The Road Hammers
Wheels
Stream to June 3
There's nothing quite like the sense of freedom that comes from getting behind the wheel and hitting the road — and it's that undeniable rush that Canadian country stars the Road Hammers have tapped into for their latest album, Wheels.
A high-octane mix of originals about everything from powerful V8 engines to mud-coated dirt bikes, as well as "Hammerized" covers including Steve Earle’s "Hillbilly Highway" and the Geoff Mack classic "I’ve Been Everywhere," the album is for anyone who loves to get the heck out of Dodge.
“I’ve been on the road for most of my life so it’s something I can really relate to,” said bassist Chris Byrne in a press release. “This is how we’ve made a living for years and there’s definitely a certain freedom to it, and Wheels is kind of an extended soundtrack for that.”
One of the highest-selling country bands in Canadian history, the Road Hammers shot to Canadian country fame in 2005 with their self-titled debut, which hit number one on the Canadian Country album chart, and landed a CCMA for group or duo of the year as well as a Juno for country recording of the year. The band was also the subject of a Country Music Television Canada series that followed them for a year as they wrote songs, recorded, pursued a U.S. record deal and hit the road.
The group followed up with 2009's The Road Hammers II, and toured relentlessly both on their own and with music legends Lynyrd Skynyrd and Roy Clark.
The members went their separate ways in 2010, pursuing solo projects and playing with high-profile acts including George Canyon and George Bamford, but got back together to make Wheels.
Says singer and guitarist Clayton Bellamy in the release: “Getting into this project after taking time away was about getting back to the heart of what the Road Hammers were made to do.”
Wheels tracklist
1. "Wheels"
2. "I've Been Everywhere"
3. "Mud" (feat. Jeffrey Steele)
4. Get on Down the Road
5. Rollin' of a Ramblin Man
6. Hillbilly Highway
7. Roll on Down the Highway
8. "You're My Highway"
9. "Wide Open"
10. "Annie"
11. "Fender Benders"