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The Black Crowes have found a steady, renewed creative rhythm two albums into their reunion, which officially launched in 2019. As they continue to tour and record, the band is discovering that fans are increasingly connecting with unexpected chapters of their extensive discography. For guitarist Rich Robinson, the recent Southern Hospitality summer tour—which featured a successful run of outdoor dates alongside Whiskey Myers—served as a testament to this evolving connection.
Following the March release of their latest studio effort, A Pound of Feathers, the group hit the road with a renewed sense of purpose. Robinson notes that integrating new material with established hits has been a seamless process. "Playing outside and getting to do our thing, [playing] that new record, I mean, we were really happy with it," Robinson tells UCR. "You know, it's interesting when you write a new record, how it plays and how it mixes with your catalog. The thing is, [these new songs] work seamlessly. It's amazing,"
The band’s set lists this past summer were particularly adventurous, frequently incorporating deeper cuts and welcoming special guests. One notable addition to the rotation was "Midnight From the Inside Out," a track from the 2001 Don Was-produced album Lions. While that record initially received a mixed critical reception, Robinson has observed a significant shift in how fans perceive it today. The song's return to the stage was actually spurred by Isaac Carpenter, the current drummer for Guns N' Roses, who shared his appreciation for the album with the band.
"He just came up to Chris and I, and we met him. He was such a sweetheart," Robinson recalls. "He's like, 'Hey, you know, can I tell you something?' We're like, 'What?' He's like, 'I love Lions.' We were like, 'Really?' And he's like, 'Yeah, it's amazing.' Chris met [Corey Taylor] from Slipknot, and he said the same thing to him."
Robinson acknowledges that while Lions represented a departure from the band's earlier sound, he remains proud of the work. He explains that the creative direction was influenced by his experience scoring the 2002 film Highway and his collaborative history with Jimmy Page. "I know some hardcore fans had a hard time at first. It was just it was different for us," he admits. "But you know, I I had just scored that movie and we had just worked with Jimmy [Page] and I just kind of brought all that to writing that record. I thought it was great and there's some really good songs on there so I'm always happy to [go back to] that record [and plays songs from it]."
The band has also revisited 1999’s By Your Side, another project that has gained a dedicated following over the years. Robinson describes that era as a conscious move toward a more direct rock-and-roll aesthetic, driven by songs like "Horsehead" and the title track. Regarding his writing process, he prefers to avoid overthinking, allowing the songs to dictate the sonic direction of the record naturally.
Reflecting on A Pound of Feathers, Robinson highlights the spontaneous nature of its creation. The recording process was lean and immediate, with him and Chris Robinson tracking alongside drummer Cully Symington over an intense eight-day period. He points to tracks like "Pharmacy Chronicles," "Queen of the B-Sides," and "High & Lonesome" as personal highlights from their recent live performances.
As for what lies ahead in 2027, the band is currently keeping their options open. In the immediate term, they are closing out 2026 with high-profile appearances, including a sold-out Gram Parsons tribute at the Troubadour and a recent set of performances alongside Aerosmith at the Hollywood Bowl. Reflecting on their history with Aerosmith, Robinson views the opportunity as a full-circle moment, citing the legendary band's early support and influence on his own musical journey.
