When The Hangmen exhumed the grit of the Devils’ own Blues, the uncontrollable abandon of true Rock n’ Roll and the confrontational dissatisfaction of Punk Rock invoking a musical Frankenstein Monster that is raunchy, filthy, outspoken, hostile and above all genuine there was no strategy or expectation to ricochet around a global underworld of sweaty rock dives in the defiant chaos that has enveloped the band for over two decades. In the North East of England in the 1990s when live music was gasping for survival across the UK in the wake of rave culture and DJ dominance, The Hangmen raised themselves tough writing their own material and playing in backstreet bars, or in support to established names suddenly struggling to fill larger venues. The ensuing long-travelled global collision course to oblivion via hundreds of sweaty rock dives, concert halls and the odd small stadium has not only earned these Rock & Roll veterans a resilient worldwide fanbase it has also spawned a collectible eight album legacy of original material, a gutful of singles and EPs and left audio debris strewn across a hell of a lot of compilations.

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The Hangmen don't fall into any genre pigeonhole easily, but for over two decades they have successfully straddled the international Psychobilly and Punk live circuits to deliver dark rowdy self-composed rabid rock & roll. Across Europe, The USA, Canada, as far East as Russia and then back round again and again The Hangmen earned their status. Often cited as the most criminally under-rated Psychobilly band ever they continue to forge their own chaotic path outside of any mainstream or peerage - defying and surviving the odds as underdogs and ultimately delivering raunchy, moody and invigorating music like no other.

Brandishing a stripped carcass of a sound so raw it attracts bacteria they relentlessly revitalise themselves with new material that is distinctively theirs, with a knack for never repeating themselves - or anyone else. Lyrically uncompromising, the unsavoury and sometimes horrific diatribes carry substance and avoid faltering into mere cliche. The world once branded it 'The Devils Music', but few bands invoke that unsanitised unholy predecessor of neutered mainstream 'Rock & Roll' such as this.

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When the Psychobilly movement was extensively documented in the book 'Hells Bent On Rockin'' The Hangmen were duly given several pages of relevance. From being welcome guests in Punk Rock arenas (not least a live engagement at NYC Punk Mecca CBGBs) whilst also being endorsed by less purist factions among Rockabilly and Goth fraternities an eclectic and enduring following for this distinctively dark, cynical entity has emerged beyond any ring-fencing. There have been covermount releases on both Rockabilly and Heavy Metal magazines. They've raised the roof at Biker Rallies, Horror Theatres and even a Hippy Festival. The all encompassing subculture magazine StreetSounds is running a feature on the band that spans two issues...

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The Hangmen are a law unto themselves, a well kept secret with an ability to capture and keep a select audience without riding trends. Sticking to their guns through thick and thin, evolving with contagious tunes and songs of darkly deranged genius whilst never following any pack or rules other than their own The Hangmen still stand as that rare and potent musical delicacy - an original renegade rock and roll band with guts.

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A ninth album is now underway, the teaser EP Necronomicon launched in 2017 on Moon Skull Records showing no hint of any compromise as The Hangmen continue to drive the Devils music on and out across Rocks underworld.

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The Hangmen are:

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Loz Firewalker - Guitar & Vocal.

Dyin' Ryan - Drums

Anth Raxx - Double Bass & B. Vocal

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Origins:

By chance, bootlegged demo recordings were heard on a pirate radio station by a Dutch record label who promptly sent cash and a recording contract, resulting in the bands debut album. That led to European engagements outside the UK as well as their home country where nationwide audiences had also begun to show a regular interest. The momentum eventually landed them in the USA (where the Psychobilly scenes unexpected rebirth was to emerge some time after The Hangmens first tour there in 1999), setting the precedence for the global activities that followed.

Over the years many more albums would follow released sporadically on various independent labels, with live performances becaming plentiful, widespread and lively to say the least. Wether supporting longer standing Punk and Psychobilly acts, taking their place at festivals or headlining tours in their own right the band became notorious for delivering hi-octane live sets consistently on an international roster, for purveying a dark strain of deranged badass rock and roll, and for releasing albums of unpredictably progressive yet distinctive output. 

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