· JOHNNY HUNKINS - Talladega Pile-Up (GYR076) ·

::T R A C K S::

01. TALLADEGA PILE-UP
02. ROCK N' ROLL PARTY
03. CATCH ME
04. HENRY JACKSON
05. SHINE IN
06. DREAMING YOU
07. FLOYD COUNTY BOOTLEG
08. OVER THE EDGE
09. LET IT EAT!
10. MEMPHIS
11. GONE


FORMAT: Audio CD / Digipack
GYR076 - $12.99

Mega-awesome, retro-70s, blues-based, heavy guitar riff-rocker with a hi-energy, amped-up, southern-fried, muscular 6 string vibe. Riffmaster Johnny Hunkins digs in deep and lays down the six string law on this powerful slab of bad-ass, killer riffage that features Special Guest bad-ass axerippers - CHRIS DUARTE, WES JEANS & RYAN MCGARVEY. Heavy Guitars and Tricked Out Muscle Cars rule in the world of Hunkins as he takes you on an unforgettable, hi-octane, ass-kickin' musical ride. "Talladega Pile-Up" is all about the Rock and Highly Recommended to fans of vintage PAT TRAVERS, HATCHET & POINT BLANK.


"Talladega Pile-Up", the debut rocker from guitarist Johnny Hunkins, launches off the line hard - like a big-block Chevelle packing a hard nitrous oxide punch. Fans of late-'70s southern hard rock take note: if you dig Pat Travers, Johnny Winter, Skynyrd, Rick Derringer, or Frank Marino, Hunkins' "Talladega Pile-Up" will scratch that itch, and then some.

The high-octane house party comes out swinging with the title track, metaphorically and literally putting listeners behind the wheel of a 195-mph stock car. And it only gets wilder from there, tackling such topics as running moonshine whiskey ("Floyd County Bootleg"), robbing banks ("Over The Edge"), and fending off the apocalypse ("Shine In"). Hunkins wields his arsenal of overdriven axes while belting out whiskey-laden lyrics that hearken back to classic Molley Hatchet, Skynyrd, Johnny Winter and other similar 70s Guitar Rockers.

"Taladega Pile-Up" is no one-man show either. Hunkins calls upon some well-known gunslingers in the form of Chris Duarte ("Let It Eat!" and "Memphis"), Wes Jeans ("Henry Jackson"), and Ryan McGarvey ("Shine In") who lend their six string skills. The tracks get a rock-solid backbeat from drummer Ryan Hoyle of Collective Soul and Paul Rodgers fame. "Talladega" delivers big block rock solid.

Fans of muscle cars and hot rods may know Hunkins as the current editor of Popular Hot Rodding magazine, but make no mistake about it, "Pile-Up" is no sophomore effort; Johnny Hunkins has been honing his playing and writing skills for decades and it shows on this well-conceived power pack of hard-hitting songs that are all about the rock.


MP3 Sample Clips

01. TALLADEGA PILE-UP
02. ROCK N' ROLL PARTY
03. CATCH ME
04. HENRY JACKSON
05. SHINE IN
06. DREAMING YOU
07. FLOYD COUNTY BOOTLEG
08. OVER THE EDGE
09. LET IT EAT!
10. MEMPHIS
11. GONE

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· Footage of Johnny Hunkins filming the good people
@ Fender Guitars building his bad-ass Relic '61 Strat!!! ·

 

· reviews ·

Johnny Hunkins is indeed a true modern day renaissance man.. the editor-in-chief of a national Hot Rod magazine, devoted family man, writer, arranger, accomplished multi-instrumentalist, stylized vocalist and guitar slinger deluxe.

On "Talledega Pile-Up" Johnny displays a highly focused enthusiasm, passion, high performance turbo chops and molten tones that infuse the entire release. From the opening title track, Johnny shows off his considerable prowess, squeezin', bendin', shakin', smokin' and sweatin', at all times capturing the timeless spirit of his influences (think heavy shades of early Travers, Medlock, Nugent, Gibbons, and Marino) while overlaying his own supercharged custom mods on top. The result is a fine-tuned, rapid fire riff-heavy groove parade in the best, greatest tradition of the giants of a past era when guitar REALLY mattered.. and Johnny brings it all "back to the future" and into the NOW with reverence and conviction.

Every track smokes right off the line. With special guest appearances by heavyweights Chris Duarte ("Memphis" & "Let It Eat" - the latter being Hunkins' definitive instrumental, a rapid fire pocket groove that absolutely kills), Wes Jeans ("Henry Jackson") and Ryan McGarvey ("Shine In"), Johnny gives these "big block" names a run for the money, proving his pedigree on some truly smokin' tradeoffs that all at once are reckless yet controlled. That said, the real star of this show is Johnny - his "muscle car meets souped-up guitar" presentation and persona is the real deal. Sporting a classic 70s "pedal to the metal" six string theory with some modern, high-energy mods under the hood, this custom musical vehicle fires on all nitro-soaked cylinders.

A special honorable mention is warranted for the positively "way too cool" layout and design work by NyxianDrift - this digi-pack is one of the coolest packages you'll ever see. It oozes a classic hot rod hard rockin' retro vibe (YES - there IS such a thing) that really resonates with the 110 proof guitar rock contained within - a great "fit & finish" to a powerful musical statement whose supercharged, high octane riffs rev to the red line.. and beyond.

This is what guitar music is all about. Way to go, Johnny - you've blown the doors off with this one.

Jimmy Ryan (Truth Squad) (January 2011)
 


The Johnny Hunkins Band is a force to be reckoned with. Driving guitar blues-rock that doesn't let up, "Talladega Pile Up" is all killer with no filler. Boasting guests like Chris Duarte, Wes Jeans, and Ryan McGarvey, you'd think that Johnny Hunkins himself might want to stay in the background. Uh-uh. He's right out front, showing that he can make his guitar scream with the best of them. His talent is obvious, as his instrument surges through familiar yet original blues dimensions, uncovering sides of funk and riff-rock that are reminiscent of the greats: Mountain, Hendrix, and, especially, Johnny Winter. His harp and vocals, too, work well in Hunkins's musical pile up, and he uses them to great effect. Looks like a new guitar-slinger is here to stay.

Steven J. Rosen (Author) (January 2011)
 


First, I must note that the coolness of this cd starts before you even put the disc into the player! I am one of these musical traditionalists who is still bugged by the fact of lost album art when technology moved from vinyl to compact discs! But now, moving from cd collection to mp3 downloads is even more moronic by eliminating the entire visual art concept of the musical release! I feel sorry for the young generation of musical activists who live their lives this way and miss out on this added essential enjoyment of music collecting. Case in point: the carefully thought-out and detailed Johnny Hunkins cd art! Not only does it capture the ambience and aura of his retrofied, classic-rock, guitar-band style, it bleeds Johnny's love and passion for his Hot Rod, muscle-car lifestyle hobby! (Johnny is the editor-in-chief of Popular Hot Rodding magazine) The wow-factor of the cover art encompasses guitars and muscle-cars all over it, but my favorite section is the over-the-top, retro, throwback nod to the 1970s of the disc tray! Here you will search the display of a stacked, 8-track tape collection of many artists you (or your dad!) probably grew up with in their living stereo systems!! It's fun reminiscing thru them and a surprise to find out Johnny Hunkins was once available in 8-track form!!! (Nod Nod Wink Wink) :)

Now, let's get to the important stuff.. the music! By judging from it's cover art, the disc begins just as you might expect with a fast-paced, speedy burner (like the starting of a champion NASCAR race) with the title track, TALLADEGA PILE-UP! And just like attending a NASCAR event, with track two, the disc turns into a ROCK 'N' ROLL PARTY with the promise of loud fun and good times just right up ahead. And, boy, does it deliver! The next three tracks hit hard like speeding 190 miles per hour inclusive of mega "lead" (guitar) exchanges and big-crash, sonic-boom pile-ups!! The good thing is no one gets hurt as these tracks build upon each other and set a groove and pace reminiscent of vintage ZZ Top and Pat Travers that scream CATCH ME if you can! After a quick PIT STOP in the middle of the disc with a dreamy ballad to grab a hot dog and refill our beer, we are all GASSED-UP again to head into the home-stretch of the disc! With fresh rubber on the tires, the disc squeals out with FLOYD COUNTY BOOTLEG, a heavy, groove-orientated, guitar extavaganza that puts the checkered flag in sight on supreme guitar-playing antics and the rumble of finely-tuned, loud engine roars! As we cruise towards the head of the pack, the next three songs manuever and twist OVER THE EDGE, while instrumentally passing cars as the disc takes over the lead with lead-guitar! We boogie our way past MEMPHIS and cross over the finish line in first place leaving everybody else GONE, with it's wonderfully-crafted, big-hit classic-rock radio song potential! In this chamionship race of killer guitar rock music, Johnny Hunkins' Talladega Pile-Up takes the trophy and earns first place in the heavy-guitar rock standings! Give me my jug of milk 'cause I'm ready to do backflips off the hood of my car listening to this revved-up, turbo-charged, heavy lead-guitar fest of a disc!!! Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kurt Busch and the rest.. you guys got nothing over the coolness factor of Johnny Hunkins!!!

