Copperhead (Southern Rock Band)

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. 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.''

History

Early years (1986–1991)

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.

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)

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. 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.”

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.

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.

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