Cult Heavy Blues Rockers HERMANO (with ex-Kyuss John Garcia) to issue Hellfest live album on Ripple Music this February 6th 2026

California's heavy blues titans HERMANO (fronted by iconic Kyuss vocalist John Garcia) announce their new live album "Clisson, France" this February 6th on Ripple Music and present a first video with the roaring single "Left Side Bleeding". The announcement comes with news of a European spring tour, including festival appearances.

About the upcoming Hellfest 2016 live album, guitarist Dave Angstrom enthuses: “We were honored to be invited to perform at Hellfest 2016. It had been several years since we all had been in the same room, let alone had the chance to jam together—and it was an incredible experience. Being with my closest friends in France, connecting with the amazing audience, and having the opportunity to spend time with my family while experiencing the magic of Hellfest is a memory I will always cherish. Capturing that first Hellfest experience for Hermano on vinyl is special, serving as a reminder of the strong bond, love, and friendship I share with John, Chris, Mike, and Dandy. I’m a lucky man. We are so appreciative of Todd Severin and the Ripple Music family for getting this out. We hope everyone enjoys what we created that memorable evening as much as we enjoyed being there together.”
 

Watch Hermano perform Left Side Bleeding at Hellfest 2016 + listen to the live track on all streaming platforms

Recording albums and touring when they wanted to since their formation nearly three decades ago, Hermano has always consistently refused to operate on anyone’s schedule other than their own. Lured by the repeated calls of their devoted fans, though, the band first reunited for a stirring performance at Hellfest in Clisson, France, in the summer of 2016. Eight years removed from their last live performance, they arrived in Clisson with time to rehearse through their material for a couple of hours before taking the stage. In what has been hailed as the most thrilling set of the 2016 edition of Hellfest, that evening the audience witnessed a band hitting on all cylinders, a performance so energetic and seamless that those in attendance were in awe that the band had not performed together since 2008.

Captured on both audio and video, "Clisson, France" promises to be one of the most magical and significant live releases of 2026. It will be issued on limited LP edition, CD, and digital format on February 6 through Ripple Music, as well as on DVD through the band's channels.

Not ready to stop there, encouraged by the fervor of fans across the globe, Hermano has booked their first extensive tour in over a decade for the spring of 2026. For both old and new fans of the band, these shows will offer a rare and unique opportunity to experience one of the most influential and thrilling groups in the heavy blues genre.

Hermano European tour 2026 (tickets via links)

May 7 - Paris (FR) La Maroquinerie
May 8 - Utrecht (NL) Tivoli Vredenburg
May 9 - Cologne (DE) Luxor
May 11 - Vienna (AT) Arena
May 12 - Munich (DE) Backstage Halle
May 14 - Berlin (DE) Desertfest Berlin
May 15 - London (UK) Desertfest London
May 16 - Nijmegen (NL) Sonic Whip
May 17 - Brussels (BE) Obsidian Dust

HERMANO "Clisson, France" live album - Out February 6th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)
Preorder the album

TRACKLIST:

1. Left Side Bleeding
2. The Bottle
3. Cowboys Suck
4. 5 to 5
5. My Boy
6. Is This Ok
7. Alone Jeffe
8. Kentucky
9. Manager's Special
10. Angry American
11. Love
12. Señor Moreno's Plan

The story begins twenty-eight years ago in a second-floor apartment in Covington, Kentucky. The details are of a band that never was... Some already know the story. They remember the first time they heard about Hermano, the whispers of a super-group that had tracked an album backed by Frank Kozik and set to be released on Man’s Ruin Records. When Kozik’s label closed shop before the album could be released, those who knew of the project waited through nearly four years of hurdles and contractual obligations to be cleared before they could hear an album that not only lived up to its promise but also established itself as one of the most influential heavy blues (aka stoner rock) collections ever recorded.

Hermano first formed when David Angstrom (Supafuzz), Steve Earle (Afghan Whigs), Mike Callahan (Disengage), and John Garcia (Kyuss) agreed to lend their talents to the session that Dandy Brown had scheduled for December 1998. Coming together for the first time in Cincinnati, the initial riffs that Brown had constructed were arranged by the newly formed group and would become the foundation for the band’s debut album, Only a Suggestion.

Over the next decade, Hermano would go on to release three studio albums (Only a Suggestion, Dare I Say and Into the Exam Room) and a live record (Live at W2) showcasing the force the band had become in the heavy blues market. Embarking on a series of now-legendary sold-out live performances in the United States and Europe, Hermano continued to grow a legion of dedicated fans and critical acclaim. Following the European tour in support of their debut album, Steve Earle’s departure to pursue his solo project opened the door for veteran drummer Chris Leathers (Supafuzz) to step in during the band’s performance at FestiMad in 2004. Performing on the next two studio albums and their live release, Leathers' addition to the group cemented another chapter in the friendships established during the band's formation six years earlier.

