ROCK THE COUNTRY!
We’ve joined forces with our friends at Bloodshot Records to bring you this exclusive collective of alternative, roots-infused rock’n’roll. Expect country, punk and poetry – often all at the same time.
1 Rookie
Hold On Tight
Ladies and gentlemen, let us commence this month’s album by introducing you to your new favourite band. Or at least there’s a good chance this Chicago six-piece will become a favourite, if riffy, biting Americana with 70s flavours of the Stones and Tom Petty is your bag. From Rookie rookietheband.bandcamp.com
2 Ruby Boots & Indianola
Might Be Losing My Mind
Ruby Boots (aka Aussie native-turned-Nashville resident Bex Chilcott) is on searing yet soulful form on this confessional piece of alt.roots soul searching. There’s pain here, but ultimately we’re left with a rousing, ‘fuck you, world’ sense of self-assurance. Nice.
From Might Be Losing My Mind rubybootsbloodshot.bandcamp.com
3 Mekons
Lawrence Of California
Spiky, interesting lyrics and a boot-stomping ensemble of jagged guitars, haunting violins and shouty chorus vocals are some of the ingredients that make up this commandingly dark piece of folk-punk. The fact that this British collective were inspired by “the vastness and weirness” of deserts (part of an album called… erm, Deserted) makes sense.
From Deserted mekons.bandcamp.com
4 Vandoliers
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
If you think that song title seems remarkably close to the immortal one by The Proclaimers, there’s a reason for that: it is that song. Except here it’s been given a dirty, shit-kicking country makeover. In the hands of these Texan “converse cowboys”, however, it all comes together nicely. Yee, and indeed, haw.
From I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) vandoliers.com
5
Jason Hawk Harris
I’m Afraid
Ever wanted to know what it feels like to be caught up in a brawl in some remote honky-tonk joint in the South? Try listening to this. Raised in Texas but based in LA, Jason makes like Steve Earle getting rowdy at an out-of-control rodeo aftershow.
From Love & The Dark jasonhawkharris.com
6 Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
Devil May Care
’The devil may care but I couldn’t give a fuck,’
Sarah Shook drawls in this twanging, toe-tapping blend of Johnny Cash rock’n’roll, barbed storytelling and snotty punkoid sensibilities, from one of North Carolina’s most deliciously wicked singer-songwriters.
From The Way She Looked At You/ Devil May Care
www.disarmers.com
7 Scott H Biram & Jesse Dayton
Monkey David Wine
It was written while on Death Row by outlaw country renegade David Allan Coe, and Texan guitar slingers Biram and Dayton give this manic dose of oddball 12-bar blues a swaggering new set of wheels. From Monkey David Wine/Single Again www.scotthbiram.com
8 Joel Paterson
All My Loving
Yep, it’s that there Beatles choon, but here it’s in beguilingly twangy instrumental form by Chicago guitar picker Joel Paterson. A sweet, 50s-style rendition, ideal for dancing around to in your kitchen.
From Let It Be Guitar! Joel Paterson Plays The Beatles
www.joelpaterson.com
9
The Dyes
Liza Jane
A blistering highlight from Bloodshot Records’ 25th-anniversary compilation, this is based on the original by Davie Jones (aka Mr Bowie) & The King Bees. The sound is fuller but the spark remains intact.
From Too Late To Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots
www.dyesband.com
10
The Yawpers
Forgiveness Through Pain
Emotionally fraught and thrillingly on the edge, this standout track from the Denver trio’s latest album capitalises on their trademark mesh of punk, early blues and feral rock’n’roll. Wild and probably dangerous, in a really good way. From Human Question www.theyawpers.com
11
Waco Bros
Revolution Blues
Billed as Chicago’s original punk cowboys, the Waco Brothers have amassed a healthy catalogue over 25 years, the best of which has been cherry-picked for their new compilation Resist!. Music you can shout and dance to? We’ll drink to that. And maybe start a revolution while we’re at it. From Resist! wacobrothers.bandcamp.com
12
Freakwater
Sway
Another great track from Bloodshot’s anniversary collection to finish – a stripped-back, prettily harmonised cover of the Stones classic, just lilting voices and a banjo. Makes you remember that Jagger and Richards’ love for roots music goes way beyond Wild Horses.
From Too Late To Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots
www.freakwater.net