Under The Fretboard: 7Horse
Welcome to the second installment of Under The Fretboard, where we aim to bring exposure to lesser-known but deserving artists. Some may not be blues rock purists like our debut feature, The Blue Stones, who still have the genre deeply woven into their sound. Others live entirely within the blues rock world but haven’t yet received the spotlight. This installment definitely falls into the latter category. We hope you enjoy this sophomore edition of Under The Fretboard.
7Horse: A Creative Side Project with Blues Rock Swagger, Humor, and Grit
Formed in 2011 as a creative offshoot of the ‘90s rock band dada, 7Horse consists of drummer/vocalist Phil Leavitt and guitarist/bassist Joie Calio. It all started when dada guitarist Michael Gurley couldn’t make a studio session, and engineer Scott Gordon suggested that Phil and Joie come in to see what might happen. The first song they recorded was “Meth Lab Zoso Sticker,” and just like that, 7Horse was born. While Calio and Leavitt still record and tour with dada, 7Horse gave them the space to explore something bluesier, darker, leaner, and meaner. Self-described as “postpunk dystopian blues,” their sound is cinematic, pulpy, and sometimes apocalyptic, think The Black Keys after too many sleepless nights in Vegas.
I first heard “Meth Lab Zoso Sticker” by accident, and it stopped me cold. The dirty slide guitar, stripped-back percussion, and snarling vocals oozed danger and authenticity, with a fun, playful tone. The song exploded after being featured in The Wolf of Wall Street’s trailer and soundtrack. It remains their best-known track, with nearly 4 million YouTube views and millions of streams across platforms. It became the centerpiece of their debut album, Let the 7Horse Run, which laid their foundation with gritty standouts like “Low Fuel Drug Run,” the title track, and the introspective “Mind of My Own.” A personal favorite, “BlackJack Moon,” gained further attention after landing in a Jeep Wrangler commercial. Other highlights include the heart-pumping “Most of That Is You and Me” and the dark, spooky lullaby “Goodnight Sweet Dream.”
Inspired by an actual Voodoo wedding they attended, 2014’s Songs for a Voodoo Wedding doubled down on raw retro blues rock, spiced with comedic lyrics and a touch of Americana. “Carousel Bar,” “Long Way,” “Please Come on Home,” and “Before the Flood” take you back to a time when classic rock ruled the airwaves. “On the 4th of July” should be a holiday staple for pre-fireworks fun. Humorous tracks like “Flyin’ High (With No I.D.)” and “A Friend in Weed” show off their goofy, wilder side.
Livin’ in a Bitch of a World, released in 2016, continued their stripped-down, gritty sound with true-to-life songs exploring themes of guns, decay, and survival in a down-and-out America. Their cover of “Stayin’ Alive” may blend lyrics and mood even better than the disco original. The title track, along with “Answer the Bell,” reinforces the survival themes. “Two-Stroke Machine” and “400 Miles from Flagstaff” resonate with real-life experience, and “Stick to the Myth” is a slow, dark tale of painful truth.
Their fourth album, Superfecta, arrived in late 2018 with the same blues rock edge, though it wasn’t as raw as its predecessors. This time the band enlisted Grammy-winning mixer/producer Dave Way (Ben Folds, Jakob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Pink). The opening track, “VictorioUS,” is a made-for-stadium anthem that seems destined for sports broadcasting. “What Kind of Man” marks a sonic departure and sounds ready-made for a western-themed film. “Broken Strings,” featuring Calio on vocals, might be the closest thing to a ballad in their catalog, while “Kicked in the Door” slows the pace from their usual frenzy. “All My Friends (Hate Me in the End)” is a fast-paced rocker reminiscent of a ‘60s go-go tune, and “Burn” is another personal favorite worth mentioning.
Their most recent full-length album, 2022’s The Last Resort, doesn’t stray far from their signature sound but received mixed reviews. The band dabbled in Latin and Italian influences with tracks like “Hey Vámonos,” a cool, fun, trippy tune, and “Non Sono Un Ragazzo,” a catchy pop-driven track about the band’s origins. However, songs like “Try to Forget It,” “Triumph of Seattle,” and “My Brain is Dumb” are much closer to classic 7Horse. Personal favorites include the catchy “Hippies on Acid” and “The Record Collector,” while “Walking Free” intoxicates with slide-infused storytelling.
7Horse has also released several non-album singles: “King Bee” (2021), and “3:00 AM,” “W.I.N.E.,” “Me and My Buddy,” and “We Got the Stones” (all in 2020) are all worth a listen. I had the pleasure of seeing them live in Denver on July 13, the second stop of their Double Summertime Tour. The show was just as raw as their early recordings. I loved seeing their noir-rock energy come alive. Every twisted riff, stomped snare, and desperate lyric oozed blues rock. If you’re drawn to dirty slide guitar, outlaw attitude, and a musical vibe that feels like it should blast from a busted jukebox in a desert bar, give 7Horse a shot.