Review - Rob Leines: Headcase
Photo by Errol Colandro
“Rock n’ Roll with a cowboy hat,” is one way Rob Leines describes his music. That hat is worn by the type of cowboy that puts in the long hours to do the things that sometimes only he can appreciate. So much time on the road away from family and friends chasing his dream that sometimes only he alone can see. Before going all-in on a music career, Leines was a welder traveling from one construction site to another but gave that up in 2021 to hit the road in support of his second release Blood, Sweat, and Beers. I was made aware of the guitar-driven power trio late in 2022 when they opened for Silverada (formerly Mike & the Moonpies at that time) at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas and completely dominated the legendary dancehall stage. Fast forward to 2024 and the new Rob Leines release Headcase, produced by Mike Harmeier (the “Mike” of The Moonpies) and renowned Roots Music producer Adam Odor (who has worked with Harmeier for many years), will drop on June 14.
The most important thing that new ears in the producer’s chair did not do is change Rob’s sound. That Telecaster guitar, and the things Leines does with it, still drives the music through many already familiar-sounding songs; each story told with a confident swagger. With Josh Halpern (drums) and Derrick Elliot (bass) still holding down the bottom, the band maintains its sharp edge honed by many nights together on stage. Leines says, “We toured for three months before we started tracking, and we went straight from a gig into the studio... everything felt familiar.” That studio was David Percefull’s famous Yellow Dog in the Texas Hill Country town of Wimberley.
Debut single “Doublewide” picks up where “Drinkin Problem” left off on Blood, Sweat, and Beers; continuing the signature sound that brought Leines initial popularity giving fans a good place to start getting into Headcase. The title track is a more straight-ahead rocker featuring a funky bass break from Elliot. Rob’s bad-boy-on-the-run persona returns in “Kentucky” with the story of the mess he left back in the Bluegrass State. “Drive On” is when the production of Harmeier and Odor becomes evident. The acoustic guitars and light percussion immediately grab your attention as another road story unwinds with Leines once again the free and easy narrator. “Honey Hole” would have to be classified as a love song albeit with a nod, a wink and a wry smile, but the dobro guitar solos are an impressive change of pace in a song that develops into a real banger. The strut returns in “Black Lingerie” before the heart of Headcase is revealed with the gem “Goldmine” where Leines pays tribute to his Georgia roots, “Eat muscadines right from the vine / Skeeters, hell, they’ll eat you alive and kudzu grows on everything / Mother’s side is Cherokee, my daddy’s side is Viking / Won’t you come around here and find out?” I can easily hear Harmeier covering this song with Silverada and the instrumental bridge features some intricate harmonies like those featured on that band’s latest work. Out come the acoustic guitars for “Can’t Go On” giving the record a good romp and some harmonica along with more dobro. “High in the Cotton” is about as close to a genuine country song as Leines will get with its spoken-word verses drawing parallels between life on the road as a welder and as a band leader. Rob keeps it country with some tasty guitar work but his sly delivery lets you know that Rock n’ Roll is much more fun. “Sinner” delivers the knockout performance of Headcase. The song should be given serious consideration as a new Southern Rock anthem and deserves to be played loudly at every tailgate and bonfire party from now until eternity. You need the new greatest singalong line ever? Try shouting: “Even laid with the devil on an intimate level just to see how she feels” without a fist in the air.
Leines says, “Headcase is about doing whatever it takes to navigate the roads in your life. It is the sum of the majority of my thoughts the last couple of years; longing for a sense of home, working hard to provide a living for myself, and the burning desire to chase after something more as an artist and personality. It’s about the things we do to just keep on trucking. I like to view it as an audible look inside my head.” On that head is the hat of a working man on the road leading a kick-ass band with a new record that’s going to make some noise.
Find out more about Rob Leines at the links below:
