Formed in 2015 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Old Heavy Hands forge a compelling brand of
heartfelt southern rock informed as much by the Muscle Shoals tradition as the DIY punk rock
of their youth. They recorded their new album, Small Fires, at The Fidelitorium and Earthtones
studios, and with first single, “Runaround,” they exorcize demons, working through tragedy in a
way that is far beyond artistic expression. It is a necessary purging of pain, loss, mortality and,
ultimately, triumph.
“Runaround” is the product of suffering. Singer Nate Hall found himself grappling with a dire
stomach cancer diagnosis in August of 2018. While death was expected, Hall fought. And
fought. Through chemotherapy and hard-assed willpower, his eventual recovery ignited a
productive nine-month songwriting torrent by the entire band. Adding fuel to their fire, another
member, Dee Self, dealt with the grief of his mother’s untimely death while Larry Slaton’s
grandfather died from cancer during their writing process.
A flood of tragedy produced a flood of creative response. In the insanely catch “Runaround,”
Old Heavy Hands examines accountability and the process of realizing what you’ve done and
being big enough to atone for it. Throughout the rest of the record, the band either reflect on
bitter experiences, or provide an escape hatch to a more tranquil place.
Three of the band’s members are noted tattoo artists, gracing thousands of bodies with high-
caliber skin art. Their other pursuit, music, finds each of the five members pooling their
impressive professional experiences of the past to create something uniquely their own. At its
core, Old Heavy Hands is about the bonds of family and the loyalty of lifelong friendships. Born
from ashes of tragedies, theirs are songs by real people for real people -- inspired by true
events