Waco Brothers - Waco Express, Live & Kickin' at Shuba's Tavern, Chicago

Wow, the Waco Brothers! Hard-driving country with a driving beat, live and definitely loud, these boys need to get together with Cross Canadian Ragweed and blow out every speaker for miles around. There's a certain British flavor driving these songs - mostly due to the accent of lead singer Jon Langford, founder of the Mekons - a certain attitude and carefree feeling I catch largely because I watch a lot of British television (two of my favorite shows are currently shot in Wales, for example), but mostly I notice it just because I'm always freaked out by the fact that it's always folks from outside of the area where country was born who seem to be the only ones out there who still GET IT. Why that is I'm not sure, but it's always wonderful to listen to people who are far off the main branch who sing country music with the pure, bare bones sound it's supposed to have. Sure, these guys would definitely horrify the old-timers, but their connection to the roots is clear as pure grain alcohol. There's a reason these guys inspire such adoration in their live shows, and it's one of those shows that's commemorated here for all of us unlucky enough to have never seen them on stage. So, oi! Jump into the country moshpit, grab a beer, and enjoy.

These six guys swing immediately into gear with the Waco Express, and there is no way to not get swept away by that infectious, powerful drum beat. These aren't "singalong" songs - this is headbanging country, laced with strong guitar work and the occasional wail of steel guitar. There's no slow dances here, no chance to catch your breath, just a few seconds between songs to grab another mouthful of beer. Punk-country at its finest, the easiest way to see the link between the two styles (and seriously, there always has been, even before Dwight Yoakam covered The Clash and Little Ramona went hillbilly nuts). And who are these guys? Really hard to tell, actually. The credits list the members as Lil' Willy Goulding, Durantula, Deano, Jonboy, TD, and last, but not least, Jesus George Jones Sprockets Vegas Mr. Spanky Captain Giggles etc. Don't know what each of them plays, but they're pretty damned good at playin' it. When I can focus a little, and not just hearing the wall of sound that is this performance, there's some awesome guitar work and bone-jarring drum work, as well as that aforementioned steel guitar. So these guys have inspired critical acclaim, wedding proposals, and even a riot (Edinburgh, naturally enough)-and it's clear they're worth it all.

Release Date: March 4, 2008 - Label: Bloodshot Records