Nether Hour

The titillating triplets sit down to discuss the band’s origin, recording rap songs in haunted hotels, and what to expect of their upcoming projects, Sunshine and Moonshine. Please welcome to the page, Nether Hour. 

Whether it be on the world’s biggest podcast or in the pages of Sidecar Junkaroo’s seventh issue, the people are talking about the band known as Nether Hour. In fact, one could toss a stone in any direction within Austin’s city limits and probably hit a gaggle of folks who worship their music. If you have been lucky enough to see them play, it is evident that there is no shortage of amusement happening in the performance or in the crowd. Although good times are the vibrational foundation of the group, Nether Hour is more than just a trio of self-proclaimed dum-dums strumming out on stage. 

It is somehow all work and all play for Bercy, Bobby and Bishop. By the time this article is released, the band will have just dropped their sophomore studio album Sunshine, with their next album, Moonshine, already on deck and slated for release later in the year. The upcoming albums are separate projects but complement each other, showcasing some of the band’s musical yin and yang. Sunshine is the summer soundtrack to a day trip spent frolicking around hill country in the back of an old pickup. Nether Hour’s familiar themes of southern rock & roll can be heard accompanying new, freshened iterations of the band’s signature sound. Expect groovy acoustic instrumentation, surprise guests, and the same playful energy you know and love.

Alternatively, Moonshine can be heard late at night on the car radio as you take the country roads back home, catching a glimpse of the city skyline as it peaks between the live oaks. Softer, R&B vibes to welcome the Fall equinox. One can anticipate Nether Hour’s sensual side to rear its provocative and ever-present head as they bless us with their silky harmonies, charming lyrical eroticism, and seductive arrangements. Whether you are soaking up some Sunshine or bathing in Moonshine, both albums are about taking the scenic route and enjoying the ride. 

Although the threads of Nether Hour are always present in any of their projects no matter how they dress themselves, the band professes that their motivation behind switching up their style is simple: sticking to one genre is boring. Complimentary, yet very different projects are going to introduce a new side of the band that was not shown on their first record, Rattlesnake Gumbo, which was high-octane and in-your-face by design. 

These projects present the next indeterministic evolution of the group, sticking to the regimen of having fun, improving, and working hard while not adhering to a rigid, genre-induced closed-minded psychosis. Instead, Nether Hour is focused on harnessing their chi by whatever means necessary. The efficiency of this album release schedule is recent evidence of their tireless work in the studio, but their indefatigable mindset has been on display since their formation in 2018. Even before their time as a band, the boys were always involved in the Austin music scene to varying levels and degrees.

Bishop and Bercy were playing in a band with Forest Cazayoux back in Louisiana before they all moved to Austin. Forest often plays drums with Nether Hour when he is not playing with his main band, Cazayoux, which Bishop confesses is one of the best bands in Austin. Bishop grew up on the bayou, practically birthed on the swamp in a boat with a gun on his hip and a knife in his pocket. “Good ol’ boy shit.”

The Louisiana boys met Bobby via another Austin musician, JaRon Marshall of Black Pumas. Bobby met JaRon at Culinary Dropout up in The Domain after admiring his musical prowess on the keyboard. The pair proceeded to play together often, even starting a contemporary R&B/Jazz project called Donny Jewelz. Bishop saw Bobby performing at Mohawk when he played a mashup of Good Day by Ice Cube and Footsteps in the Dark by The Isley Brothers – which “hit hard as fuck” and immediately grabbed the attention and respect of Bishop. JaRon then introduced the boys and Nether Hour was born.

Bobby would always say, “It’s late as fuck, I have no business being up in the Nether Hour,” which gave birth to the band’s name but then, ironically, the group was only booking 2pm weekday slots playing to grackles, ghosts and globetrotters. Nevertheless, this was in total alignment with the group’s priority to play shows and play them often. In the beginning the band would hold practices, but with their high frequency of booking shows they quickly began learning songs on the spot during live sets.

No expectations were present at Nether Hour’s inception outside of enjoying themselves and playing good music. The assembling of the three, coupled with 2/3 of the band’s origins, fused Louisiana and Texas styles of rock and roll, blues, funk and, well, any other style of music Nether Hour pleases. No genres. No setlists. No rules. They simply play what they want to play. The band members have been a part of groups before that came to an end at the mercy of rules and limitations.  Their one and only rule is nothing can be forced, everything has to feel genuine and authentic. Nothing is done for a clout token.

