Live-Metal.Net - Interviews: Wino

March 25, 2007

Despite a long career of heavy metal with The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls and, now, The Hidden Hand, Scott Weinrich, better known as “Wino,” remains unknown to the general public. But in the metal world, he is a god. Preferring to remain underground, he is not often mentioned in the same breath as other metal legends. But that doesn't mean he hasn't been an important part of the genre for the last 25-plus years. Current Down/former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo has sung his praises, as has Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, who even included Wino on his critically-acclaimed Probot project.

The Hidden Hand's latest release, out on Southern Lord Records, is The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote (READ LIVE-METAL.NET REVIEW HERE) The
record is something of a concept album focusing on a character in colonial America. With vocalist/bassist/producer Bruce Falkinburg and drummer Matt Moulis, Wino creates a sonic brew of doom-laden stoner metal with a healthy dose of Southern-fried rock n' roll. Wino puts a stamp on the album with his guitar licks like only he can and even handles some of the vocals. In an interview with Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki, Wino responds to a few questions with short, but to the point answers. After five bands and nearly 30 years in metal, Wino still isn't fucking around.

How's it going Wino? This is Jeff Maki of Live-Metal.net. I listened to The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote and I'll say I'm quite impressed. It's a good mix of stoner and southern style rock n' roll. Would you say this is an accurate description of the record's sound?

Yeah if you add some doom and a little Crimson.

You and Bruce are both listed for vocals on the album. I take it that's Bruce on lead for the most part but how much do you provide vocally?

Actually we split vocals pretty even. My songs are basically the first half of the record.

I have 5 electrics, and used them all except one on the record. I have 3 Les Pauls, a custom SG and a Tele. I used the Tele quite a bit believe it or not!

The idea behind the album is original in every sense. The album is a series of episodes centering around a character in the early history of modern America. Talk about the focal point of the album--the character of Whiskey Foote and what this concept is all about.It is about a fictional American character, a renowned hero who re-appears throughout time to bestow knowledge to folks in time of need. Was this an idea that you all had before you began writing and what inspired it?

Bruce came up with this idea, and we talked about it quite awhile before we agreed to use it.

Are the lyrics metaphors for something else on a larger scale or do they simply tell the story-- like say in a novel?

The answer would be both!

THE HIDDEN HAND - 'The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote'

How did the tour with Kylesa go? I really dug their album Time Will Fuse Its Worth and that sounds like a hell of a show with this pairing.

It was great. They brought some folks who might not have come otherwise and vice versa. They are great people too.

Europe, starting with the Roadburn festival.

We are actually located about an hour and a half from Washington D.C. on the Eastern shore of MD in Easton. Do you and the band still call D.C. home or are you in the immediate area?

We are in Maryland also, equal distance from D.C. and Baltimore.

In the early 80s, with the hardcore scene starting to rise in D.C., what inspired you to play doom metal?

I have always liked low, melancholy stuff. Seeing Sabbath at a very early aged helped cement my loves, but Roky Erikson and Zappa were there too.

Doom metal, and metal in general for that matter often depicts satanic imagery. I don't really see this with The Hidden Hand, but what is your stance on religion?

I don't buy into the theory of religion, it's all man made. I don’t like the negative connotations of the Satanic stuff, having kids its a real turn off. I believe we were star seeded from hyper intelligent beings from somewhere--probably the Plaedies or Nibiru {the existence of which has recently been proven} We are literally star children. There are malevolent et's however that have nefarious intent, and our government has made deals and had contact with these and others. There is quite a bit of disinformation out there too, that’s the best tool of the enemy.

I was at a Down show a few years back in D.C. and Phil Anselmo repeatedly was asking the crowd “Where's Wino? Where's Wino?” Do you know Phil personally? Did you know Dimebag?

Yes I know Phil and knew Dimebag. What a shame for both. All Phil’s trash talking and someone took him literally.

Being in the business for so long now, how does it feel to be looked upon by musicians like Anselmo, Dave Grohl and many others as an underground heavy metal icon?

I look upon it as a great honor and will strive to live up to it.

I have two young boys and a new baby coming. They definitely have musical interests we will have to see how it plays out.