Photo credit: pitchfork.com
Herb Wiley, a guitarist known for his work with Rye Coalition and the Black Hollies, recently disclosed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative condition commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In response to this challenging news, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist with his treatment costs. Alongside this initiative, Wiley has also shared a solo album filled with long-pending tracks that he recorded just before his ALS diagnosis. He took on the roles of instrumentalist, recording artist, and producer in his friend’s basement, reviving songs he originally penned in the late 1990s.
In a recent statement, Wiley reflected on his creative journey:
“I wrote all these songs back in the day around ’98, ’99 and played them out a couple of times using my friend Scott (from Black Hollies) on drums and Justin (from Rye Coalition) on bass. I then stopped writing as I joined Rye Coalition to work on the ‘On Top’ LP sessions. During the pandemic, when everyone was confined and hesitant to engage with a world in turmoil, I recorded this slowly in a friend’s basement. I effectively waited 25 years to capture these tracks properly, intending to form a band to perform them. Once I completed the recording and mixing, everything else began to unfold in my life. It felt almost like I subconsciously knew I had to get these recordings done now, or I might lose the chance. It’s a strange kind of synchronicity—life often proves to be more surprising than fiction.”
Rye Coalition, a post-hardcore band that emerged from New Jersey in the late 1990s, welcomed Wiley into their fold for the release of their 2002 album, On Top. They found themselves signed to the ill-fated major label Dreamworks shortly before its acquisition, ultimately returning to the independent scene with Gern Blandsten for their final album, Curses, produced by Dave Grohl in 2006. A documentary titled The Story of the Hard Luck 5 chronicles the band’s journey, including their challenges with record labels and eventual disbandment, featuring commentary from figures like Grohl, Steve Albini, and Jack Black. Wiley is among the trio of former Rye Coalition members who went on to create the Black Hollies, continuing to contribute to the evolving landscape of alternative music.
Source
pitchfork.com