
NINE POUND HAMMER
Nine Pound Hammer is an American cowpunk band formed in 1985 by singer Scott Luallen and guitarist Blaine Cartwright in their hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky.
Nine Pound Hammer were one of the first rural hardcore punk bands to substantially incorporate rural blue-collar motifs into their minimalist hardcore sound. Their lyrics (reminiscent of outlaw country) address themes such as alcoholism, rural poverty and violence, and include references and tributes to the likes of Jesco White and Dale Earnhardt. By contrast, most of the urban and experimental cowpunk bands of the 1970s/80s in Los Angeles and the UK were roots rock, folk rock or new wave bands incorporating country music instruments and influences as a secondary (sometimes temporary) aspect of their sound.
After the band disbanded in 1997, guitarist Blaine Cartwright formed Nashville Pussy, which shares many of Nine Pound Hammer’s musical and lyrical conventions, with the addition of a lead guitarist and a more hard rock/Southern rock format.