyrics with dulcet tones as a soft, harmonizing voice adds luscious sighing textures.
The roots rock energy of the title track makes it a personal favorite. For some reason, the tune conjures up suggestions of Tom Petty because of its vocal inflections and gleaming guitars that give the melody a raw yet polished sheen.
“I’m going out for one last ride / Midnight’s breath against my skin / Past the hatchet houses of the soul / Through the palaces of sin.”
Another favorite because of its chilling, authentic narrative of the divide of good and evil that runs down the middle of every human heart, “Cutlas Supreme” rides a mid-tempo rhythm topped by drawling surfaces. Slightly raspy, Huey’s voice tells the tale in a casual manner, which casts a forbidding shadow over the lyrics.
“They say it takes a cold man / To kill someone in cold blood / It just takes desperation / To take a job that no one wants.”
Huey’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Jokerman” reflects a blend of punk and country, resulting in a dynamic version of the song – country boho punk at its finest. Whereas the title of “40 Tons of Speed” discloses the driving, countrified momentum of the track – visceral and loose in the joints and brimming with upbeat oomph.
“The Hatfield Action” channels ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll. Think Chuck Berry playing with Jerry Lee Lewis. This song conveys beaucoup personality and vibrant vitality. “King of Tears” continues the ‘50s motif, only with tints of Buddy Holly and whiffs of a stylish pop vibe.
Shifting styles with aplomb, on Fort Defiance, Erik Vincent Huey leads his bandmates down a satisfying musical road sure to delight listeners.
