ZZ High’s Billy Gibbons mentioned the Texas trio feels “considerably new as a band” with the addition of longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis, who took over for bassist Dusty Hill following his dying final July.
“It is fairly a visit having Elwood step in to assist preserve the ball rolling,” Gibbons informed Traditional Rock in a brand new interview. “He is including an important little bit of enthusiasm. After I see [drummer] Frank Beard smiling for the primary time in 30 years, I do know one thing good’s occurring.”
Hill died final 12 months on the age of 72 whereas ZZ High was within the midst of a U.S. tour. He insisted shortly earlier than his dying that Gibbons and Beard proceed with Francis in his stead. The band canceled just one present earlier than soldiering on with its new member.
Regardless of their unhappiness over the lack of their lifelong good friend and bandmate, Gibbons and Beard each agreed with Hill’s directive. “Properly, it was an surprising actuality that landed not solely in my lap, however allowed me to hunker down and get severe with Mr. Beard,” Gibbons mentioned. “And the 2 of us each agreed that as an honor to the legacy of the band, we felt it will be extra appropriate to attempt to decide up sticks and stick with it, quite than simply throw within the towel.”
Gibbons praised Francis’ vitality and musicianship, noting that his completely different musical background brings a brand new factor to the band. “It is fascinating. Elwood’s background is steeped within the punk-rock world,” he defined. “We have been curious if such a background was going to enter the ZZ High world. However I need to say that Elwood’s presence brings a sturdy vitality that’s truly a lift to ZZ High. You may even contemplate us being considerably new as a band. Which we’re! It is actually entertaining, I will say that.”
As for whether or not Francis can replicate Hill’s full-throated wail, as heard on songs like “Tush” and “I Acquired the Six,” Gibbons noticed, “He is fairly good at harmonizing, however he is nonetheless a bit shy about taking a lead vocal at this stage of the sport. However who is aware of? I can reduce him unfastened and let him do his factor.”
Maybe essentially the most heartening growth relating to Francis’ new full-time standing in ZZ High is his new chest-length beard, which matches Gibbons’. “When Elwood jumped aboard initially, he was a skateboarder consuming an avocado sandwich,” the guitarist mentioned. “Nobody even know that he had whiskers till he confirmed as much as a rehearsal, and I mentioned: ‘Who’s the brand new man?’ And the chief technician mentioned: ‘That is your guitar technician, Elwood.’ I mentioned: ‘No, the man with the massive beard.’ And he mentioned: ‘Yeah, that is Elwood.'”
ZZ High simply launched a brand new dwell album titled RAW: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas Authentic Soundtrack, which options the trio’s final recordings with Hill. In characteristically laid-back however nonetheless reverent trend, Gibbons detailed his emotions upon dropping his comrade.
“It took a second for the truth to sink in,” he mentioned. “However, you realize, he is no completely different from the remainder of us; sadly we’re all going to go a while. We choose to place it off, if you realize what I imply. The day after Dusty handed, I spoke with good friend, one other guitar participant, Steve Cropper,” he continued. “And years earlier than, when Duck Dunn [bass player with Cropper in Booker T. & the MG’s] handed away, I took observe of Cropper’s remarks. He mentioned: ‘I really feel like I’ve misplaced an important good friend. And that went properly past one other musician. He was properly past that.’ And we felt that approach about Dusty. We misplaced an important good friend.”
ZZ High is presently on tour within the U.S. and is scheduled to remain on the highway by way of December.
ZZ High Albums Ranked
From the primary album to ‘La Futura,’ we take a look at the Little ‘ol Band From Texas’ studio information.
