Billy The Kid And The Regulators

Next year, Billy Evanochko gets inducted into the Beaver Valley Musicians' Hall of Fame. Though the Sewickley guitar slinger won't rest on his laurels.

On Oct. 18, Evanochko and his blues band, Billy The Kid & The Regulators, release a new album, "Nice Ain't Got Me Nothing," showcasing the Hopewell Township native's blazing guitar paired with no-holds-barred lyrics.

The single is "B.S. Barbie" (my abbreviation), a fiery tune throwing verbal darts at a blue-eyed, mascara-spackled liar. An anthem about ending a toxic relationship, the song's Barbie character is inspired by a real person.

Asked to elaborate, Evanochko simply says, "I don't write books, I don't write essays, I write songs."

The "Nice Ain't Got Me Nothing" title track rides a J. Geils-ish organ riff supplied by Ghost Hounds' keyboard wizard Joe Munroe, who produced the album in his Center studio.

The three Billy The Kid & The Regulators originals include the sassy "Say You Want a Woman" and smoldering "Sweet Honey Child," with guest slide guitar from another Beaver County six-string ace, Dan Bubien. A separate, acoustic version of "Sweet Honey Child" closes the album.

From an ornery cover of Tommy Castro's "Nasty Habits," to the danceable "Ain't No Fun," The Regulators (John Bartholomay, bass; Ublai Bey, keys; Ben Davis, drums) keep the sound gritty and groove-driven."

Shake That Thing" and "Bang Bang Baby" are covers from Evanochko's guitar hero, the late Glenn Pavone, who electrified stages as a member of the Billy Price Band.

Third-place finishers in the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Billy The Kid & The Regulators consistently entertain Pittsburgh area crowds at festivals, casinos and jam-packed bars.

Now with national representation, the band routinely tours the Atlantic seaboard, including this month's scheduled seven-night Florida swing that took a hit from Hurricane Ian. Someone sent Evanochko a video of one of those venues as its outdoor stage floated away in rising waters.

Well, it's not like true blues artists haven't sung about floods before.

"I can't wait to get back on the road," Evanochko said. "This is what we do. You build your brand and audience."

With no western Pennsylvania gigs on the calendar, find "B.S. Barbie" next week on Spotify and the full album Oct. 18 on most major platforms.

Meanwhile, I'll alert you when Beaver County Musicians' Hall of Fame induction ceremony details are announced.

"I'm very honored to be inducted," Evanochko said. "To be included with so many of my peers and heroes is exciting and humbling." - Scott Tady, Beaver County Times

may be just a little bit biased, but I think that, over the years, the city of Pittsburgh, Pa., has generated some of the best regional blues bands in the country.

I’m biased because the Pittsburgh area is where I was born, grew up (some might disagree), found my blue genes with legendary ‘Burgh DJ Porky Chedwick, and worked for many years.

I’ve also heard a lot of blues bands from the region, and today’s focus, Billy Evanochko, working as Billy the Kid and the Regulators (that’s right, just like the outlaw), is one of the best.

On “It Is What It Is,” his third and brand new album, Evanochko departs a little from his traditional heavy-duty blues work with some social commentary on several original songs.

Evanochko has been paying attention to the social and political upheaval that has defined 2020, and he opens the album with three hard-hitting personal statements, wrapped in some finely crafted music.

Disillusionment, with the hope of redemption, is a primary theme.

In a recent interview with Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Evanochko explains the origins of one of those songs, “Fall So Hard,” written immediately after hearing the news about the killing of George Floyd.

“All these years,” he says, “we’re all taught with this ideal to help your fellow man and be a good American. I’m also a veteran, so being a good American to me is whether you’re black, white, brown, red, yellow, whatever race, creed, you take care of each other. And that’s what that song is about.”

The funky title track is a similar adventure, describing how “Social media and corporate greed keep us blinded by the light…“ and then “…if we don’t stand and fight we’re just pawns in the game….”

The third original, “I Can’t Help Myself,” which kicks off with some soaring horns, is an ode to personal truth “…have to do what’s best for me, they’re gonna talk about me anyway….”

