Photo courtesy of Leah Bullard • leahbullard.com
The V-Roys
The V-Roys.
On the eve of the new millennium, Knoxville, Tenn., roots music fans bid farewell to one of the most beloved bands that ever called The Marble City home. The V-Roys, in all their ragged glory, charged through an inspiring set at the majestic Tennessee Theater in front of a sold-out crowd as they played their last show.
As the band members reached the edge of the stage for their final bow together, the house lights went on shining upon the crowd—filled with mixed emotions, realizing that this was the last time they’d see their hometown heroes, an era ended for all as a new one began.
With acclaimed solo careers and other worldly ventures, The V-Roys have continually received impressive notoriety and are still revered as one of Knoxville’s best bands despite not playing a single show in 12 years, a true testament to their influence on the musical community and the fans that love their brand of Americana music. With 2011 New Year’s Eve approaching, The V-Roys have reunited for what will be their final show at the famous Tennessee Theater in Knoxville, coinciding with their first ever compilation release, an anthology of remastered tracks handpicked from both of their seminal albums, “Just Add Ice” and “All About Town.” Also included are five unreleased studio recordings, two originals and three inspiring covers, making “Sooner Or Later” the perfect introduction to the brilliance that made this band such a favorite to many.
Whether they approved of the label or not, The V-Roys have often been lumped into the popular alt-country movement of the 1990’s, a genre of music infusing country, folk, and even punk-rock flavored riffs with witty and insightful lyrics. The Knoxville revelers were leaps and bounds beyond the typical twang-and-bang bar bands of the day. Although many fans may see the comparisons to similar dual singer/songwriter bands like Uncle Tupelo and The Jayhawks, The V-Roys never really felt that way. “We considered ourselves a pop band with pop songs,” explains Scott Miller, vocalist and guitarist, “So we never really embraced the alt-country movement and they never really hugged back.” Signed to Steve Earle’s E-Squared Records label in the mid-90’s, the group recorded and released their debut “Just Add Ice” in 1996 with much adornment and praise from music critics. The album was a balancing act of contributions from both songwriters—Mic Harrison and Scott Miller, filled with straightforward production and no-frills arrangements—the solid songwriting and commendable musicianship drew fans in immediately.
“There was this chemistry between us, something hard to define” remembers Mic Harrison. “We wanted it to sound more live than over-produce, and I think we achieved that.”
The album was filled with classic rock n’ roll on tracks like “Guess I Know I’m Right” and “Wind Down,” even more touching were tunes like “Lie I Believe” and “Goodnight Loser,” an album filled with true emotion and energy that couldn’t be faked.
“Looking back, I think I was paranoid that we would end up sounding slick and people would make fun of us for it,” says Miller.
Drummer Jeff Bills and bassist Paxton Sellers were the solid backbeat complimenting Mic and Miller’s energy and craft for penning honest and hook laden songs, the result was a solid debut that put the band on the map and gained them national attention.
The band continued to extensively tour the Southeast and beyond, but found a huge following especially among East Tennesseans.
“There is an East Tennessee entertainment ethic. I think you see it when you look at artists that have come out of East Tennessee, from Roy Acuff to The Amazing Rhythm Aces. For all intents and purposes, we were raised in and by that ethic: People are paying their hard earned money to come and see you. Give them their money’s worth in effort and sincerity,” says Miller.
With that authenticity and desire to play their best every night, The V-Roys became much more than the hot local band to many, their songs became soundtracks to people’s lives in a way that many groups strive but never quite reach.
Albeit brief, The V-Roys left their mark as “All About Town” was released in October of 1998, slightly more produced, but filled with the same caliber of songwriting—a fusion of rock and twang with the earnest lyrical approach that has always been their trademark. With appearances at Farm Aid, “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien, a trip across the Atlantic to play the UK, and various prestigious venues throughout the United States, The V-Roys came to a personal crossroads towards the end of 1999 and ultimately decided to go their separate ways after their New Year’s show at the Tennessee Theater. “I recall their being a mixture of both sadness and excitement in the air,” remembers Jason Knight manager for Mic Harrison, “Some fans were glum and moping around knowing they only had a few hours left with the band, some folks were celebrating the fact they only had a few hours left with the band … but once The V-Roys took the stage the mood turned to pure inebriated joy and we were all in for the big finale.”
“Sooner or Later” can be held up much like a well manicured scrapbook, a look back at the great work the band is proud to stand by to this day—not to mention the five unreleased songs fans will definitely want to check out. It seems that time and other factors would prevent a band from jumping back in the ring, but Scott, Mic, Jeff, and Paxton have other plans New Year’s Eve 2011. The band’s show sold out in less than two hours, but that won’t stop fans from trying to get a listen from outside the Tennessee Theater. The show promises to be one for the ages. So as the band says its final goodbyes with what will be an unforgettable night, let’s raise a glass and toast the boys from Knoxville and thank them for all the memorable moments and music they’ve given us.
