Intro
“It’s me—take it or leave it. You’re getting all of me: the sappy, the aggressive, and everything in between, ” says rock-country’s hottest independent act, Joe Hermes, who, by the way, is on a roll. His latest single, “A Real Good Bad One,” brings high-energy vocals, gritty guitars, and that unapologetic edge that defines his Illinois-born “gunpowder country” sound. Fresh off his single release and gearing up for a UK tour, Hermes sat down with The Country Note’s Michelle Osterhoudt to talk songwriting, sonic evolution, and why being himself– authentically—is the only rule that matters.
Q: Your new single “A Real Good Bad One” has such a great title. What’s the story behind it, and how does it reflect where you are right now as an artist?
Joe: You know, it’s not all that deep—it’s really just about being out on the town, things getting carried away, and that feeling when you know a real good, bad one is coming on. I’ve had way too many of those nights in my past.
It’s kind of a follow-up to my last single “Honky Tonk Feelin’.” You get that feeling, it’s upbeat and fun, and then—uh oh—you know you’re going to pay for it later. Tomorrow’s gonna suck, but you don’t care in the moment. It’s just a fun, relatable song that lets me lean into the lighter side for a change.
Q: Looking back at your 2023 album Rockin’ a Country Town and the singles since, how has your sound evolved leading into this new release?
Joe: It’s evolved a lot. I don’t know if it’s improved, but it’s definitely evolved! I used to write a lot of deep, heavy stuff—real heart material. We call my sound gunpowder country because it doesn’t quite fit anywhere else.
But lately, we’ve been focused on balance—mixing the heavier storytelling with songs that invite a bigger audience in. Professionally, I’ve grown as a songwriter. Working with great producers and writers has taught me how to say more with fewer words. You don’t have to overexplain emotion—you just have to feel it. That’s been my biggest evolution.
Q: You’ve mentioned your Illinois roots and influences from Metallica to Lynyrd Skynyrd. How do you balance that rugged rock energy with country storytelling?
Joe: Authenticity—that’s the word. I like country, I like rock, I like heavy metal, even a little rap now and then. I’d be doing myself a disservice to put on blinders.
My producer told me early on, “There are no rules.” And that stuck. Look at bands like Sleep Token—they’ll hit heavy metal, rap, smooth jazz, and R&B all in one song. So I just decided to be me. You’re gonna get it all—the sappy side, the aggressive side, the high-in-the-sky side. That’s who I am.
Q: What do you hope your audience experiences when they see you live?
Joe: I want them to go for a ride. We start fun, end powerful, and hit everything in between. If people are having a blast and I’ve made a few cry, I’ve done my job.
Music has always been cathartic for me. As a kid, it made me feel less alone. Now I want to do that for others. There’s plenty of music out there, but my blend of country and rock comes from real life. And yeah, I can party too—so songs like “A Real Good Bad One” remind everyone we can have fun along the way.
Q: You’re about to head overseas—tell us about the UK tour!
Joe: Yeah, we just wrapped a Finland run and we’re heading to the UK for most of November. I’ve never been there before, so I’m equal parts excited and nervous as a tick!
It’s a lot—venue logistics, time zone calls, equipment, budgets—you name it. But it’s an incredible feeling to know this music is taking me across the world. I wake up to messages from my UK team every morning, and it’s just like… what did I get myself into? But in the best possible way.
“It’s like riding the lightning—it’s moving a thousand miles an hour, and I’m just trying to keep my head together.”
Fast Five with Joe Hermes
First concert: Ozzy Osbourne
Song you could play forever: “Master of Puppets”
Favorite non-music hobby: Playing Fortnite with my son–so sweet!
Dream collaboration (dead or alive): Toby Keith
Go-to pre-show ritual: “Warm up, protect the voice, and get my head right—this interview might be part of the new routine!”
Closing Thoughts
Hermes may call his sound gunpowder country, but it’s his raw honesty and fearless blend of influences that make him explosive. With “A Real Good Bad One” out now and his UK tour on the horizon, he’s proving that authenticity—loud, gritty, and real—never goes out of style.
“The minute you realize it’s not about pleasing somebody else and just being true to yourself—that’s when it all clicks.”
For more information on Joe Hermes, visit his website www.joehermesmusic.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.