Then the Regulators take on a series of fine covers, ranging from The Rolling Stones’ “I Got the Blues” to Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People“ to “House Party,” from the J. Geils Band.

Billy told me in an email: “I set out to make a good record not a blues record. My goal was to do a CD with a combination of new original material and choice covers that would start-to-finish tell a story, but more importantly, have a message.

“Making this CD was good for my soul. Joe Munroe was so great to work with as a producer. He let me be me but got me to try stuff I normally probably wouldn’t have.”

And that formula, or lack of formula, paid off. It all holds together with the crackling band of Regulators, featuring Evanochko’s fierce guitar. He’s comfortable with a tough blues, some funk, or a flat-out rocker. And he tops it all off with gritty vocal chops

The Regulators are Derek Redd, Ben Davis, John Bartholomay, Jake Werkmeister, Ublai Bey and Larry Estes. The album was produced by Studio Joe in Center Township, Pa., run by Joe Munroe.

This isn’t just another blues band making just another album. It’s a furiously proud musical statement. - Jim White, Blues Roadhouse

Pittsburgh-based blues/rock/R&B outfit Billy The Kid & The Regulators display big-league taste and talent on their new release Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothin’.

The record drops June 15th, 2023 thanks to Sony Music/The Orchard and is destined to turn a lot of fans onto a group often called the best-kept secret in the blues. It’s an outstanding set of blues music that touches on a variety of styles and feels from vintage to contemporary and gets lowdown with them all. Frontman Billy Evanochko is a mesmerizing presence on vocals and guitar at center stage and exudes the power and grit of which legends are made. Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothin’ punches hard but also shows the kind of skills that bring nuance and expression to the forefront. Billy clearly knows where he wants to go and wastes nary a note in the process of getting there.

Billy The Kid & The Regulators have been blasting their blues from the group’s Pennsylvania home since 2000. They’ve become known as one of the mightiest acts in their region and have also rocked innumerable clubs, concerts, and festivals around the country. Billy’s personal blend of blues and R&B has won him and his band a large, loyal following, critical praise, and a slew of awards.

The band took Third Place at the International Blues Challenge in 2014, First Place from the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania in 2013, and First Place from the West Virginia Blues Society in 2007. They were also a Top Five Finalist at the IBC in 2013 in the Best Self-Produced CD category. BTK and his current lineup of bassist John Bartholomay, keyboardist Owen Dougan-Bacha, and drummer Ben Davis absolutely know how to turn heads around and this new record vibes like it’s going to break big.

Evanochko kicks things off with his title cut “Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothin’.” It’s a fully-energized blast of modern-day blues that’s well-written and muscular. It’s a classic heartbreak song with a crisp, funky pocket and outstanding performances at all positions. Billy is an excellent singer and guitarist with a strong identity and a vocal tone that cuts through the band. The whole group slays this one, especially the rhythm section. Drummer Ben Davis is the man and puts the entire arrangement in gear.

“Sweet Honey Child” downshifts into a more hip-shaking feel and features Billy ripping on slide guitar. Keyboardist Owen Dougan-Bacha is a large presence here and his piano licks are tight and rhythmic. Billy’s bold vocals keep things focused on the microphone and come off as intuitive and real.

One of the best cuts on Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothin’ is the hardcore slow blues “Bullshit Barbie.” It’s all about trouble and deception in the game of love and Billy hits it with his best back-alley style. His guitar solo is volcanic from the jump, letting his blues fall down like rain. Lyrically, he holds nothing back, so don’t play this one at the office.

The hard funk of “Bang Bang Baby” is also an album highlight. The bass line drives the beat right through the floor and Billy throws down everything he’s got on top of it. It’s a dance-til-you-can’t situation that will put any size crowd in motion with its live-off-the-floor sound. Other can’t-miss cuts include “Shake That Thang” and “Nasty Habits.”

Nice Ain’t Got Me Nothing comes off like a turning-point release that will exponentially raise Billy The Kid & The Regulators’ profile. The album is full-on hot sauce from end to end and shows Billy Evanochko to be an artist a lot more people need to experience. Play it loud and let your speakers burn! - Mike O’Cull