Q&A with Scott Miller
SML: The V-Roys were highly influential during the 90’s alt-country movement. Looking back, how does it feel to have been a part of that era?
Scott Miller: I’m not trying to be humble here: I really don’t think we influenced that many bands. For one, we were one of many, many bands mixing rock and country and that wasn’t any kind of ground-breaking concept. And secondly, we considered ourselves a pop band with pop songs, so we never really embraced the "alt-country” movement and they never really hugged back. But that being said, I have been (drunkenly) told that we were an influence from a band or two when out on the road. How does it make me feel? It makes me feel very old.
Before you formed the Viceroys, you had already established yourself as a promising songwriter in Knoxville. Was there an internal debate as to whether you could/should remain solo or start a band?
Oh for sure. I had a circuit I was ‘working’ and I was making a living with a solid if not avid fan base. But I wanted something more. Not just musically or artistically (which was the case), but for what at the time I thought my “career” needed. Very driven, I was and still am to some degree. But whenever anyone chooses change in their life there are going to be people—be they fans or even friends—that don’t want you to change. Change? But you know the cliché: You gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette. Looking back I wish I had pushed myself to explore more. I guess it’s never too late. I’ll start tomorrow.
When you go back to the “Just Add Ice” days, do you recall what you felt when you signed to Steve Earle’s E-Squared Records label?
Do you mean did I think we had “made it”? I did feel like we made a great first step and it was a very exciting time. But for me personally, right at the very same time we got signed, made our first record, and did our first big tour, my sister was diagnosed with, fought against, and died from cancer. That all took nine months. Now some might say “that put it all in perspective,” but that would be a load of crap. There is no “perspective” to be gained from that, at least for me, other than it sucked, and thank God I was able to spend as much time with her as I was—the music business is not a nine to five job—and that after she died, I had something to throw myself into. And yes I just ended the previous sentence with a preposition. She would have called me out on that.
The V-Roys allowed you to travel and play on national television, tour Europe, and a host of other perks. Do you miss those days?
Who wouldn’t? It was awesome.
Both albums, “Just Add Ice” & “All About Town” are certainly required listening for any roots-rock fan. Reflecting on those sessions, would you have done anything differently with production/writing/arrangements?
There are always things you wish you had done differently or even better. I feel that way about all the records I’ve ever made, and I bet most artists do too. But over all, we were as good as we were going to be and we used everything we had at the time.
I remember being so protective of trying to “keep it real”: using the first live take wherever possible, limiting the overdubs, using no reverb, and just trying to make the recording sound like what you would hear if you were to come see us play as a four piece band. Looking back, I think I was paranoid that we would end up sounding “slick” and people would make fun of us for it. Know what? What a bunch of horseshit! First of all, we couldn’t sound “slick” if we tried: Paxton was the only true “musician” in the band; Jeff, Mic and I were just three guys who tried to put as many hooks in a song as we could while trying to write something we could get behind and sing. I think that was and still is our essence. We were definitely more produced on “All About Town” than “Just Add Ice” (and we fought every bit of it). I wish we had let go and explored even more. Now, that’s just my opinion. I don’t speak for the band here at all.
What was the impetus for revisiting V-Roy material and creating the anthology?
Money. Next question.
Now that you have your own record label and a highly acclaimed solo career, does ownership cause more headaches or solve more problems?
Its not an “either/or.” I’ve said many times, the way the music business has changed and is changing just right for an independent artist like me. Its not as glamorous as it once was because you have to do more things yourself and reach out to your fans on a more personal level—and sometimes I miss those old days when musicians could remain aloof and mysterious—but you have more control of what part of you is being “sold” and you get to keep so much more of the money. The business is back where it started and should have stayed: artist driven. It’s about time.
There’s a big New Years Eve show at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, The V-Roys are reuniting for a big show. Are you excited and have y’all starting rehearsing yet?
HA! You guys don’t know Jeff Bills very well. We started rehearsing back in July. Its gonna be a great night, a fun night. I can’t wait.
Knoxville, as well as much of Eastern Tennesse, has remained a loyal fan base for you and the rest of the V-Roy members. Why do you think your music has such a natural appeal to folks living there?
There is an East Tennessee entertainment ethic. I think you see it when you look at the artists that have come out of East Tennessee, from Roy Acuff to The Amazing Rhythm Aces. For all intents and purposes we were raised in and by that ethic: People are paying their hard earned money to come and see you. Give them their money’s worth in effort and sincerity.