Jim "The Reverend" Heath says he discovered the electric guitar at a family reunion.
"I was influenced musically by my parents and extended family — cousins, aunts and uncles," Heath said during a telephone interview from Lubbock, Texas. "I saw everyone playing different instruments, like banjos and guitars. And then I saw my cousins playing this electric guitar. And that was it for me."
Heath's band — The Reverend Horton Heat, featuring upright bassist Jimbo Wallace and drummer Scott Churilla — will make a stop in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
The group is on tour in support of its seventh studio album, fittingly titled "Lucky 7." When writing material for this album, or any other RHH album for that matter, Heath — who writes all the lyrics — tries to do new things, while keeping within the traditional "psycho-billy" style.
"We approach each song differently," Heath said. "We throw different things in the sessions and follow the music's twists and turns. Then we box it all together, making sure we are true to the focus and style that our fans know.
"If we changed our style too much, it wouldn't be us."
In the studio, Heath works on making the songs come alive with musical descriptions. "We would be playing, and then I'd tell the band to stop and tell them we needed a music chord that sounded like 'soup from a can.' Then we'd go on, after we took a rest from laughing so hard. But coloring the songs with music is one of the things I love."
Heath's musical influences range from B.B. King to Ernest Tubb. "I love the blues. When I was younger, I got into the Chess Records stuff, which eventually led me to the Mississippi Delta Blues, which led me into the '50s style."
Heath eventually joined a band but was kicked out. "I didn't know how to play very well," he said with a laugh. "But then I practiced, and practiced some more and got better."
In 1991, The Reverend Horton Heat released the independent album "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em," followed by the 1993 release "The Full-Custom Gospel Sounds of the Reverent Horton Heat."
By 1994, the band had signed with Interscope Records and unleashed "Liquor in the Front," produced by Ministry's Al Jourgensen. In two-year intervals, the band recorded "It's Martini Time" and "Space Heater," the latter produced by Ed Stasium. The compilation "Holy Roller" popped up in 1999, giving way to 2000's "Spend a Night in the Box."
For "Lucky 7," Stasium once more helmed the production board. "He's a blast to work with," Heath said. "He's funny and he's got a great ear."
Currently, Heath said the Reverend Horton Heat is looking to release a DVD and a live CD. "That's something we've been wanting to do for a long time."
Still, the band's first love is playing shows — an average of 150 each year. "We love playing music live," Heath said. "And that's what this is all about."
Thursday show
What: The Reverend Horton Heat and Unknown Hinson
Where: Xscape, 115 S. West Temple
When: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 13
How much: $12.50
Web: www.smithstix.com or www.reverendhortonheat.com
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com