House of Freaks was a two-man band formed in Richmond, Virginia in the mid … Read Full Bio ↴House of Freaks was a two-man band formed in Richmond, Virginia in the mid 1980s. Bryan Harvey played guitar and sang, and Johnny Hott played percussion. The band managed to achieve a remarkably full sound, mostly because of Hott's inventive drumming and Harvey's confident vocals and knack of playing bass lines on his guitar (cribbed from his many years as a bass player) while simultaneously playing a melody.

The Freaks' sound was a combination of folk and rock, and drew heavily from the blues and primitive Americana music. Their lyrics focused on race, religion, and life in the South, although Harvey was also adept at writing about more personal topics (the lack of success of independent bands, his sex life) using rich metaphors from these former topics, so that many of their songs could be interpreted in two entirely different ways. Bryan's obsession with southern gothic issues influenced his song writing. These sentiments can be heard in such songs as "White Folk's Blood", "Family Tree" and "Big Houses" from the album "Tantilla".

Harvey and Hott moved to Los Angeles for the release of the band's first album, Monkey on a Chain Gang, which received considerable critical acclaim. However, unsatisfied with life in L.A., they moved back east, where they recorded their subsequent albums and faded from the public spotlight. Fans of the band universally consider Cakewalk and Tantilla to be the Freaks's best work.

On March 13, 1988, House of Freaks performed at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California with The 77s and The Alarm. Audience members included Neil Young.

After the band's breakup, Harvey and Hott joined a Paisley Underground supergroup called Gutterball, headed by Steve Wynn, formerly of Dream Syndicate and also featuring Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Bob Rupe of The Silos. The group released two albums, Gutterball (1993) and Weasel (1995). Harvey co-wrote many songs on each.

Hott later joined the band Cracker. Harvey has guested on a number of other artists' albums, including September 67's Lucky Shoe, two albums by Shannon Worrell (formerly of September 67), and Magnet's Shark Bait. Both Harvey and Hott assisted Mark Linkous on the debut Sparklehorse record. Bryan Harvey played in a funk band, NRG Krysys, in Richmond, Virginia with Coby Batty of The Fugs. Johnny Hott has a jazz combo with Stephen McCarthy.

On January 1st, 2006, Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn, and their daughters Stella and Ruby were found murdered in the basement of their Richmond home.

Long Black Train
House of Freaks Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Long Black Train' by these artists:

Allison Moorer I've been walking these mean streets Hard concrete beneath m…
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press There's a long black train comin' down the line, F…
Carolina Story Where does the strong man hide When he doesn't have the…
Christy McDonald There's a long black train Coming down the line Feeding off …
Conway Twitty Look a yonder coming Coming down that railroad track I said,…
Janis Joplin Here comes a long black train, Lord, Right by my back…
Josh Turner There's a long black train coming down the line Feeding off…
Josh Turner and Randy Travis There's a long black train Coming down the line Feeding off …
Lee Hazlewood Back when I was ten Jim was my best friend We'd…

Lonnie Johnson Here comes that long black train, stoppin' at my door…
Moorer Allison I've been walking these mean streets Hard concrete beneath …
Rī Wolf Oh death comes for us all Take me in winter lord I…
Richard Hawley When the nightingale sings in the deep of the night…
Top Country All-Stars Sparked dynanite Loaded with your love Save'n lives One by o…
Turner Josh There's a long black train Coming down the line Feeding off …
Various Artists Here's a long black train coming down the line Feeding off…

We have lyrics for these tracks by House of Freaks:

40 Years So this is what you've left us A cowboy with a…
A Good Man If you want someone Someone to raise you Someone to breathe …
Birds of Prey At the crack of dawn I heard the rooster crow Packed my…
Family Tree The wind is rising outside, the house is a trembling The…
Honor Among Lovers You know what I'm thinking Well I don't know what I'm…
I Confess Here I sit In a crowded room Selling you a lie In…
I Got Happy I use to have so many questions I use to want…
I Want Answers Cripple man walks, and leper is a beauty when they say…
King of Kings Blow your whistle Drive your engine Sail me down the rivers …
Magpie Wing Found the magpie wing Found the magpie wing Found the magpie…
My House Nows there just a shadow Where your love long ago Stood ther…
Never From my window I thought I saw you walking by By my…
Remember Me Well When I lay down my head Bound for heaven or hell After…
Rocking Chair I don't want you to go, won't go away myself They…
Sun Gone Down A house up on the hillside, a hell hound in…
The Righteous Will Fall I wrote the writing on the wall I wrote the book…
This Is It This is it Riding in my car Walkin down the street Smoking t…
When the Hammer Came Down My eyes are wide open My head hangin down I was…

White Folk's Blood What mysteries flow through these white folk's blood? What s…

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