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Copperhead (Southern rock band)

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Not to be confused with Copperhead (1970s band).
Copperhead
Background information
OriginMorganton, North Carolina, U.S.
GenresSouthern rock, hard rock
Years active1986–1995
LabelsMercury Records
Past members
Websitehttps://www.neilcarswell.com/

Copperhead was an American Southern rock band formed in Morganton, North Carolina in 1986. The band is often regarded as the last authentic Southern rock band before the genre's commercial decline in the 1990s. The group released their self-titled debut album in 1992 under Mercury Records, produced by Tom Dowd.[1] The band is best known for their song "Long Way from Home" being featured in the 1991 movie starring Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man.[2]

History

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Early years (1986–1991)

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Copperhead was founded by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Neil Carswell and lead guitarist, Jon Byrd in the mid-1980s, gradually evolving into a complete lineup with bass player Tony Hawkins, drummer Eric Suttlemyre, and keyboardist Brad Durden. Formed in Morganton, North Carolina, all members were from Burke County, North Carolina, except Durden, who hailed from Asheville. The band originally rehearsed and performed at informal outdoor shows on Carswell's family land at Lake James, where they once drew crowds of 700 before being shut down by local authorities.[3]

Lead singer Neil Carswell began writing songs during junior high and high school. Influenced by classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Marshall Tucker Band, Carswell and his best friend Jon Byrd formed an early band called The Past in 11th grade, playing covers of 1970s hits. As they began writing original material, their manager, Dirk Peterson, encouraged a name change, and the band rebranded as Copperhead to reflect a more distinct Southern identity. Together, all five members worked together at their manager’s construction company, reinforcing their shared blue-collar background.

The band built a regional following through live performances and showcases organized by Atlanta-based attorney Charlie Phillips. In the early 1990s, the band recorded a four-song demo with producer Ely Bail in Memphis, Tennessee, which was submitted to music attorney Fred Davis, son of Clive Davis.

Sign to Mercury Records, self-titled debut album, Harley Davidson & Marlboro Man feature (1992–1994)

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Copperhead's demo secured the band's breakthrough and led to an eight-album deal with Mercury Records in early 1992. Their self-titled debut album, Copperhead, was released on July 10, 1992, featuring production by Tom Dowd and mixing by Rodney Mills.[4] The recording sessions marked the first collaboration between Dowd and Mills since Lynyrd Skynyrd's album Street Survivors which was the last before their 1977 plane crash. The album included 12 tracks, most notably “Long Way From Home,” “Busted,” “The Scar,” and “Whiskey.”[5]

The song “Long Way from Home” was selected as the title track for the 1991 film Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, while “Busted” appeared on the soundtrack for the 1992 horror film Dr. Giggles. The band also shot a music video for “Whiskey” in their hometown, with scenes filmed around Lake James and at a converted honky-tonk nightclub. The video received airplay on MTV in 1993.[6][7]

Between 1992 and 1994, Copperhead toured extensively across the U.S., opening for .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, The Kentucky Headhunters, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Quiet Riot, and Night Ranger. They also shared the stage with rising acts like Brother Cane and LSD. The band’s raw working-class authenticity made them popular with blue-collar rock fans.[8]

Radio & Records and The Hard Report tracked the band's moderate national success. “Whiskey” peaked at #17 on the AOR National Airplay chart,[9] while “The Scar” entered the top 60. Copperhead received regular airplay across numerous stations including KFMX, KRXQ, WROQ, WBAB, WRIF, and WBCN.[10]

Drop from Mercury, disbandment, Live & Lost, new projects (1995–present)

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Despite strong touring and radio performance, the band was dropped by Mercury amid the grunge movement’s dominance and Carswell's personal struggles and deteriorated mental state due to addiction which resulted in him exiting the band in 1995.[11]

In 2002, former singer Neil Carswell obtained permission to release a compilation album titled Live & Lost, that features a collection of live and unreleased Copperhead songs that included eight studio tracks and four live cuts from their 1992 tour.[12] It also featured previously unreleased songs with arrangements by Southern rock producers Tom Dowd and Rodney Mills, back when the two reunited for the recording sessions taken place during the creation of Copperheard's 1992 debut album. The "Live & Lost" album was the band's final release before Carswell's death in 2024.[13]

Following Carswell's departure, members guitarist Jon Byrd and bassist Tony Hawkins recruited a new lead singer, DB Bryant to join the band, however, that project only lasted a very brief spell and by 1996 the band completely disbanded for good.[14] Following the disbandment Bryd and Hawkins went on to form a new band "Hybrid" in 2000, recruiting singer John Culberson, and released a debut album in 2004 before re-branding the band in late 2006, changing the band name to "A Course of Action."[15] In 1997 Eric Suttlemyre joined the band "Elijah Prophet", while Brad Durden later joined former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer's solo band the "Artimus Pyle Band."[16] Neil Carswell launched a solo career in the mid 2000s as a country music artist and released two solo albums, "A Good Man's Journey" (2006) "Keep You Guessing" (2009) before passing away at his home in January 2024 at age 55.[17]

Musical style and influences

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Copperhead's music was described as a fusion of classic Southern rock and gritty hard rock, with spiritual undertones and heartfelt lyrics. Their sound drew comparisons to Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Blackfoot, and The Marshall Tucker Band, while incorporating blues-based slide guitar, Hammond organ, and layered vocal harmonies. Their songs often reflected the rural Southern experience, faith, personal hardship, and blue-collar resilience.[18]