Daniel Jacks (Metallic Overdrive - WITR) (January 2011)
 


Man, this new bunch of Grooveyard releases must be one of the best collections of discs in years! Besides Vince Hawkins, Gugun Power Trio, the Stranger compilation and the never failing Blindside Blues Band, here's Johnny Hunkins! Just like Hawkins, Hunkins is a multi instrumentalist, handling bass, guitars, keyboard, harmonica and vocals himself with the additional aid of drummer Ryan Hoyle (Paul Rodgers/Collective Soul). It is actually quite hard to believe it is the debut of this American blues rock cat. He sounds like he's been doing this all his life. Besides being a damn fine guitarist and singer, Johnny is the editor of a hot rod magazine. I swear at times I can hear his guitar being routed through a rumbling V8! Hunkins ain't your average straight ahead blues rocker, I'd say his style has picked up influences from all over the place. There's stuff that reminds me a bit of Molly Hatchet, at times I hear some ZZ Top, while some songs draw near the territory of Michael Katon. Take a song like "Floyd County Bootleg" with its detuned heavy riffing, followed by yet another shit-kickin' down and dirty tractor pulling blues rock crusher in "Over The Edge" where he even adds some banjo and harmonica for good measure. Let's however go back to the beginning with the title track, a fast pace boogie rocker where the verse riff actually reminds me of my own song "Howl For Me", recorded by BALLS, not that Johnny has probably ever heard it, but I guess great minds think alike (*wink* *wink*). The album features guest spots from people like Wes Jeans, Chris Duarte and Ryan McGarvey. Well, truth be told, Johnny needs no help whatsoever! Just check out his phenomenal soloing in "Rock 'N Roll Party". The song may be a heads down, no nonsense rocker, but listen to that guitar wail! Holy crap! These cool licks just keep flying out! As I said earlier this is no musically streamlined production, which is proved already in third track "Catch Me", which is more of a classic hard rocker with a southern touch to it. "Henry Jackson" has some ZZ Top:ish Billy Gibbons flavour to the rhythm guitar work. The production of the album, by Johnny himself, is also worth mentioning. Sounds great! Well, I won't go into every song, I will just state the fact that there's not a weak song on this album and I hope this album will also break Hunkins in the world outside of cars. He sure as hell deserves it!

Janne Stark (FUZZ Mag) (January 2011)
 


When you first open Johnny Hunkins' debut digipak and lift the CD from the back tray, there is a photo of a stack of 8-tracks with all the artists that have influenced this multi-instrumentalist and helped guide him to his mojo. They include all the greats one would expect, Hendrix, Nugent, Skynyrd, but then there's Blackfoot, Mahogany Rush and Point Blank. It gives you a feel, right away, what this record is all about. The attention to detail in the packaging spills over into the quality and brilliance of the 11-tracks enclosed therein. Johnny does it all on Talladega Pile-Up, he plays the guitars, bass, keyboards as well as all vocal duties. Lending a hand is drummer Ryan Hoyle (Paul Rodgers / Collective Soul). Johnny's day job is the editor of a hot rod magazine and you can actually hear his passion for big, loud engines through his amp. First track (and title cut) "Talladega Pile-Up" revs up like a V8 Roadster. The guitar sound is beefy with Johnny's vocals a dead ringer for classic Molly Hatchet's Danny Joe Brown.. when he gruffs it up. The lyrics don't drift too far from what Hunkins knows.. cars, partying and rock 'n roll.

The record is a pure reflection of Hunkins as a player and performer. He strikes with confidence in "Rock 'n' Roll Party" where a layered guitar romp and a series of wicked solos win fans immediately. His voice cleans up into a nice baritone by "Catch Me" sounding more like Steve Miller playing over a metal riff. In fact, "Shine In" has a Steve Miller-meets-ZZ Top vibe and features another rising star, Ryan McGarvey, swapping solos. Boogie rock with a southern swagger might be the best way to describe most of the disc, it certainly captures the rough and ready "Floyd County Bootleg" and ball-bustin' "Over The Edge". Mid-record we get the subtle but powerful "Dreaming" with an acoustic, flamenco intro, sun-soaked Southern Cal groove and the most eloquent playing on the disc. Chris Duarte steps in to add some leads on the fret-fest "Let It Eat!" and the boogie-woogie of "Memphis". Texas blues giant Wes Jeans also stops by to add some lead to the foot-stoppin' "Henry Jackson", one of the best songs written about a car, ever! The album closes with a real gem in the Procol Harem/Skynyrd-inspired "Gone" showing a whole other side of Hunkins' playing. The greatest strength with Talladega Pile-Up is its diversity -- a surprise from start to finish and a long player that won't leave our CD deck for some time.

Todd K. Smith (Cutting Edge Rocks) (March 2011)
 


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