The Hellecasters
The Hellecasters (1998-2002) was an American guitar group composed of prominent session musicians and a core trio of guitarists, Will Ray, John Jorgenson and Jerry Donahue.
History
[edit]In 1990, Donohue ran into Ray at the Palomino and proposed that they play a set together at an open-mike session at the same club. Ray suggested that they ask Jorgenson to join them so as to have three-part harmonies. The band's name was coined by Jorgenson.
Michael Nesmith attended the April 1991 show and signed them to his record label. Their first two albums, The Return of the Hellecasters and Escape from Hollywood, were released by Nesmith's Pacific Arts Audio label.[1][2][3]
In 1998 they appeared on the German music show Ohne Filter.[4] They also performed a concert there and, in 2000, released the album Live... Raw... In Germany.[5]
In 2002, the band released its final album, Essential Listening Volume 1, a 13-track compilation which included two new songs.[6]
In 2012, the three guitarists performed at Dekes Guitar Geek Festival in Anaheim.[7][8]
Personnel
[edit]- Guitar & Vocals: Jerry Donahue, John Jorgenson, Will Ray
- Bass: Dennis Belfield, Bob Birch, John Davis, Pat Donaldson, Davey Faragher
- Drums: Steve Duncan, Donald Lindley, Charlie Morgan, Tom Walsh
- Percussion: Luis Conte, Steve Duncan
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Return of the Hellecasters[9] | Pharaoh |
| 1994 | Escape from Hollywood[10] | Pharaoh |
| 1997 | Hell 3: New Axes to Grind[11] | Pharaoh |
| 2000 | Live... Raw... In Germany | Pharaoh |
| 2002 | Essential Listening 1 | Hightone |
Multi-artist collection
[edit]| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Guitars That Rule the World Vol 2 - Smell the Fuzz - The Superstar Guitar Album [12] | Metal Blade Records |
References
[edit]- ^ "Let It Rock: Interview with Jerry Donahue". Let It Rock. January 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "Early Blues Interview John Jorgenson, guitar/vocals, John Jorgenson Quintet". Early Blues. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "The Beginning". Hellecasters.com. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "Hellecasters "Live... Raw... In Germany"". Guitar 9. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "The Hellecasters – Live... Raw... In Germany". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "Essential Listening Volume 1". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "Dekes Guitar Festival 2012". hellecasters.com. Hellecasters Official Website. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ Dickerson, Deke. "Deke's Guitar Geek Festival 2012". dekedickerson.com. Deke Dickerson. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "The Return Of The Hellecasters". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "Escape From Hollywood". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "Hell III New Axes To Grind". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ "Various – Guitars That Rule The World Vol. 2: Smell The Fuzz/The Superstar Guitar Album". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
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