Chris Head and the Honchos combines a gritty roots sensibility with the melodic instincts of classic rock and pop. Ballads and rockers, alt.country and powerpop intersect for a thoughtful and engaging hybrid as modern as it is traditional.
When the band began work on their follow-up to 2011’s Hard Truths, they sought to maintain the debut’s diversity, but goosed with a more focused attack. Once again working with Shane Hochstetler at Howl Street Recording, the baker’s dozen songs on Chicken Wire promise to do just that. Roots influences remain prominent, with flashes of country traditionalism and solid rock ‘n’ roll grooves blending with buoyant melodies and probing lyrics. In other words, expect more of the “country-rock earworms” (Madison’s Isthmus) that led Hard Truths to receive positive reviews, but imbued with an extra punch honed over months of live performances.
The Honchos formed in 2009, when Rizal Iskandarsjach and Tim Ungrodt began putting flesh on the bones of Chris Head’s original compositions. While each brings something unique to the band, it’s how the three blend that distinguishes the Honchos from other groups. Riz anchors the band with rhythm work by turns subtle and pounding, based on the needs of the song. Tim brings his love of power pop to melodically and harmonically inventive bass lines that propel the songs forward. Chris, a transplant from rural, middle Tennessee, slathers layers of acoustic and electric guitar over songs that tackle a variety of topics, styles, and moods.
The flexibility of the trio format allows the band to adapt their music to the needs of the moment and can downshift into intimate, acoustic settings or accelerate into the high-voltage sunset. Writing about their live shows, the Shepherd-Express noted, “[Chris Head and the Honchos] meld sunny Americana with solid power pop sensibilities, . . . built on hooky songcraft and delivered with professional polish.” Having burnished Chicken Wire’s songs in the studio, the Honchos are excited to bring them to rough and tumble life on the stage.
For live bookings/inquiries, please contact the band at chrisheadandthehonchos@gmail.com.
When the band began work on their follow-up to 2011’s Hard Truths, they sought to maintain the debut’s diversity, but goosed with a more focused attack. Once again working with Shane Hochstetler at Howl Street Recording, the baker’s dozen songs on Chicken Wire promise to do just that. Roots influences remain prominent, with flashes of country traditionalism and solid rock ‘n’ roll grooves blending with buoyant melodies and probing lyrics. In other words, expect more of the “country-rock earworms” (Madison’s Isthmus) that led Hard Truths to receive positive reviews, but imbued with an extra punch honed over months of live performances.
The Honchos formed in 2009, when Rizal Iskandarsjach and Tim Ungrodt began putting flesh on the bones of Chris Head’s original compositions. While each brings something unique to the band, it’s how the three blend that distinguishes the Honchos from other groups. Riz anchors the band with rhythm work by turns subtle and pounding, based on the needs of the song. Tim brings his love of power pop to melodically and harmonically inventive bass lines that propel the songs forward. Chris, a transplant from rural, middle Tennessee, slathers layers of acoustic and electric guitar over songs that tackle a variety of topics, styles, and moods.
The flexibility of the trio format allows the band to adapt their music to the needs of the moment and can downshift into intimate, acoustic settings or accelerate into the high-voltage sunset. Writing about their live shows, the Shepherd-Express noted, “[Chris Head and the Honchos] meld sunny Americana with solid power pop sensibilities, . . . built on hooky songcraft and delivered with professional polish.” Having burnished Chicken Wire’s songs in the studio, the Honchos are excited to bring them to rough and tumble life on the stage.
For live bookings/inquiries, please contact the band at chrisheadandthehonchos@gmail.com.
