A Dirty Dozen with TYLER TRACY from WELLBORN ROAD – May 2022

According to a recent press release: “Houston, TX based hard rock band WELLBORN ROAD has released the official music video for their heavy cover of the 1980 ZZ TOP classic, “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”. Established 2005 in College Station and now calling Houston home, Wellborn Road has carved its name as one of the heavy weights in the Texas Hard Rock and Metal scene. Wellborn Road is nothing short of in-your-face energy and excitement on stage, and has been playing the Texas circuit regularly building their fanbase, called the Brew Crew, across the state. With the release of their ZZ Top cover single, “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers,” Wellborn Road is ready to once again wave the Texas Metal flag with ferocity and power.” We get guitarist Tyler to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest single is actually a ZZ Top cover of “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers.”  We just kind of put our own stamp on what they did.  The song is already a banger, so there wasn’t much to do, other than add some Wellborn Road chunk to it. I dunno if there’s anything hidden, really the only new thing is I did some lead vocals on it with our singer. Which is something we’ve never done before.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My parents have old video of me at like 2 years old using boxes as air guitars. I always had an overwhelming interest in music.  Not just hearing it, but actually listening to what’s going on in it.  I had a few friends who had instruments at their houses, and even though I couldn’t play at the time, I wanted to go in there and just make noise on ’em.  Or see if I could create something on it.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There’s lots, but I think like most heavy music fans, Metallica is what molded me.  My first taste of what I considered great music though, was my dad having Black Sabbath’s Paranoid record playing all the time, along with Cream and Jimi Hendrix.  However, my brother had Metallica and Pantera records.  I’d sneak into his room and blast ‘em on his radio when he’d leave.  They’re still two of my all-time favorite bands.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Wow, that’s a great question.  I think from a Production view, it would be Terry Date.  He was part of some GIANT sounding albums. As far as make a song with and have them appear on it, I think Corey Taylor.  Since the guy can do absolutely anything you’d want vocally.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I’d have to say hanging with my family, firing up the smoker to cook some Texas Style BBQ, and lifting weights. However, I still like to play guitar in my down time.  There’s always room to get better or create something better than ever.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

If Pantera, Alice in Chains, and Zakk Wylde all had a modernized love child haha.  We’re kind of everywhere musically.  We just want to make good music. I’m not sure about a comparison I didn’t agree with.  I’m sure there have been some I was like “uhhhh did they listen to us at all?”  I can remember a radio spot that was made for a show we played.  They were hyping up a headlining gig we were playing and when they said, “A Special Performance by Wellborn Road” and Ace of Bass started playing in the background.  So that was pretty damn comical.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’d say I’m the cook 99.9% of the time.  Our singer Scott is no doubt gonna be slamming back some cold ones, making it a party no matter what time of day. Although the rest of us are easily convinced to join him.  JD and Phillip are probably the ones that’d be playing guitars, laughing at the dumb stuff Scott and I are doing while we’re slugging cold beers.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’ve been star struck one time.  It was getting to meet Dimebag Darrell in Arlington, TX.  I’ve been lucky enough to meet most of my musical idols, but he made me the guitar player I am today. I’ve met Zakk Wylde, Phil Anselmo, and a TON of other musicians and athletes.  But Dime’s always been my guy.  It was cool to tell him “You’re the reason I picked up the guitar.” He couldn’t have been a nicer guy either. RIP.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is the ability to create something out of nothing.  Before you started writing a song, nobody knew it would exist, and you’re the only person who has any idea of what it will be.  There’s also no high that exists like when you’re on stage and everything is clicking. Right now, I’m a firefighter and paramedic to pay the bills.  So, I kind of get to do all the things I wanted to do as a kid, other than becoming a Ninja.  I’m gonna work on that though.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Wanted to be asked: “Can I get you a beer?” Tired of Answering: “What’s different about your band?”

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I dunno that this interview is long enough for that.  We’re extremely DIY so there’s been plenty. I wish we would’ve taken everything more seriously in the beginning of the band.  We kind of just used it to go drink and party everywhere.  We still enjoy that part of it.  But we were broke and didn’t have the know how to create the live show that we put on now.  We all work our ass off now crafting our art; visually and sonically.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Vulgar Display of Power.  Iconic record.  Pantera was at their hungriest. I can only imagine the wild times they were having.  It just seems like you’d get to be a part of a good time and still nerd out to how they were creating a masterpiece.

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Category: Interviews