Unknown Hinson: Interview with a vampire

Named after his father (with his mother's last name) Unknown Hinson is the twangy voice of North Georgia's favorite sea creature Early Cuyler on Adult Swim's "Squidbillies," currently lending his voice talents to the show's upcoming 10th season. Hinson's charmingly womanizing honky-tonk hooks and fanged fashion sense have garnered a strong cult following at local haunts such as the Star Bar and the Earl. But this week Hinson returns to the larger and appropriately Southern gothic setting of the Masquerade. Before rising from his coffin, he explains why he shaved his sideburns, how he chose his backing band, and what to expect from his upcoming record.

??
You're based in North Carolina, but you spend a lot of time in Atlanta. What are your thoughts on a big city like Atlanta.

??
It's always a pleasure. They get it, big time. A lot of folks will drive there from far away or even fly in just to see my shows. Last time I was there, there was a couple that flew in from Ireland just for that show. That ain't exactly down the street.

??
It's been three years since you released your last album, Reloaded. Do you have any new songs to perform?

??
Last summer, after that tour, my hands was kind of beat up from carpal tunnel syndrome, or whatever you call it. So, the doctor said, "Hey, Give it a rest." I come off the road, wrote a lot of songs for another record and in between these shows I'm recording and laying tracks for a new record. I hope to get it out by Christmas. We'll see. Things is getting busy again and there's only so many hours in a day.

??
It kind of justifies my existence to write something. I don't keep no journal or diary or memoirs or nothing. I just write songs. They could be about anything. It can be about my dog barking at some stranger who's coming up close to my house or something like that. Or it can be something like it rained real hard and a big oak tree about fell on my house. That kind of thing. Every song is about an experience that I lived through, or at least witnessed.

??
We'll be doing songs from Reloaded, which is, to date, my favorite record that I've done. We ain't doing anything from the new one because, like I said, they ain't finished yet. As a writer — you know what it's like because you a journalist — you write about things that you know.

??
Well, in this case I'm writing about the Unknown.

??
More or less. But if you write about things you don't research or experience, your readers will see through it.

??
With the lifestyle you lead, I'm sure you've had some interesting experiences to write about since Reloaded.

??
Yes, sir. Every single day. They say, "It's just another day," but it's just another song. That's the way I see it. Even if nothing happens at all, that in itself is something to write about. Why did nothing happen today? Maybe there was something I missed. Some of my best songs kind of write theyself. If I write something, walk away from it until the next day, then can't remember it, it ain't worth recording at all. But if something sticks in my head, I know I've got something worth finishing.

??
The last time I saw you perform, you had lost your signature sideburns.

??
People ask, "Why'd you chop off them sideburns?" Well, it's like this. She said she would shave hers if I would shave mine.

??
But the fangs are still intact?

??
Oh, yeah. They in good shape.

??
Who will be in your band for this show?

??
I've got my original band. On drums is Bill "Buddy Boy" Scott. He's been with me since the first show I done in 1993, right when I got out of prison. On bass I've got Roger "Tiny" Kohrs. I've been through other bands, but these fellers, we seem to have what's called "musical chemistry." We can read each other on stage to where it becomes what they call "second nature." It's easier to improvise, get out on a limb and do things to a song, then come back to the main what you call "outline" of the song.

??
They good boys, too. They don't give me no mess. They both got strong backs, they got driver's licenses and they both got pay-at-the-pump gas cards, which comes in handy. They're fine musicians, too. Don't get me wrong.