Hidden hand.

FOR YEARS Scott Wienrich, aka Wino, has been putting his stamp on the independent music world. He's thrived on both the East and West Coasts. In the 1980s, his band Saint Vitus was brushed off by the metal heads and embraced by a band called Black Flag. In no time Greg Ginn and Dez Cadena had Saint Vitus in the studio and were producing a release for SST. Black Flag tours followed, as did other bands for Wino, like the Obsessed and Spirit Caravan. In the doom metal world, everything Wino touches turns to gold. Forward to present day and Hidden Hand is the baby given birth to by Wino and co-front man/co-founder Bruce Faulkinburg. The Hidden Hand is a DC-based trio that's previously released a gem on Southern Lord, called Mother Teacher Destroyer. Hidden Hand found themselves supporting this release with support dates for acts like Sunn0))), Mastodon, and Earth. In no time the buzz was buzzing in doom and underground metal circles. Currently, Hidden Hand has topped themselves by releasing their third full-length and second for Southern Lord, titled The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote. This is without a doubt a masterpiece. How many doom releases can you think of where you can actually hum the melody of each song in your head? Probably not many. Such is the case with The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote. Both Wino and Bruce handle lead vocals with conviction. There's constant soul in the voices above a rumble of bass, drums, and pleasant guitar melodies. This release is class, and nothing less.

Do you and Bruce have your own songs or do you collaborate?

Both. Ideas come to the table separately, and we write during jams. All the arranging is done between all three of us.

Your guitar solos are amazing. Are they in a pre-written state when you record the solos, or do you improvise?

I usually figure out how I want to get in, and take it from there. They're usually spontaneous.

The vocal melodies, as well as the guitar and bass melodies, are beyond memorable. Is this something the band strives for or does it just happen?

We work hard and discuss it all to make it the best we can.

Last year's Mastodon tour was a killer trek. How did that come about?

We share mutual respect for each other's music. They asked us to go. We were delighted.

Every band you've played in holds such high credibility in doom circles. What's different about playing in Hidden Hand compared to your previous experiences in Saint Vitus, the Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, and Place of Skulls?

There's more of an intellectual quality to the Hidden Hand. We have tlong, deep discussions, and we use that to drive our writing.

What are you using for guitar heads, guitar, and cabs?

Same stuff: old Sunn Model T's, SVT's, Hiwatt and Orange cabs.

After completing tours with bands like Mastodon and Kylesa, you've seen a lot of local bands play in many different cities. What do you think about the current state of underground heavy music?

The scene is very alive. Actually, the most it's ever been.

What's your forte these days? Studio or playing live? Both?

My favorite place to be is the studio; although, I love playing live. Playing live is an exercise in life with all the hoops to jump through. Once you're up there, though, it's all worth it.

What's the source that's kept Hidden Hand thriving?

Me and Bruce and Matt, and our mutual desire to make folks happy with our stuff. Enjoy.