Nine Pound Hammer is a Kentucky-based cowpunk band formed in 1985 by Blaine Cartwright of Nashville Pussy and Scott Luallen in their hometown, Owensboro, Kentucky. History Nine Pound Hammer first played at The Ross Theater in nearby Evansville, Indiana, with drummer Toby Myrig, David Epperson, and bassist Brian (Forrest) Payne. David and Brian left, and Bart Altman joined on bass. This lineup played locally in Owensboro, Kentucky and Evansville before relocating to Lexington, Kentucky as the Raw Recruit. The band then changed the name to the Black Sheep and became the house band at Great Scott's Depot. Darren Howard replaced Toby, and the band became Nine Pound Hammer again. The name of the band is taken from the Merle Travis song Nine Pound Hammer. Brian Moore (Active Ingredients) and Rob Hulsman (Tarbox Ramblers) joined on bass and drums in 1988, just before recording the band's first LP, The Mud, The Blood, and The Beers.