Piper and the Hard Times is Making a Scene

September 12, 2024

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Making a Scene Presents an interview with Piper and the Hard Times

Nashville-based blues & roots music group, Piper & the Hard Times, deliver intense and rhythmically dynamic blues-based music that translates into an unforgettable, captivating live show. The blues is the main foundation that defines their work, along with R&B, soul and rock. In January 2024 they took first place in the band division at the prestigious International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN. The core of the band, Al “Piper” Green, Steve Eagon and Dave Colella have been playing and writing together for over 20 years. Piper & The Hard Times has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal and can immediately connect with audiences that want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with a strong grooves and catchy hooks.

Piper & The Hard Times has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal and can immediately connect with audiences that want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with a strong grooves and catchy hooks.

Over three days in February 2024, Piper & the Hard Times held court in the legendary Ronnie’s Place at Soundstage Studios in Nashville to record their debut album, “Revelation”. Revelation is a collection of 12 original songs firmly anchored in the blues. There’s the intense Texas shuffle, “The Hard Times,” elements of New Orleans in “Trouble Man,” the funk-rock groove of “Heart for Sale,” and the slow pain and emotion of “Twenty Long Years.” Piper, Steve and Dave wanted the recording to capture their live sound, spontaneity, and energy. Piper states, “I’ve never been prouder of anything we’ve ever done. We captured us in every way imaginable.” Revelation was released internationally on August 16, 2024 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart on August 27th.

As the band’s frontman, Al “Piper” Green’s lead vocals and charisma combine the flamboyance and earthiness of blues with the power and authority of gospel which represent the two biggest influences in his life. He takes the band and audience on a wild journey every show and does his best to turn the room upside down come showtime. Growing up in a very musically inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee, he sang in a gospel choir while also hearing the best of soul, pop and rock on the radio. Green contributes to the band’s original songs with lyrics based on personal stories and experience which he signs with authority.

Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing guitar since his teen years. Unlike Green, Eagon did not grow up in a musical family but was drawn to the guitar because of its “coolness factor.” A multitude of artists have served as influences from Muddy Waters’ blend of electrified Delta blues to B.B. King’s more urban stylings and the dynamic, power approaches of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan,. As the band’s principal composer, his writing style meshes multiple elements into an engaging and captivating personal group sound. That collective firepower is also indicative of the closeness shared by Eagon, Piper, and drummer Dave Colella.

Dave Colella shares arranging duties on the original songs and brings a percussive edge and energy to the group’s performances. A drummer since age seven, Colella’s prior associations include studies with the great jazz drummer Joe Morello, best known for his years with Dave Brubeck. Colella says that it taught him “how” to play as opposed to “what.” His playing also reflects a widespread knowledge and love of multiple idioms as well as a thorough knowledge of vintage and contemporary blues. With Colella driving the band’s engine, a foundation is created for each band member to add their own flair.

Piper & the Hard Times have been delighting audiences across the South for many years. When you hear them you’re getting a lot more than just inspired covers or retooled bar band material. Instead, you’re hearing poignant, inspired “from the soul” music from these talented guys who love playing, and they bring that energy and vitality to the bandstand each and every night.

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