Hawkbill
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| Started By: | Adam, Travis, Chris | ||
| Years Active: | 2016 - Present | ||
| Based In: | Manchester, KY | ||
| First Show | March 5, 2016 at The Green Lantern, Lexington | ||
| Last show: | July 2022 at Holler of Doom | ||
| Number of Members: | 5 | ||
Absolutely ruthless Eastern KY sludge that could play at a punk rock's length or deliver the most punishing hour of your life. Played Louisville several times supporting touring bands and alongside the locals.
"A punishing and honest manifestation of the wretched pain and terrible beauty of the Kentucky hills, Hawkbill are the heavy riff descendants of ten thousand dark and bloody dreams."
History
When Motherplant announced they were going on hiatus in early 2016, Adam Nicholson and Travis Marcum both opted to start a new band. With bassist Chris Gilbert (Formerly of progressive/groove metal band Illusions) at the helm, the band would be christened Hawkbill, following a similar style of sludge/doom metal to the respective members' previous bands though in a much more abrasive tone than before.
The band's debut string of shows would happen in September with a handful of shows scattered through the remainder of the year. By the end of 2016 the band had recorded material for a forthcoming release along with being announced to Lexington, Kentucky's premier metal festival Blood of the Wolf.
On 5 January 2017 the band released their first studio recording entitled Fever. The band followed with a self-titled studio album released on 24 March 2017, with physical copies available at Blood of the Wolf Fest. Since the album release the band has actively performed around with a host of new songs showing up in their setlists. A July mini-tour with Lexington sludge band Dirtbag happened in early July entitled the Forever Hangover Tour. Along with performing songs from the self-titled record, the band had a host of other songs in their live set such as "Clip", "Leech" and "Nothing".
On 13 July 2017 it would be announced that Hawkbill would sign with Drakkar Promotions, with intents of releasing a vinyl edition of the first album. Hawkbill would tour once again with Dirtbag in early 2018 following a string of shows performing with the likes of The Obsessed, Eyehategod, Conan and The Skull. On 28 April 2018, Adam Nicholson announced he would be leaving the band amicably to concentrate on other projects including new material with Seidr. Despite Nicholson's departure, Gilbert and Marcum would continue the band as a duo. This lineup was intended to record new music and played their first show as a two-piece on 23 June 2018. However, this duo lineup only performed on four occasions.
Chris Gilbert passed away on 10 October 2018, aged 28. In the wake of Gilbert's passing, Nicholson would rejoin the band. The band's first performance since then would take place on 9 April 2019 at Cosmic Charlie's supporting Aseethe, Body Void and Primitive Man. With former Seidr bassist Wesley Crow, Hawkbill would perform several shows in the Lexington area through the rest of the year with plans on a second album in the works. By 2021 the band would revert back into a duo, with just Marcum and Nicholson.
Bradford Harris (L.I.P.S.) would join the band on bass in 2022, starting with an appearance at Holler of Doom that July. On 13 August 2022 Travis Marcum would be struck in a hit-and-run and badly injured. A Gofundme would be hosted to help with medical funds and more. While Marcum has mostly recovered the band has been largely dormant.
Members
Current Lineup
- Adam Nicholson - Guitar (2016 - 2018, 2019 - Present)
- Travis Marcum - Drums, Vocals (2016 - Present)
- Bradford Harris - Bass (2022 - Present)
Past Members
- Chris Gilbert - Bass, Guitar (2016 - 2018) (Died 2018)
- Wesley Crow - Bass (2019 - 2021)
Releases
- Hawkbill (Album) (2017)
Associated Acts
- Seidr
- Alegionnaire
- Below
- Motherplant
- Buzz-Hound
- Illusions
- Wheels Within Wheels
- L.I.P.S.