Legacy

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Though their national profile was limited by changing trends in the 1990s, Copperhead is remembered as one of the final torchbearers of traditional Southern rock. Their 1992 debut album has since become a cult classic among southern rock fans. Music publications like Gritz and The Hard Report noted their authenticity and songwriting depth, while retrospective reviews praised Carswell’s vocals and the band's instrumentals. The enduring popularity of "Long Way From Home" from its famous movies features while the band's single "Whiskey" maintains steady airplay on classic rock radio stations.[19][20]

Discography

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Albums

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EPs

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  • “Born Loser” (1993)[23]

Singles

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Other appearances

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Band members

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  • Neil Carswell – lead vocals, guitar (1986–1995; died 2024)[30][17]
  • Jon Byrd – lead guitar, backing vocals (1986–1995)[31]
  • Brad Durden – piano, backing vocals (1986–1995)[32]
  • Tony Hawkins – bass guitar, backing vocals (1986–1995)[33]
  • Eric Suttlemyre – drums, backing vocals (1986–1995)[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Copperhead - Copperhead (1992) - Self-titled debut album - Mercury Records - Release History, Track listing, Credits". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  2. ^ "IMdb: Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man - Soundtrack". IMdb.com. IMdb. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Bands Of Dixie #53 (November - December 2006): Interview with Neil Carswell singer of Copperhead". Sweet Home Music. Luc Brunot. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  4. ^ "North Carolina's Copperhead has signed with Mercury Records and is in the studio with Southern rock veteran producer Tom Dowd for their upcoming debut album" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Copperhead - Copperhead (1992) streaming on Apple Music". Apple Music. Mercury Records. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Music Is Life: Copperhead - Copperhead (1992) Release Details". israbox-music.com. IsraBox Music. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Rough Edge: Copperhead Music Reviews, Soundtrack Placements, Releases". roughedge.com. Snidermann. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Bio: Copperhead (Mercury Records), known as one of the last great Southern rock bands to emerge in the 90's". thejewishnews.com. The Detroit Jewish News. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Mercury Records 'Copperhead' sees chart success with newest single "Whiskey"" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. R & R Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Copperhead's "Whiskey" makes it to AOR radio, so does "Long Way From Home" all over the world, "Whiskey" music video to get airtime on MTV". AirPlay Direct. The Daily Record. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Statement from Jon Byrd: Neil Carswell did leave the band due to personal issues. DB Bryant was his replacement. They were not together long before the project ended. They have never, nor will they ever regroup". Heavy Harmonies. Jon Bryd. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Neill Carswell's Copperhead - LIVE & LOST - Unreleased Song and Live Recordings from 1992 tour". neilcarswell.com/copperhead. Copperhead. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  13. ^ "The last release from Mercury Records 'Copperhead' EVER". Swampland. Jimmy Williams. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Copperhead - The forgotten southern rock band from Morganton, North Carolina with ties to Lynyrd Skynyrd, signed to Mercury Records but split up in 1995". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  15. ^ "A Course of Action is a powerful foursome that brings many years of musicianship founded by former Copperhead bandmates Jon Bryd and Tony Hawkins". North Carolina Music. NC Music. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  16. ^ "About the Artimus Pyle Band". Artimus Pyle Band. Management. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  17. ^ a b "January 2024: Neil Carswell - lead singer of Copperhead passes away from cancer at 55 years old". neilcarswell.com. Neil Carswell Estate.
  18. ^ "Discography - Copperhead: The last Southern rock band". spirit-of-rock.com. Spirit of Rock. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Band Profile: Copperhead (Southern rock band)" (PDF). Copperhead. Band Management. Retrieved 25 February 2006.
  20. ^ "COPPERHEAD (90s Southern Rock Band) - Music Review" (PDF). Gritz – Digital Southern Music Magazine. Jimmy Williams. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
  21. ^ "Copperhead (1992) on Spotify". Spotify. Mercury Records. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Copperhead - Live & Lost (2002)". Spirit of Rock. Spirit-of-Rock. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Song Title - "Born Loser" by Copperhead (1993 CD single)". Heavy Harmonies. Mercury / Polygram. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Copperhead - Busted (CD Single) - Southern Rock - 1992". Discogs.com. PolyGram Records, Inc. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Copperhead sends new single "Whiskey" to AOR Radio". archive.org. Mercury Records. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Copperhead: The Scar -Single (1993)". www.discogs.com. Mercury. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (Soundtrack Album) Release Details - On Allmusic". Allmusic.com. Allmusic Staff. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  28. ^ "IMdb: Dr. Giggles (1992) Soundtrack album". imdb.com. IMdb Staff. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  29. ^ "R&R Magazine - May 14, 1993 Issue: Copperhead single "The Scar" added to AOR Radio charts" (PDF). World Radio History. Radio & Records Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  30. ^ "COPPERHEAD – (Southern Rock Band) Reasons To Buy Their Debut Album From 1992 - Reason: Neil Carswell (vocalist and guitarist) has that classic Southern Rock voice that's just as contagious as his band's instrumentals". Metal Odyssey. Stone. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Copperhead (Southern rock band) band history, lineup, discography, music videos". Spirit-of-Rock.com. Spirit of Rock Staff. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Lynyrd Skynyrd's Artimus Pyle interview discussing bandmates Scott Raines, Jerry Lyda, Dave Fowler and Brad Durden formerly with the southern rock band Copperhead in his band the Artimus Pyle Band". Smashing Interviews Magazine. Marc Parker and Melissa Benefield Parker. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Allmusic Artist Credits: Tony Hawkins of Copperhead, A Course of Action". www.allmusic.com. Allmusic Staff. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Copperhead personnel and album credits". Copperhead. Dirk Peterson. Retrieved 3 May 2003.
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