Ripple Music is releasing a Blue Oyster Cult tribute album, Döminance and Submissiön: A Tribute to Blue Öyster Cult, on January 14. The project was initiated by the late Poison Idea drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, and he contributes to the album alongside Mark Lanegan, Billy Anderson, Zeke, Mondo Generator, members of High On Fire, Quasi, Fu Manchu, and more. The announcement reads:
Project initiator Steve Hanford aka Thee Slayer Hippy lived the rocky road of the rock and roll veteran. As Poison Idea’s drummer and producer, he played on two of the most influential hardcore records: 'War All The Time' and 'Feel The Darkness'. He also worked as a producer on indie rock projects such as Heatmiser (with Elliot Smith) and punk albums for notable names like The Hard-Ons. Due to some struggles with addiction, Steve found himself in prison on multiple occasions, most recently in 2008 for a seven-year sentence after robbing a Walgreens. While in prison, Steve slowly turned his life around. He got a job in a music program where he started an ongoing creative collaboration with fellow musician and Portland native, Sam Redding. Together they recorded 13 albums of finished music (their own and that of other inmates), before being released in 2016. Not long after getting out, Steve jumped on a tour playing drums in The Skull and was soon after introduced to Ape Machine, which he quickly joined on drums, while working as a producer for Darker Seas. While on the road with Ape Machine, Steve decided he wanted to produce a tribute record to one of his favorite bands, Blue Öyster Cult
Steve had a vision of building a studio and originally wanted to use funds from the sale of the tribute record to get some gear. The goal was to be able to work in his own studio, producing records for other bands. The idea was to have bands come and record Blue Öyster Cult tribute songs in his fledgling studio (temporarily using borrowed gear from Ian Watts) which he would produce, simultaneously making a name for the studio, his production techniques, and drumming skills. Unfortunately, Steve didn't make it to see the project through to release due to his suffering a heart attack on May 21st, 2020. Fortunately for music fans though, he had completed most of the recording for the project, leaving Ian Watts to gather the final pieces and mix the record. Steve was an accomplished and respected musician and was able to round up a star-studded cast of bands for the tribute.
With Steve no longer being with us, the proceeds of the record will go to benefit his widowed partner, Kitty Diggins who was left with some financial hardships, including much-needed house repairs.