Our Tale
We have come to bring you succor.
He’s listening to HSPP the only way he knows how: an iPod mini.
We come from the old stock and hard-pan. You’ve tasted us on the soup bones in yer momma’s kitchen. You’ve smelled us in the dirt on yer daddy’s tools. You’ve known us since the first grade. We see you very well. Hile, bondsmen and women! We’ve come to bring you succor.
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Heavy-Set Paw-Paws, or HSPP, have been making music in and around the mountain state of West Virginia since 2010. You can find some raunchy early recordings at the HSPP Bancamp page. Major releases include the EP Stand Up and Stand (2010), the band’s debut full-length album Cypress Cane (2013), sophomore album Nine Genies in the Family Room (2015), single Power Ribbon (2018), full-length album Spellbook (2020, recorded exclusively on cassette tape), single Stellar Jay (2020), and our newest LP Hi-Potion (2020). You’ll find some rarities at the band’s Soundcloud page.
Members shift in and out of the band with wanton abandon. Previous members include David Gravely, Kati Grimmett, Tyler Evans, Drew Bsharah, Brittany McGuire, Chris Oxley, Michael Cochran, Jerry Kee, Richard Pettry, Jeremy Sauls, Dave Traube, Brandon Lingerfelt, Jared Kaplan, Shane Pierce, Jacob Hartsog, Wes Cooper, and Seth Hughes.
Visual artists Matt Smith, Brandon Lingerfelt, and Nate Harris have helped to develop the image of the band. Photographers Kate Armentrout and Jason Lockart have endeavored to capture the band at work and at play.
HSPP work in conjunction with organizations around Beckley, WV to help keep the town weird and wonderful. A few of our local favorites are Sweeteez Candy, The Chocolate Moose Café, Raveka Marketing, and Butter Chicken Pictures. HSPP record their songs at home or at Duck Kee Studio No. 8.
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HSPP Charleston Gazette-Mail Interview
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How it all began:
When the ghost of Elvis Presley appeared on a TV screen in front of a surprised David Gravely and Tyler Evans, of course they listened to what he said: “boys, I need y’all to channel the holy powers of rock ‘n’ roll. I need y’all to bring light to the darkened hollers of southern West Virginia. You might ask yourselves why I chose ya? Well, y’all was the only ones awake still watchin’ TV with a rabbit ear antenna. Believe me, I wish I was looking at a couple of fellers with a little more sense, but that’s...” Just then, the picture fizzed and turned to static and The King disappeared. That was years ago now. Dave and Tyler did their best to take up the challenge, and are still creating music today. Lots of friends help them write, craft, and otherwise create their strange tunes. Companions near and far aid them with artwork and other creative boons. Many more will surely join the charge. You, like Elvis, may sometimes wish these artists were a little more competent, but you can rest assured that they are oblivious of such desires.