With wind in their sails after their iconic 2016 Hellfest performance, and with the acquisition of full ownership of their entire catalogue, Hermano committed to sonically updating their albums through remixing, remastering, and reissuing their three studio albums and live material with San Francisco-based Ripple Music. The first in the series of reissues, Only a Suggestion, was made public in the fall of 2023, drawing tremendous reviews for the band’s updated blues rock masterpiece and giving their devoted fans a delicious first taste of what is to come over the next few years.

Seizing the energy of finally having an open window of opportunity, Hermano issued their first new material in over fifteen years with the release of When the Moon Was High in 2024. Featuring previously unreleased material from their Only a Suggestion sessions, live tracks, and the new single "Breathe", the band stepped back into the fray with overwhelmingly positive reviews, culminating with their stellar headline performance at the 2025 edition of Hellfest.

HERMANO line-up:

John Garcia – vocals
Dandy Brown – bass
Mike Callahan – guitar
David Angstrom – guitar
Chris Leathers – drums

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Hermano - When The Moon Was High (Album Review)

Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

When The Moon Was High - Track Listing:

1.Breathe 03:31

2.Never Boulevard 04:11

3.Brother Bjork (Live @W2) 06:57

4.Senor Moreno's Plan (Live @Hellfest) 04:06

5.Love (Live @Hellfest) 04:23

6.Manager's Special (Live @Hellfest) 03:39

Members

John Garcia – vocals

David Angstrom – guitar

Mike Callahan – guitar

Dandy Brown – bass

Chris Leathers – drums

Review

When The Moon Was High is the new album from Stoner Rock legends Hermano and whilst it only features two new tracks with Breathe and Never Boulevard being the first new music from the band in over fifteen years and the rest being live versions of already established Hermano classics. This is still time to celebrate by hearing sublime new tracks from one of the most unsung bands of the Stoner Rock scene.

Breathe is classic Hermano through and through with its subtle style of Desert Rock, Blues Rock and Stoner Rock with the classic vocals of John Garcia leading the creative charge. This instrumental sound is quite refreshing to hear and has an organic quality that only certain bands of the Stoner Rock movement can conjure with perhaps FU MANCHU and Monster Magnet being the other bands in the same class of Hermano. The music has a modern day sound which has an eerie resemblance to John’s recent solo work but with a more urgent swagger or drive to Hermano’s overall sound.

Second track Never Boulevard was originally conceived back in 1998 but was never released until now. This is Hermano in a reflective mood with the melodies being slightly Soft Rock, Country based and a subtle semi-acoustic style. The biggest factor is John’s laid back and emotionally charged vocals. Though, David, Mike, Dandy and Chris provide a deeply engaging performance which can be considered an Ambient style of music which is quite refreshing to hear from Hermano. The sound has a classic forgotten style of music that breathes 1990’s Desert/Stoner Rock attitude which is deeply reminiscent when the Stoner scene was perhaps near the end of it’s creative mainstream peak before returning to the fringes of Rock and Roll.

The four other tracks are from Hermano’s live performances from their 2016 critically acclaimed reunion tour with W2 and Hellfest being selected. As the band perform classic tracks such as Brother Bjork, Senor Moreno’s Plan, Love and Manager’s Special. It’s great to hear live renditions of these great tracks. Each track sees Hermano play with a commanding Blues Rock presence before the Stoner Rock attitude allows the band to delve into their heavy trademark sound with John’s vocals still having a thrilling and commanding presence after 3 decades performing within the entire scene.

The standout tracks from this section of the album are Brother Bjork and Love as these are my two of my all-time favourite tracks from the band. 

Hermano have aligned themselves with legendary underground rock label Ripple Music for When The Moon Was High and with the promise of further reissues and special editions in the future then we may hopefully end up with more new music in the future. However, it’s great to see Hermano back in the Stoner Rock limelight with a highly energetic and spellbinding record. 

When The Moon Was High is a must have record for all fans and dedicated followers of the Desert/Stoner Rock movement.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

When The Moon Was High is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Stoner Rock Legends HERMANO New Album WHEN THE MOON WAS HIGH

Stoner Rock Legends HERMANO return with their new album - when the moon was high - ahead of it's official release on Friday 04th October 2024 via the legendary record label - Ripple Music. 

"when the moon was high..." sees the Californian powerhouse formed by John Garcia (Kyuss) on vocals, bassist Dandy Brown, guitarists Mike Callahan (Disengage) and David Angstrom (Supafuzz), and drummer Chris Leathers (Supafuzz) taking back claim to the territory they had charted three decades ago. It features the first new music released by the band since 2007's "...Into The Exam Room", with two new studio tracks and four live songs including a never-released track, showcasing the sticky-sweet and heavy blues riffs and tones that are unique to the veteran quintet. A must-have for any stoner and desert rock fan!

We're beyond excited and happy to premiere the new album in full with this exclusive premiere thanks to the cool folks over at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music.

Ripple Music · Hermano - When the Moon Was High

The Lowdown

Taking back claim to the territory they had charted years ago, Breathe, the upcoming limited-edition release from Hermano, features the first new music released by the band in fifteen years.

While the band had continued to write and perform on each other’s individual projects during the last decade and a half, Breathe showcases the sticky-sweet and heavy blues riffs and tones that are unique to these five musicians when they come together under the Hermano banner.

The title track, Breathe, travels back to the band’s first release, filled with the same swagger and heavy hand as the band’s initial offerings, reinforcing the impact the band has had upon modern heavy rock, stoner rock, and driving blues genres.

Written for the first Hermano sessions, Never Boulevard was tracked during the last few hours while recording in Cincinnati during the winter of 1998. Rediscovered while organizing the master tapes for the Ripple catalog reissues and utilizing the original core tracks, the band has finally brought the song to completion twenty-six years later.

Rounding out the limited-edition are four never-before-heard live tracks that again underline the unique place in heavy blues music Hermano occupies. Brother Bjork serves as more evidence to the band’s stellar performance at the Willem Twee Poppodium in 2004, a show that continues to be hailed as one of the finest the venue has ever hosted.

Taken from the last time the group came together to perform, Senor Moreno’s Plan, Love, and Manager’s Special all give a special glimpse into their lauded reunion at Hellfest in 2016. After eight years of not performing together, John, Dave, Mike, Chris and Dandy arrived a couple of days before the festival, rehearsed for a few hours, and came with a head of steam that left those who witnessed the event both touched and amazed. Breathe not only features a small sliver of that legendary performance, but also introduces the only existing audio recording of the band’s song Love.

“We are so incredibly thankful to be able to bring new music to both new fans and those who have followed Hermano for the last twenty-six years. We are looking eagerly forward to continuing this reissues and special editions journey with Ripple . . . so hang onto your hats because we have a lot more coming and a long way to go. Breathing new life into our catalog and having the opportunity to release special collections like Breathe, well, it is an especially 'dream-come-true' time for all of us. For that, and to all who have continued to stay interested, thank you.”  - John, Dave, Mike, Chris, and Dandy 

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

when the moon was high will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Friday 04th October 2024

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Cult US stoner rock band HERMANO (with John Garcia) to release new record "when the moon was high..." on Ripple Music; stream new track "Breathe"!

Cult Californian stoner rock band HERMANO (fronted by Kyuss vocalist John Garcia) announce the release of their new collection entitled "when the moon was high..." on Ripple Music this October 4th, featuring their first new music in fifteen years. Stream their brand new song "Breathe" on all streaming platforms now!

New album "when the moon was high..." brings the moons of HERMANO back into alignment. As they embarked on the remix/remaster/reissue of their entire back catalog on Ripple Music, a new song emerged: "Breathe". During this process, the band uncovered some valuable material while revisiting tapes, drives, and cherished memories accumulated over their 26 years of friendship. Taking back claim to the territory they had charted years ago, the upcoming limited-edition release of "when the moon was high..." features the first new music released by the band in fifteen years.

While the band had continued to write and perform on each other’s projects during the last decade and a half, "when the moon was high..." showcases the sticky-sweet and heavy blues riffs and tones that are unique to these five musicians when they come together under the HERMANO banner. The new single "Breathe" was recorded in 2023 and travels back to the band’s first release, filled with the same swagger and heavy hand as the band’s initial offerings, reinforcing the band's undeniable impact upon modern heavy rock, stoner rock, and driving blues genres.

 Watch Hermano's new video for "Breathe" + listen to the single on all streaming services

Written for the first HERMANO sessions, the album's second track "Never Boulevard" was tracked during the last few hours while recording in Cincinnati during the winter of 1998. Rediscovered while organizing the master tapes for the Ripple Music reissues and utilizing the original core tracks, the band has finally brought the song to completion twenty-six years later.

