Interview with Texas Hippie Coalition vocalist “Big Dad” Rich

The best way I can think to describe, Rollin, the newest release from the Texas Hippie Coalition is gritty and unpretentious with a heavy southern rock flair. Everything about this band is over the top. These tunes are brash, aggressive and in your face. Really, they are an all out assault on the senses from the very beginning. I had a very fun and interesting conversation with vocalist “Big Daddy” Rich about the band’s newest release, Rollin and their upcoming plans. Here is how the conversation went.

How are you doing?
“Big Dad” Rich: I am doing great, brother, I am great.

Where you guys at right now?
“Big Dad” Rich: Right now we are in Norman, Oklahoma getting ready to shoot a video.

What song are you shooting the video for?
“Big Dad” Rich: “Pissed Off and Mad About It.”

Is that going to be the first single then?
“Big Dad” Rich: Yes for sure.

Alright man I know you are busy so I just have a few questions for you. Now that you brand new CD, Rollin is set for release on July 6th. How do you feel about it and are you satisfied with the outcome?
“Big Dad” Rich: Yeah I am. I feel great about it but I wish I could have had a little bit more time with the vocals. No, really I feel great about it and I am very satisfied with it. I am very pleased and if I were in the label’s shoes to anybody all the way down, I would be happy any bands at a worldwide release to be this one right here. I would be very pleased.

What was the writing process like for this disc? Did you guys all write together?
“Big Dad” Rich: We do write as a group. We all get together and we write together. We have writing sessions and there is usually more than one song that comes out of each writing session.

How quick are you guys in the studio? Can you usually knock things out in a couple of takes or does it take you significantly longer?
“Big Dad” Rich: We can knock stuff out in one or two takes but there is always something. The studio is like a whole other world; you don’t really spin it… it spins you.

When you are recording do you tweak tones obsessively or do you settle on sounds fairly quickly?
“Big Dad” Rich: I have my stuff dialed in. Our sound is pretty straight forward, straight across in your face and I think it is pretty easy to get where we are going pretty quick.

How long did the record take to make?
“Big Dad” Rich: I think I actually spent about fifteen hours on vocals. We probably spent about fourteen to twenty one days on guitars, maybe twenty-one to twenty-eight days on drums and the rest was all producing.

I have already listened to the disc, but can you tell me in your own words what fans can expect when they pick up a copy of Rollin?
“Big Dad” Rich: Good question, I think that everybody should be ready for a diverse rock and roll metal album. It is definitely southern fried, red neck metal. I think it is something new and fresh for the world and I think they are going to dig it. I have always said all I need are some ears and I can get down the road. So I think if we can get some ears we get down the road pretty good.

Are there any tracks on the disc that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
“Big Dad” Rich: You know, “Grumpy Girl” is a song that I wrote because I have had some wonderful women on the road. I get to know them for about three days and then I never see them again for the rest of my life. I miss them all and I wanted them all to know that I was thinking about them. Quite often the three women in my life that are the closest to me will ask me if this song is about them and I always lie and say yes.

What kind of touring plans do you guys have lines up in support of the record?
“Big Dad” Rich: We actually just got back from Florida which was more of a vacation than a job. We are headed over to Europe from July 8th through the 12th.

When preparing for this interview I went back and listened to some of your previous work and this one seems to be a little bit heavier. Was this a conscious effort or something that just came about naturally?
“Big Dad” Rich: Man, I am gonna say it was a conscious effort. A lot of times a band puts out a sophomore record they tend to get a little softer; maybe the radio or the label talks them into taking the edge off of it. I really wanted to do the complete opposite. The first album is just the punch for this one I wanted it to be the “foot on the neck.”

Any closing words at all?
“Big Dad” Rich: To everyone out there showing interest like yourself and the radio stations, it is very much appreciated on our part and we really appreciate the help. We just want to get out there and make a loud noise.

On a side note, I have been listening to the stream for the past few days and it really has a way of getting under your skin real quick.
“Big Dad” Rich: Well thank you Bruce that is awful kind of you to say.

It has balls, but it definitely gets under your skin.
“Big Dad” Rich: Thank you brother, I appreciate that.

You guys have any plans to tour the United States or is it strictly Europe at this time?
“Big Dad” Rich: No, as soon as we get back we are doing the Ride For Dime in Dallas and we are also doing Rock In America and The Midwest Rock Fest. Then in October we will be doing a small tour but we will have info on that later on.