In 2020, Covid did a number on the band as Gordon White moved to Japan, and Flores left the band to take care of his ailing father, just as “Electric Medicine” finished production and was released in 2021. Konkel played on with different drummers and bass players until settling with the current line up of Dwayne Jones on drums (Sourvein/Order of the Owl/Royal Thunder) and Jerimy McNeil on bass (Dayglo Mourning/Decibel Guitar Company).
HOT RAM has played shows with The Maryland Doom Fest 22 & 23, Snowblind Fest, Crowbar, Slomosa, Conan, Black Tusk, Howling Giant, and Heavy Temple while simultaneously working on a new album. Konkel was dealing with some personal issues during this time, with the loss of his grandmother in 2021 followed soon afterwards by his mother’s diagnosis of cancer and eventual passing, making 2021 through 2024 difficult but fruitful years.
Billy Konkel and HOT RAM powered through all life’s obstacles and delivered 2026’s new E.P. “Near Fall”, (self-released on their home imprint Second Down Records) The album’s title was inspired by watching copious amounts of pro wrestling with his wrestling obsessed wife. “Near Fall” epitomizes and accurately describes the last few years that Konkel and HOT RAM were pinned to the mat for a 2 count (a “Near Fall”) and always getting back up to live another day….
“Near Fall” began recording in 2022, tracking drums at Leadbelly Studios and the rest of the album was recorded and mixed by Konkel at “Dark Overlord Studio” an over 100 year old warehouse/punk house.
The opener “Vimana Swamp” is an about an ancient spaceship that crashed into a southern
swamp and hidden in obscurity waiting for a return trip home.
swamp and hidden in obscurity waiting for a return trip home.
“Black Weed” Is about the smoking of the green: getting high and then Netflix and chilling with Lucifer himself from these self proclaimed “ High Priests of Dank Majik”.
Lastly “Ironbound” lays up huge slabs of riffage —enough to tranquilize an elephant, lyrically forged with the hammer and brimstone of the Crusades.
HOT RAM’s “Near Fall” E.P. is for anyone that’s been on the ropes with little hope, but digs deep and finds the passion for dusting yourself off and not giving up!
February 2026 is the 10th anniversary of HOT RAM, and they look for it to be their brightest and loudest year yet. They start off the New Year opening for “High on Fire” in January, following it up with a couple of still un-announced festival dates this spring and summer to build some tour runs around what is expected to be a busy year.
FFO: Melvins, High on Fire, Clutch, Black Sabbath, Acid King
Near Fall Credits:
FFO: Melvins, High on Fire, Clutch, Black Sabbath, Acid King
Near Fall Credits:
Billy Konkel Guitar/Vocals
Brian Ricks Drums
Jerimy McNeil Bass (Black Weed/Ironbound)
Dan Giampietro Bass (Vimana Swamp)
Drums recorded @ Leadbelly Studio-Matt Washburn
Guitars/Bass/Vocals/Mixed @ Dark Overlord Studio-Billy Konkel
Mastered @ Sound Artillery Studio-Jonathan Nunez (Torche)
HOT RAM 2026:
Brian Ricks Drums
Jerimy McNeil Bass (Black Weed/Ironbound)
Dan Giampietro Bass (Vimana Swamp)
Drums recorded @ Leadbelly Studio-Matt Washburn
Guitars/Bass/Vocals/Mixed @ Dark Overlord Studio-Billy Konkel
Mastered @ Sound Artillery Studio-Jonathan Nunez (Torche)
HOT RAM 2026:
Billy Konkel - Guitar/Vocals
Jerimy McNeil - Bass
Dwayne Jones - Drums
Jerimy McNeil - Bass
Dwayne Jones - Drums
Links
Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for all of the details.
Near Fall is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from January 30th 2026.
