HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Folklore & Superstition – Black Stone Cherry

BLACK STONE CHERRY are one of those truly unique rock bands. Coming from humble, hardworking origins in the sleepy rural town of Edmonton, Kentucky, the band formed on 4th June 2001. Brought together by their deep love and passion for music, the quartet of Chris Roberston (vocals, guitar), Ben Wells (guitar, backing vocals), Steve Jewell Jr. (bass, backing vocals) and John Fred Young (drums, backing vocals) have won the hearts with their eclectic, soulful and earthy rock n’roll for the last twenty-two years. 

BLACK STONE CHERRY announced themselves on the global scene with a thunderous, self-titled debut album. With their leading single Lonely Train becoming the official theme song for WWE’s The Great American Bash (2006) and was later featured in the wrestling video game WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007. For many this would be the first exposure to BLACK STONE CHERRY and their unique, distinctive brand of earthy, soulful rock n’ roll. 

However, it wasn’t until 2008 that the band really started to make a mark on the rock world. With the original line-up of Roberston, Wells, Young and original, founding bassist Jon Lawhon, their sophomore album Folklore & Superstition was released on 18th August 2008 and on the week beginning the 24th August, the album reached the number one position in the UK Rock Album Chart in its debut week and number 23 on the main Top 200 UK Albums Chart. It was during this album cycle (2008-2010) that the band toured with the likes of DEF LEPPARD, WHITESNAKE and NICKELBACK, as well as making their first appearance at Download Festival. 

With all this additional exposure to European audiences, Folklore & Superstition marked a turning point for the Kentucky quartet. Whilst the album used a similar formula to the band’s 2006 self titled debut, it was noted for its use of storytelling; songs such as Reverend Wrinkle, Devil’s Queen and Ghost Of Floyd Collins being key examples. Leading single Blind Man would also receive significant play time on UK music channels, mainly Scuzz and Kerrang! and (at the time of writing) has racked up 5.9 million views on YouTube. 

Folklore & Superstition was the first real demonstration of the eclectic influences that the band pulled on. With well written songs and the input of record producer Bob Marlette (who has worked with the likes of BLACK SABBATH, SHINEDOWN, AIRBOURNE and LYNYRD SKYNYRD to name a few), BLACK STONE CHERRY really began to refine their unique sound and applied style a production that really suited the songs. It could be argued with Marlette’s experience working with the band’s contemporaries and influences, he was able to produce an album that would put BLACK STONE CHERRY on the map. 

At this point in their career, BLACK STONE CHERRY were already beginning to amass a loyal, hardcore and passionate following. The collaboration with Marlette would be a masterstroke. Receiving modest reviews across the board, and notable ratings from Metal Hammer (8/10 stars) and Kerrang! (3/5 Ks), from a media point of view they were starting to wake up to BLACK STONE CHERRY. 

The band are known for their energetic live performances and from day one they have been a live band. So, during this period BLACK STONE CHERRY toured seemingly continuously with SEVENDUST, ALTER BRIDGE, the aforementioned DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE alongside a string of festivals including Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring, Graspop, Hellfest, Download and Sweden Rock. With all this touring, it gave the band ample opportunity to expose fans old and new to the songs off of Folklore & Superstition. 

With that in mind, BLACK STONE CHERRY have always been a band with an familial relationship to its fans and in the subsequent tours which followed the album’s release, the venues got bigger with the band heading venues such as the Bristol O2 Academy, Oxford O2 Academy and the Manchester Apollo as early as 2009. BLACK STONE CHERRY were gathering significant momentum off the bak of their sophomore album, especially in the UK. Something that would later lead to the band headlining Wembley for the first time in 2014. 

However, it could be argued that the real impact of Folklore & Superstition can’t be seen until the band’s third album 2011s Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea which shot straight to number 1 of UK Rock Album Chart and 13 on the UK Albums chart. Arguably Folklore & Superstition’s predecessor was tailored more for radio play but compared to its meagre placement at 29 on the US Billboard 200, BLACK STONE CHERRY really began to find their home in the UK and Europe. This album would carry on some of the storytelling from Folklore & Superstition but it wouldn’t be to the same depth. 

Ultimately Folklore & Superstition is a significant album for many reasons, it is an album that really woke up listeners across the pond and shone a spotlight on the band as a whole. Bearing in mind that the band members wouldn’t have been much older than 23 at the time, the album should go down as a significant achievement for a band so young. Especially when you think of the heavyweight names that they had the opportunity to tour with. For many fans, the songs on this album were their gateway to BLACK STONE CHERRY and many have been supporting them passionately ever since, which is a testament to the band’s accessibility and down to earth vibe. 

Folklore & Superstition was originally released on August 18 2008 via Roadrunner Records.

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