B-Side Guys

Robert Lee’s gothic Americana project emerged from profound loss, yet “Black Hats” channels grief into political anger rather than personal mourning. The track functions as allegory about manipulation and control, where the titular figure represents anyone who promises safety while delivering fear—a timeless archetype gaining renewed urgency in contemporary political climate.

Del Roscoe’s commitment to handcrafted visual elements extends beyond typical music video production into genuine folk art territory. Every mask and prop was created by band members themselves, suggesting artists who understand that aesthetic choices carry ideological weight. This DIY approach mirrors the song’s anti-authoritarian message, where community resistance requires collective effort rather than passive consumption.

The band’s formation around two loyal dogs—Del and Roscoe—provides grounding detail that prevents their gothic tendencies from feeling affected. Lee’s Atlanta roots inform the project’s Southern gothic sensibilities without relying on regional clichés, instead using lap steel and accordion to create atmospheric tension that serves political commentary.

Paul Abrelat’s terminal cancer diagnosis and determination to complete his bass parts before death adds biographical context that could overwhelm the music’s political content. Yet Del Roscoe avoids using this tragedy as marketing angle, instead dedicating the album to Abrelat while allowing the songs to function independently of backstory.

The track’s examination of figures who “spread lies and fear to gain control” operates through symbolic narrative rather than specific political targeting. Lee’s description of the black hat as “judge, jury, and executioner” creates archetypal villain adaptable across contexts, understanding that effective protest music requires flexibility rather than dated topical references.

“Black Hats” succeeds by treating political resistance as ongoing necessity rather than historical artifact. Del Roscoe demonstrates that handmade art can carry urgent political messages without sacrificing aesthetic sophistication or musical integrity.