Hickory Road
interview with guitarist Herb Charlan
by Mike Huberty
November 2016
House band at Yahara Bay Distillery - Hickory Road
With traditional rock n’ roll licks, bluesy vocals, and even a little bit of twang for good measure, Madison’s HICKORY ROAD is grown-up Hipster-Beard-free heartfelt Americana music. You can hear the years spent listening to the classic rock of LYNYRD SKYNYRD to NEIL YOUNG in their music and they’ve got a laid back 70s vibe. Forming in 2014, the band the band is Mike Pindilli on vocals and guitar, drummer Lars Forde, Herb Charlan on guitar, Derrick Henrickson on bass, and Merle Bailey keys and the saxophone. We took a little time to talk to the band about their upcoming performance at Yahara Bay Distillery on November 18th.
MI: What was the big inspiration for you guys to get into music in the first place?
HERB CHARLAN: Like Hank Williams Jr said…“It’s a family tradition.” Something we individually have always done in some capacity.
MI: Who were your favorite artists growing up?
HC: Stevie Wonder, Hendrix, Jessie Johnson, The Doors, Tim Alexander, really…too many to list… life.
MI: Who are the bands that you guys come together on and all really enjoy?
HC: There is no “1” band we gel on as much as it is a sound, or a feeling that is created when a group of people come together and make music.
MI: What do you love most about playing your style of music?
HC: Synergy. Momentum. No limits.
MI: So what’s the track people should check out first when listening to HICKORY ROAD for the first time?
HC: Our namesake “Hickory Road” would be a good place to start.
MI: What’s the inspiration behind the track? Why is that a good place to start?
HC: It sounds like home… the Midwest.
MI: How’d you get your band name?
HC: A street sign on the way to Appleton that said Hickory Street was a light bulb moment that sparked the idea to go with Hickory Road.
MI:What’s been your favorite show so far?
HC: Our last show…saying goodbye to the old Yahara Bay Distillery that has been our home for the last 2 years was memorable on multiple levels… plus it was the debut of our newest member of the band, Merle Bailey on keys and sax… it was a really fun party!
MI: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
HC: We have been working hard the last few months on new material and are looking forward to getting into the studio and recording out debut album. It’d be great if everyone liked us on Facebook and became fans of ours on Reverbnation to gain access to exclusive tracks and stay up to date on all the latest.
MI: What’s the live show going to be like?
HC: A little bit of ear candy. Some buttshaking… and a slice of Americana pie. And we are looking forward to partying with you, Mike, as well as Rökker to celebrate both of your birthday’s at the new Yahara Bay Distillery on Friday, November 18th! Cheers!