Rounding out the limited-edition are four never-before-heard live tracks that again underline the unique place in heavy blues music HERMANO occupies. "Brother Bjork" serves as more evidence to the band’s stellar performance at the Willem Twee Poppodium in 2004, a show that continues to be hailed as one of the finest the venue has ever hosted. Taken from the last time the group came together to perform, "Senor Moreno’s Plan", "Love", and "Manager’s Special" all give a special glimpse into their lauded reunion at Hellfest in 2016. After eight years of not performing together, John, Dave, Mike, Chris and Dandy arrived a couple of days before the festival, rehearsed for a few hours, and came with a head of steam that left those who witnessed the event both touched and amazed. "when the moon was high..." not only features a small sliver of that legendary performance, but also introduces the only existing audio recording of the band’s song Love.

“We are so incredibly thankful to be able to bring new music to both new fans and those who have followed Hermano for the last twenty-six years. We are eagerly looking forward to continuing this reissues and special editions journey with Ripple Music, so hang onto your hats because we have a lot more coming and a long way to go. Breathing new life into our catalog and having the opportunity to release special new music like "Breathe" is an especially 'dream-come-true' time for all of us. For that, and to all who have continued to stay interested, thank you.” - John, Dave, Mike, Chris and Dandy


HERMANO "when the moon was high..." - Out October 4th on Ripple Music (limited LP/CD/digital)
Preorder available now

TRACKLIST:

1. Breathe
2. Never Boulevard
3. Brother Bjork (live at W2)
4. Senor Moreno’s Plan (live at Hellfest)
5. Love (live at Hellfest)
6. Manager’s Special (live at Hellfest)

The story begins twenty-four years ago in a second-floor apartment located in Covington, Kentucky. The details are of a band that never was... There are those who already know the story. They remember the first time they heard about HERMANO, the whispers of a super-group that had tracked an album backed by Frank Kozik and set to be released on Man’s Ruin Records. When Kozik’s label closed shop before the album could be released, those who knew of the project waited through nearly four years of hurdles and contractual obligations to be cleared before they could hear an album that not only lived up to its promise but also established itself as one of the most influential heavy blues (aka stoner rock) collections ever recorded.

The legend of HERMANO is well documented, found in publications far too many to count when the group was most active a decade and a half ago. To summarize those accounts, Hermano first formed when David Angstrom (Supafuzz), Steve Earle (Afghan Whigs), Mike Callahan (Disengage), and John Garcia (Kyuss) agreed to lend their talents to the session's producer Dandy Brown had scheduled for December of 1998. Coming together for the first time in Cincinnati, the initial riffs that Brown had constructed were arranged by the newly formed group and would become the foundation for the band’s debut album "Only a Suggestion". It is also well documented that before entering Ultrasuede Studio in the winter of that year, the members of the band had never been in the same room together, but with the very first notes they played there was a realization that they had struck upon something special: a musical outlet for each of them where egos were absent, the core of their creativity was free from industry pressure, and where they would quickly develop friendships that would become the central force behind the band.

Over the next decade, HERMANO would go on to release three studio albums ("Only a Suggestion", "Dare I Say" and "Into the Exam Room") and a live record (Live at W2) showcasing the force the band had become in the heavy blues market. Embarking on a series of now-legendary sold-out live performances in the United States and Europe, Hermano continued to grow a legion of dedicated fans and critical acclaim. Following the European tour in support of their debut album, Steve Earle’s departure to pursue his solo project opened the door for veteran drummer and lifelong friend of David Angstrom, Chris Leathers (Supafuzz), to step in during the band’s performance at FestiMad in 2004. Performing on the band’s next two studio albums and their live release, Leathers addition to the group cemented another chapter in the friendships established during the group’s formation six years earlier.

Recording albums and touring when they wanted to, not because they were contractually obligated to spend months on the road or in the studio, HERMANO quickly became known as the greatest band that never was, a tongue-in-cheek tip of the hat to the impact and influence of a band that consistently refused to operate on anyone’s schedule other than their own.

Six years removed from HERMANO’s last live performance at Hellfest in the summer of 2016, the band has acquired full ownership of their entire catalog and has committed to sonically updating the collections through remixing, remastering, and reissuing their three studio albums and live collection with San Francisco-based Ripple Music. The first reissue "...Only a Suggestion" was released in the fall of 2023 and was entirely remixed by David Barrick (Black Stone Cherry, Kentucky Headhunters) and mastered by Ty Tabor (King's X).

HERMANO line-up:

John Garcia – vocals
Dandy Brown – bass
Mike Callahan – guitar
David Angstrom – guitar
Chris Leathers – drums

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.