“When you’re a musician without the right band or without your signature song or sound, it can feel like you’re a good musician drowning in the darkest part of the ocean where you can’t see where the light is or where the bubbles are popping up and about a year ago, we found the fucking light. We couldn’t be happier and more grateful to be doing this with the right people. And to see the people receive it the way they do is the most important part.” - Bishop

Having fun and playing unrestrained is a luxury earned by the band as a result of their hard work and dedication to their collective vision. The result of hours spent playing together and committing to a singular purpose – the primary nuts and bolts that hold together this machine. They are at the point where they have played together so often, they have a sibling-like telepathy when performing that connects them without even a wink or visual cue. Even throughout my conversation with the band, every comment from one member initiated a shockwave of nods from the others. A collective, singular organism. A rare strand of funky mycelium transporting musical genius through an unseen network of soundwaves.

Although their collective intuition helps to sustain the ensemble in a state of harmony, they have continued to learn how to supplement each other’s strengths and propel their musical abilities forward. Each individual band member quickly becomes your new favorite as you study them independently execute their respective roles on stage. Bobby’s smooth, yet sultry stoicism coexists poetically with Bercy’s infectious effervescence and Bishop’s unapologetic charisma and banter. It is not only their musical ability that is on display at their shows, they are also seasoned entertainers and undeniably friends.  

Just like any band, Nether Hour has experienced their own series of droughts, stagnation and administrative hurdles with venues. Most residency-style gigs have an expectancy of cover-band style setlists, and it’s an arm-wrestle to negotiate in some instances. The team is learning to sift through those opportunities and ordeals. Organizing the business side of being a band to eliminate other external variables from slowing them down. Their manager, Kyle Dunn, has been a game changer in the group's recent success. The band stays in constant, close contact with Kyle, who helps them focus on having fun so that the best energy and performance can be delivered. 

Another notable member of the Nether Hour family is the brilliant talent behind the album Sunshine’s cover art. Avery (aka @Averayray aka DJ HeyGirl) is a multi-talented muse working closely with the band in many facets. You can see her artwork throughout the Nether Hour Instagram and you can catch her live in action hosting Cutthroat Karaoke multiple nights each week (schedule available @cutthroatkaraoke on Instagram).

There is a newfound resilience behind their brand thanks to the band’s persistence and support from their aforementioned team. Their presence in the Live Music Capital is nothing short of profound, and the good ol’ boys are starting to stack their bread. Nether Hour are in a transitional phase between bars and music venues, but bring the irrefragable heat to any stage they grace with their presence. The band is even bringing their talents to the university scene, playing the role of a 21st century Lynyrd Skynyrd to SEC parties from Texas to Florida to Tennessee. Dropping two albums while being savages out of the studio as well. All the little success moments are so pivotal in fueling the group and giving them the gas to keep moving forward.  

Nether Hour has held residencies at a number of bars and venues over the years, and the community of people who have attended their shows week after week have made these places feel like home. It’s a safe space for everyone.

“We have cultivated a community that allows people to forget their bullshit, their bills, their dog is sick…whatever baggage they bring to the show, they can check it at the door. We just want to be a moment where people can forget. $20 in your pocket can buy you a few lone stars and entrance to a community that loves and supports and wants to have a good time.” - Nether Hour

Couples. Friends. Music lovers. Nether Hour has served as a catalyst for their meeting, and their shows act as a Petri dish for both wholesomeness and debauchery. Exercising an unspoken policy of no setlists for their three hour shows gives the band unchecked freedom to read the crowd, play their favorite tunes, and put on a show for any occasion. They may not be the band to pull up and play your favorite song every time, but they will certainly perform at the highest level. You have no choice but to stay to the end and look forward to the next one. Even within the same songs, you may never truly hear an identical track ever again. New solos, notes, riffs and fills. The boys never fail to keep the set fresh and soulful, just like they are playing it for the very first time. 

They’ve made a lot of music, dude. They’ve been doing it their whole lives. They have been making music so often that they have a lot of hits in the chamber and yet so much is left in the tank. There are no safe bets in this life, and Nether Hour understands the necessity of taking risks if you ever want to find success. Many people are investing their money in real estate, but that comes with the liability of bursting pipes, roof damage, anything can go wrong. Nether Hour has constructed acres of musical real estate and once it’s released, nobody can break a good song. The only pipe that may burst is Bobby’s on stage when Bercy hits a mean lick on the bass. These songs are the best real estate possible. 

Like Tyson, Nether Hour swing fast and swing hard, but understand that the hits mean nothing unless they are delivered with impeccable timing - and that time is now. Check out Nether Hour’s new album, Sunshine, streaming on all platforms. Visit their website netherhour.com and follow @netherhour on Instagram to keep up with the latest news and showtimes.