Rick Monroe and the Hitmen begin a powerful new chapter with the release of their hard-hitting single “.45,” taken from their upcoming album Southern Tea Bags. The track marks the first official release on their newly launched label, Asylum 1212 Records, created in partnership with TLG/Virgin Music Group and distributed through Virgin Music Group.
Produced by Brandon Britton and Rick Monroe and The Hitmen, “.45” delivers everything fans have come to expect—raw energy, grit, and groove—with an even sharper edge.
“.45” isn't your polished pop-country fare—it’s a six-gun soul-stomper, kicking off with a snarling guitar hook that feels like revving a ‘72 Chevy under a blood-orange sunset. Monroe’s gravelly drawl cuts through like a switchblade. Backed by The Hitmen’s rhythm section—think thunderous drums and wailing solos—it’s got that addictive, foot-stomping groove that demands to be cranked.
The launch of Asylum 1212 Records marks a bold step forward for Rick Monroe and the Hitmen as they expand their creative control and global reach.
Monroe shares, “This new label, association and single are an exciting new
milestone for our band and ability to expand our music worldwide. We look
forward to this new energy and creativity bringing our unique sound to as many
listeners, viewers, streamers and music aficionados as will have us!”
The Band has also launched a new Exclusive VIP Fan List
https://fans.rickmonroe.com/vip-list
STREAM ".45"
The birth of the Hitmen. For years Rick Monroe has been a solo artist hiring players as needed and doing the Nashville shuffle of interchangeable bands, but during covid everything changed. In 2020, Rick and the band, with Bobby Perkins & Alan Beeler, were set to have an amazing year starting off with a West Coast tour when the world shut down. Instead of everyone going their own way, they all stuck together and started streaming live shows from their basements, garages and living rooms. At the same time Rick and Alan Beeler started a standing Tuesday writing meeting which eventually became the bulk of their current album. Through some mutual friends, Rick met Malcolm Springer and they decided to track a few songs and see how it went. Once in the studio it was obvious that this was quickly becoming more of a band situation and when Malcolm brought Jason Bohl in, the sound finally came together. Rick joked one night about how the band was killing it and bam- someone said “The Hitmen”- and that was that.
