Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Myself, Adam Joad “Appalachian Apostle” (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica), Jake Delling Le Bas “Irish Thunder” (Drums), Richard Erwin “Old Kentucky Bastard” (Bass, Vocals) and Adam Newell “Chicago Bootlegger” (Lead Guitar, Vocals).

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Scattered Helmet? How long has the band been around?

That would be a lot of former bands, not very many that anyone would have probably heard of. We all do have some deep punk rock roots that we’re proud of and that reflects our approach to the “business.” We’ve been around as this lineup touring regularly for a few years now - I lose track, I’m not good with numbers and anniversaries etc.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

A “Scattered Hamlet” is a slang term for a small rural community that’s spread out, a lot like the place I grew up. I took it from a chapter in a Civil War book I was reading when I started the original demos for the band. That’s where our music comes from, the backwoods, swamps, hills, mountains and all that. We’ve never changed it but I wish it was more obvious in hindsight, people always say, “yeah I get it, like Shakespeare....” Yeah, it has nothing to do with Shakespeare ha ha.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

It began with me being the primary songwriter and Jake helping me work out arrangements and all that but that’s evolved over time. Everyone contributes these days but the lyrics are pretty much my thing still and I have a few solo compositions on the new album --- It’s about putting out the best material for us, if that comes from a single person cool and if it comes from a collaboration that’s cool too. Adam Newell brought some cool stuff to the table this time and so did Rich and Jake. The topics are mostly autobiographical or things that move me. It may not sound like it on a first listen but our subjects are very similar to traditional outlaw country, which we all really dig. I’m not much into writing love songs or crap like that (I like to listen to them). I think there’s enough of those going around and I don’t have anything of value to add to that landscape at this point. I don’t imagine our subjects will change but you never know what will inspire me. When I was younger I used to write very politically charged and angry punk rock and today I’m not angry or much interested in politics. If I tried to force stuff like that it wouldn’t be authentic. It’s all about authenticity. You can’t fake it.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

That changes so much, I get on kicks and just dive into everything from that artist. I watch music videos and live concert videos for hours - very few people my age can touch me at music trivia. I love music of all types too. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Cheap Trick, Boston, Jerry Reed and the new Prophets of Rage got me back listening to some Public Enemy again.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

When I was little, probably 3 or 4, my brother let me go through his vinyl collection and pick whatever one I wanted for my Mickey Mouse Turntable and I picked Kiss Alive II. At that point it was all the fire and the painted faces that I thought were cool. That did it for me, many years later I’m still ripping off Space Ace during our live shows. It’s probably why I gravitated to the Les Paul as my favorite instrument too.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

It’s funny you ask that, we just had a fan write to us and complain about me being a “standoffish” to them when they interrupted my pre show ritual. After I took the time to personally answer them on social media they seemed satisfied with my response. I’m a long time Jiu Jitus practitioner and MMA guy so I typically do some shadow boxing and foot work to get the blood flowing. I warm up my voice usually with some Bryan Adams or Billy Joel and then I take a moment of silence where I don’t talk to anyone so I can honor all my friends and family that aren’t with me anymore and that helped me get where I am. If you catch me during this time I won’t be rude, but I also don’t want to have a conversation with a stranger about their cousin the drummer or what they think I should do in the set to make us better -Just enjoy the show, I get in that head space to give every last bit I have on stage and treat each show like it was my last because it might be.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

I don’t know if there’s been a single highlight. For me it’s been about seeing an idea my buddy and I thought up in his Iowa studio become a full on touring machine that’s shared the stage with some of my heroes. That’s pretty cool and I don’t take that for granted.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

If it was a band today, I’d really like to tour with Clutch, Orange Goblin, Corrosion of Conformity, Kid Rock, Nashville Pussy or someone like Valient Thorr, I think those would be great shows. If it were in the past, I’d want to play a show with Skynyrd when Ronnie Van Zant, Collins and Gaines were still alive.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

No but thank you for taking the time to ask me a few questions and for helping us all keep the spirit of rock alive. Artists, journalists, fans and everyone, we’re all in this together. Our new single and video for “Swamp Rebel Machine” dropped last Friday so take some time and check it out and if you dig it, share it with a friend and buy it or stream it legally - this is our job and it helps us keep doing it when you give respect to folks working hard and sacrificing a lot to bring it to you by not downloading it illegally.