Man, if there’s anyone who can give Lower Broad a reprieve from bachelorette pedal taverns, the loud noise from Kid Rock’s joint and an over-saturation of Bro-country, it’s The Royal Hounds. Moving their next local gig down the Interstate from The Nashville Palace where they’ve dazzled audiences with their rocking-retro country, these guys are ready to remind the young Millennials what that street used to be like back in the days when BR549 ruled the block.

Hyper-energetic lead singer and slap-bassist Scott Hinds nicely delivers the usual 11 Questions like only a former English teacher could. And soon, he and his bandmates, Brazilian-bred guitarist Matheus Canteri (congrats on the visa!) and drummer Bramble (Nathan Place drums live with the band), release their second LP, “Low Class Songs for High Class People” on August 2. They also come home off the road to invade Robert’s Western World on Lower Broad on Tuesday, July 23 at 6:30pm.

Although The Royal Hounds appeal to my musical tastes on many levels, they also address another of my passions with the track “Pizza Party” on the new record. Getting back to music, watch the band tear their way live through their most-requested cover, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” which can also be found as a bonus track on the new release. Thanks Scott for your contribution to this space. The upcoming date at Robert’s is a solid lock on my calendar!

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I grew up in Knoxville, TN where I was a middle school English teacher for a long time. One day I got the call to join the Vegas production of a Broadway show called Million Dollar Quartet. I had such an incredible experience out there for three years. I moved to Nashville about three years ago. I’m so happy to be back in my home state, right in the thick of the kind of music I love!

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

The first two albums I bought with my own money were on the same day: TLC’s CrazySexyCool and the soundtrack to The Mask. The TLC album was great, but it was The Mask that ended up having huge influence over me. It gave me my first taste of old music. I wore that thing out! It was a CD. As for vinyl, I’ve only started collecting vinyl since I moved to Nashville and the first album I bought was a very intentional decision, Signs & Signifiers by JD McPherson. I can think of few albums that don’t have a single track I’d skip. Even the best albums usually have one clunker. That JD McPherson album is solid across every track!

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

The first concert I ever went to was The Beach Boys. It was likely the tour promoting “Kokomo” in ’88. The last concert I went to was Ronnie Spector. Oh my god! I figured at 75, she may have lost some of her talent as so many sadly do, but man! Ronnie positively KILLED it! It was one of the most moving performances I’ve ever seen and when she covered “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse, gah, I almost lost it!

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame? 

I’m rather surprised to see Chet Atkins and Jimmie Rodgers not on the list. And I’m very partial to Lefty Frizzell. But the one person that absolutely MUST be added would be Mother Maybelle Carter. Country music just wouldn’t exist today without her! 

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

For coffee in Nashville, I know I’m going to make people mad because it’s so basic, but I’m a Starbucks kind of dude. I write my best songs and am so productive sitting in a Starbucks. Beyond that, I enjoy Sip Cafe down the street from me here in East Nashville/Inglewood.

For pizza, I’m lover of Chicago pizza and I think 312 Pizza Company over there in Germantown does a really great job!

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

I spoke about albums that don’t have a bad track on them, and Lori McKenna’s album The Bird & the Rifle is one of those. She is such a beautiful, deep, and moving songwriter with great melodies. I’ll never be a writer like her, and I’m OK with that. I’m not that kind of songwriter. Nashville has plenty of em. But I can appreciate writers like her and in my book, Lori McKenna is one of Nashville’s best!

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

There’s a place behind The Nashville Palace called Scoreboard. I like their hot chicken there. Certainly, if you want the hot chicken experience, there are places like Prince’s and Bolton’s, but those aren’t “casually go there with friends after a gig” places. The Nashville Palace is a cool hang and has great bushwhackers for desert (when the machine is actually working. Ha ha!)

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

I’ll pick some of my favorites that maybe you haven’t heard of (like Isbell or Carlile, who are also favorites). First, I’d say Chuck Mead. He, along with his band BR549, essentially made Lower Broad what it is today. His songs are fun and classically honky tonkin’. Second, I’d get Jon Latham. The dude understands how to be a songwriter while also rocking. Too many songwriters only write dirges and neglect that the audience needs a balance. Finally, I’d invite Bob Schneider in from Austin. Bob’s writing is so eclectic. You never know if you’re going to get something moody and touching, or hip-hop based, but you’re always going to get something quality. He, like Latham, understands the importance of having some lively songs and tossing in a little humor to keep it fun for the audience.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

I love playing at The Nashville Palace, but we’re little too rock and roll for them unless it’s a special event. But, I’m partial to it because I’m getting married there in October! As far as Lower Broad, I do love Acme and Layla’s. But what I’m really excited about is our CD release party at Robert’s Western World on July 23rd from 6:30-10. Robert’s is the world’s greatest honky tonk, and what an honor to get to be doing our CD release there!

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

I’d say Brian Setzer. I just picture that guy popping up around town to random gigs and sitting in. It’s always been a dream of mine to play a song with that guy. I always said, “Even if it means hauling my bass into his green room and we just jam out on one.” But having him pop up at one of our gigs would be cool too!

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

Well, I’d like to say a Grammy! But right now, we’re focused on releasing a new album of great music, hitting the road and entertaining a ton of people, and ultimately giving our Brazilian guitarist and his wife a path to citizenship. It took us two years of hard work to get him his work visa to move to Nashville, and we finally landed. I’d honestly put him toe-to-toe with any Nashville super-picker you can throw at him! Matheus Canteri’s playing is worthy of two years of hard work on that visa!