History
Early years (1986–1991)
Copperhead was founded by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Neil Carswell and lead guitarist, Jon Byrd in the mid-1980s, gradually evolving into a complete lineup with bass player Tony Hawkins, drummer Eric Suttlemyre, and keyboardist Brad Durden. Formed in Morganton, North Carolina, all members were from Burke County, North Carolina, except Durden, who hailed from Asheville. The band originally rehearsed and performed at informal outdoor shows on Carswell's family land at Lake James, where they once drew crowds of 700 before being shut down by local authorities. [3]
Lead singer Neil Carswell began writing songs during junior high and high school. Influenced by classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Marshall Tucker Band, Carswell and his best friend Jon Byrd formed an early band called The Past in 11th grade, playing covers of 1970s hits. As they began writing original material, their manager, Dirk Peterson, encouraged a name change, and the band rebranded as Copperhead to reflect a more distinct Southern identity. Together, all five members worked together at their manager's construction company, reinforcing their shared blue-collar background.
The band built a regional following through live performances and showcases organized by Atlanta-based attorney Charlie Phillips. In the early 1990s, the band recorded a four-song demo with producer Ely Bail in Memphis, Tennessee, which was submitted to music attorney Fred Davis, son of Clive Davis.
Sign to Mercury Records, self-titled debut album, Harley Davidson & Marlboro Man feature (1992–1994)
Copperhead's demo secured the band's breakthrough and led to an eight-album deal with Mercury Records in early 1992. Their self-titled debut album, Copperhead , was released on July 10, 1992, featuring production by Tom Dowd and mixing by Rodney Mills. [4] The recording sessions marked the first collaboration between Dowd and Mills since Lynyrd Skynyrd's album Street Survivors which was the last before their 1977 plane crash. The album included 12 tracks, most notably “Long Way from Home”, “Busted”, “The Scar”, and “Whiskey.” [5]
The song “Long Way from Home” was selected as the title track for the 1991 film Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man , while “Busted” appeared on the soundtrack for the 1992 horror film Dr. Giggles . The band also shot a music video for “Whiskey” in their hometown, with scenes filmed around Lake James and at a converted honky-tonk nightclub. The video received airplay on MTV in 1993. [6] [7]
Between 1992 and 1994, Copperhead toured extensively across the U.S., opening for .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, The Kentucky Headhunters, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Quiet Riot, and Night Ranger. They also shared the stage with rising acts like Brother Cane and LSD. The band's raw working-class authenticity made them popular with blue-collar rock fans. [8]
Radio & Records and The Hard Report tracked the band's moderate national success. “Whiskey” peaked at #17 on the AOR National Airplay chart, [9] while “The Scar” entered the top 60. Copperhead received regular airplay across numerous stations including KFMX, KRXQ, WROQ, WBAB, WRIF, and WBCN. [10]
Drop from Mercury, disbandment, Live & Lost, new projects (1995–present)
Despite strong touring and radio performance, the band was dropped by Mercury amid the grunge movement's dominance and Carswell's personal struggles and deteriorated mental state due to addiction which resulted in him exiting the band in 1995. [11]
In 2002, former singer Neil Carswell obtained permission to release a compilation album titled Live & Lost , that features a collection of live and unreleased Copperhead songs that included eight studio tracks and four live cuts from their 1992 tour. [12] It also featured previously unreleased songs with arrangements by Southern rock producers Tom Dowd and Rodney Mills, back when the two reunited for the recording sessions taken place during the creation of Copperheard's 1992 debut album. The "Live & Lost" album was the band's final release before Carswell's death in 2024. [13]
Following Carswell's departure, members guitarist Jon Byrd and bassist Tony Hawkins recruited a new lead singer, DB Bryant to join the band, however, that project only lasted a very brief spell and by the end of 1995 the band had completely disbanded for good. [14] Following the disbandment Bryd and Hawkins went on to form a new band "Jonas Ridge" with singer Jason Davis and drummer Okey parsons until their breakup in early 2000. Byrd and Hawkins would for another new band, "Hybrid" in 2000, with singer John Culberson, and released a debut album in 2004 before re-branding the band in late 2006 by changing their band name to "A Course of Action". [15] In 1997 Eric Suttlemyre joined the band "Elijah Prophet", while Brad Durden later joined former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer's solo band the "Artimus Pyle Band." [16] Neil Carswell launched a solo career in the mid 2000s as a country music artist and released two solo albums, "A Good Man's Journey" (2006) "Keep You Guessing" (2009) before passing away at his home in January 2024 at age 55. [17]
Musical style and influences
Copperhead's music was described as a fusion of classic Southern rock and gritty hard rock, with spiritual undertones and heartfelt lyrics. Their sound drew comparisons to Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Blackfoot, and The Marshall Tucker Band, while incorporating blues-based slide guitar, Hammond organ, and layered vocal harmonies. Their songs often reflected the rural Southern experience, faith, personal hardship, and blue-collar resilience. [18]
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