Hogan’s Goat is named after a tale from Scottish folklore. The band initially formed in late 2014. As the story goes, a farmer (Hogan) owned a goat rumored to have an odor said to travel miles away. The goat’s been described as having patchy fur, an eye out of socket, and flies abound. For the band, this perfectly symbolized their unorthodox style, that which is anything but unnoticeable. They couldn’t have picked a better fable for their namesake. More like a powerful mountain ram the band roams through various styles of music never staying in one place too long. Their first show (at SXSW, on the rooftop of The Blind Pig) was part of an all Nashville (non-country) showcase. Soon after, Hogan’s Goat returned to Nashville, they competed in BMI’s “Road To Bonnaroo” (winning the fan vote) and played many other shows around the Nashville area. While most people think Nashville is only a country town, there is a vibrant rock and metal scene there as well. Hogan’s Goat has hoofed their way out of sea of country music to spread their music to the masses. While the band is based in Nashville it’s members migrated from all around the country like Billings, Montana, Denton, Texas , Southern Pines, North Carolina as well as Nashville. Like their music their roots run further than the eye can see. In March of 2016, Hogan’s Goat began recording their first LP, ‘Hogan’s Goat’ which is set to release July 18th, 2017. The album was self-produced, mixed by Alex Gilson and Nathan Zensen at Gold Cassette and mastered by Tommy Dorsey. The band looks to tour regionally, nationally, and globally.
Things get off to an electrifying pace with “Rat Boy” on this 10 track album. The high pitched riffs ring out and then we get John Salmon’s deep vocal tone. There is an element of doom to their music mixed along with some psychedelic vibes. The strings and voice isn’t the only thing shining bright here either. You get tons of double bass kicks, and the timing of them couldn’t be any more perfect. Though the majority of the vocals are this amazing baritone howl there is also moments where they change drastically and you get a higher pitched approach. It’s incredibly difficult to put a genre tag on this band. They mix elements like psychedelic rock, doom, stoner rock, classic rock and some modern rock but they never go all in. They deal you a different hand each time and it keeps you on your toes, and pleasantly surprised. “If I’m Dead” gives you this really raw throwback classic rock type sound. It almost sounds as if you are listening to it on the radio cruising down the highway. John Salmon’s gravely vocal approach along with some stand out guitar work really mesh well together. The chorus kicks in and it’s beyond catchy. The raw sound is something the music world is missing while a lot of other albums are over produced, and polished to shine. Hogan’s Goat simple play their music and let it do all the talking. Drummer Wayne Michel has said “You might like it, you might hate it. I don’t know what you fuckin’ like” in regards to the band’s music. While that is a very true statement it’s hard to imagine anyone hating what they have created. “Elkhorn Mountain” slows things down as the album gets closer to its conclusion. This track really brings out the grunge side of the band. How many genres have they touched down in now? Each and every track could stand alone on its own, but perfectly meld together as one cohesive unit. This track showcases an amazing guitar solo and ample amounts of groove. The band ends things with “Drinkin’ With The Priest.” They prove yet again that their music can morph into any genre or style and feel perfectly at home. The song boasts an almost progressive sound and soothes your through the end of the album. You can call it whatever you want, stoner rock, retro rock, psychedelic, but one thing is for sure…it’s different. And in my book different is good. Hogan’s Goat truly stand out in a sea of bands beginning for exposure. This debut album will tickle every taste bud, and fancy any ear. Goat is sometimes the acronym for Greatest Of All Time, and it’s very fitting for the direction this band is going.
