Hillstomp slide guitarist/vocalist Henry Kammerer said his band's fans always asked him when he and drummer John Johnson would make a live album.
"It was kind of funny," said Kammerer during a phone call from his home in Portland, Ore. "When we made our last two 'studio' albums, we basically set up the microphones and played the songs live. We basically made live albums without the audience.
"So, we decided to see what we could do about recording one of our live shows. We wanted to see what would happen. We set up the microphones and began playing. We recorded two shows — one in Eugene and the other in Portland. It was more of an experiment, really. When we got the recordings back, we listened to them and liked what we heard."
"After Two But Before Five," which is available only at Hillstomp shows and www.CDbaby.com, marks the band's first live album and third album overall.
"Another funny thing about making 'After Two' was not feeling jittery about it," said Kammerer, who is a Cottonwood High School graduate. "I mean, we looked at the whole project as an experiment. If it worked, we'd use the material. If it was bad, we'd trash it.
"I think if we would have gone into the project knowing we were making a live album, I think we would have been nervous about the performances."
The album features the ride-and-slide Hillstomp blues and showcases songs from their other two albums. Also, said Kammerer, "After Two But Before Five" sees some songs the duo has been playing live finally make it to a recording.
"Take a song like 'Mr. Charlie III,"' said Kammerer. "We've been playing that live for a while and now it's on CD."
While "After Two" is fresh in Hillstomp's fans' minds, Kammerer and Johnson are already looking to the future.
"We've got nearly half of the songs from the new studio album done," said Kammerer. "And this winter, I think we're going to hunker down and get back to the rehearsal space and start making a new album. In fact, I'm looking forward to it."
If you go
What: Hillstomp, Utah County Swillers
Where: Burt's Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State Street (21 or older)
When: Wednesday, 10 p.m.
How much: $7
Phone: 521-0572
Web: www.myspace.com/burtstikilounge
E-mail: scott@desnews.com