In the ever-shifting landscape of musical trends, some bands remain as steadfast as the North Star, guiding the raw, unfiltered spirit of rock 'n' roll through the tumultuous waves of fickle fans. One such titan of unadulterated musical fervor is none other than The Hangmen, a band that has weathered the storms of big-label allure and personal struggles since their inception in 1986. Led by the indomitable Bryan Small, whose resolute drive echoes like the relentless chug of a locomotive, The Hangmen persist in their sonic journey, a journey that has led them to the brink and back, all while drenched in the intoxicating allure of their signature blend of scuzz-drenched, beer-soaked, unapologetic rawk.

Keith Morris, the sage voice behind Circle Jerks, Black Flag, and OFF!, once summed up the essence of The Hangmen's sonic brew in his own inimitable way: "dirty, sloppy, scuzz drenched, spilled beer, piss stained, rawk." If that description is a fiery incantation, then The Hangmen are the spellcasters who channel the ancestral spirits of the Ramones, Gun Club, Cramps, and even the venerable Rolling Stones, weaving these influences into a frenzied musical concoction that stubbornly lodges itself within the nooks and crannies of your consciousness.

Their latest opus, "Stories To Tell," shows the band's enduring commitment to their distinctive sonic ethos. Here, Bryan Small, a true troubadour of the underbelly, splices his lurid love songs with unflinching, unsentimental narratives that pry open the door to life's shadowy corners. It's as if he wields his music like a scalpel, cutting through the superficial veneer to expose the raw nerves beneath. Tracks like "Midnight Riders" embody a rite of passage, a sonic pilgrimage through the reckless days of youth spent navigating the maze of Hollywood's chaos. Small reminisces, "We didn’t have boundaries. We didn’t have mentors. We were notoriously fucked up geniuses in our eyes."

And yet, even in the midst of this unapologetic chaos, there's a sense of depth and introspection that evokes comparisons to the likes of Neil Young and Tom Petty. There's a melodic, almost haunting quality to "On The Outside," a track that lingers in the air like the echoes of a ghostly memory. It's as if Bryan Small has crafted an auditory time capsule, inviting us to step into his world, replete with its triumphs and tribulations.

"Stories To Tell" also witnesses the band opening the door to collaboration. Longtime Hangmen enthusiast Rob Schnapf, known for his work with luminaries like Elliott Smith and Beck, takes the producer's helm for tracks like "On The Outside" and "Last Time I Saw You." The latter, a heartfelt tribute to the late "Rontrose" Heathman, a former Hangmen and Supersuckers guitar virtuoso, serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of the musical tapestry these artists have woven.

Among the tapestry's vibrant threads lies a cover of Credence Clearwater Revival's "Sinister Purpose," again showing off The Hangmen's roots in the DNA of classic rock. Jimmy James, the band's guitarist, brought the song to the fold, and its inclusion feels as natural as a heartbeat. This is the kind of cross-generational homage that bridges eras, where the past and present intersect in a riotous celebration of sound.

Mark your calendars for September 8, 2023, when "Stories To Tell" is slated for release under Acetate Records.