The Black Hollies
Debuted: February 1st, 2010
“Run With Me Run”
Run With Me Run, is most definitely the first song we started working on. I had come up with the guitar riff and introduced the idea to Jon then I proceeded to get behind the drum kit in search of the right groove. We were almost off the ground running until I noticed the Farfisa organ located on the other side of the room. I asked Jon if he would consider trying the guitar riff out on the Farfisa. When he locked down the riff, we both knew then and there that this was a fantastic move. The original demos for this composition featured a phaser effect on drum rolls so it would sound similar to the drum breaks on, "Itchycoo Park" by the Small Faces. We moved forward and by the time we returned back to this song, I was really diggin' a song by the Isely Brothers called, "Got To Have You Back". I love upbeat/stomping Northern Soul type grooves so, I decided to try "Run With Me Run" with a groove similar to this particular tune. When we listed back to the newly recorded version, it all made sense. Lyric wise it's genuine, truly soulful, honest and sincere. "Don't spend the rest of your time searching for something you've found, let go of the past and you'll find some things are best left behind". I'm quite overly sentimental and have issues letting go but ever since writing these lyrics, I've been doing my best to move forward without minor hesitations.
The Black Hollies
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When You're Not ThereThe Black Hollies -
Gloomy Monday MorningThe Black Hollies -
Run With Me RunThe Black Hollies
Sounds like I'm describing those first two Nuggets box set compilations, doesn't it? I'm not, but I suppose I could be and that's a good thing. I love those lost mid-Sixties gems unearthed from the rubble. The Black Hollies probably do too, but unlike me, they've done something with it. Their love for this sound spawned inspiration and action and creation and they've been criss-crossing the US for the past several years with it. These boys obviously believe in what they do. Count me in as a fellow Believer.
I was somewhat surprised to discover the pre-history of the band. Before diving headfirst into their current endeavors, 3/4 of The Black Hollies were the 3/5 of Rye Coalition. Now I'm still yet still to actually hear Rye Coalition, but I know the name from seeing it in print all over the place a few years ago. Turns out these guys learned a lot about the highs and lows of the music biz. Here's the short version... Proved themselves in indie circles with four critically praised releases > jumped up to the majors with a deal with DreamWorks > championed and produced by Dave Grohl > toured with Foo Fighters, Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age > shuffled to Interscope by the powers that be > sat in that all-too-familiar major-label release purgatory for a couple years > hired lawyers > won rights to masters > back to the indies.
As I said, I've never heard Rye Coalition and I do not plan to. Supposedly they were one of those so-called "hard rock" bands that the kids were loving mid-decade, which I can take or leave (usually leave, actually). I can only assume they were miles away from The Black Hollies. After their experiences through the mid-Aughts, can you blame them for such a dynamic shift in style? I, for one, cannot and am happy they did. Of course, I am a sucker for that hot, hot sound of The Black Hollies.
So tune it, drop out, get down or whatever it is those damned drugged out hippies used to say, and love these Lake Fever Sessions from The Black Hollies. You know I do!
-Joe Baine Colvert