Interesting...

moonshiner · December 6th, 2004, 01:47 PM

We, being my alt.Country band, were offered a spot at Chicago's Country Music Festival next year... Even though we twang it up now and again (quite a bit actually)... we are more rock/punk... Not that I am complaining about our show or the line up which we will be playing with... but, for those of you into this genre... Why is it that there are such odd pairings with this classification? Is it that our genre is divergent enough to cross several musical boundries? What is it about this genre that is so perplexing to people?

Of course, it leads me to this question... I wonder how the ten-gallon-hat-wearin' boot scooters are gonna dig the 'cow-punk?' Is there such a thing as 'line-slamming?'

Anyone have any insight on the genre of 'alt.Country?'

Thang's that make ya's go... 'hmmmmmm' (Picture the 'The More You Know...' from NBC's stars that have gotten in trouble so they have to do public service messages for community service screen flashing up...)

eryque · December 6th, 2004, 01:58 PM

I wonder if the people that booked you listened to your act and know what they are getting, or if they decided to book you based on something else? If they did listen to you, maybe they decided they wanted a pretty diverse range of bands so that there's something for everyone.

Every time I've been to the blues festival there's been some acts that I thought definitely weren't very bluesy, but all them suburbanites streaming in to town that only know about the blues from classic rock covers seem to like them.

Teletwang · December 6th, 2004, 06:00 PM

Not sure moonshiner, but you can bet Hank III really
helped blur that Cow Punk line.

Mickey · December 6th, 2004, 06:30 PM

I think they were even from Wisconsin. They weren't punk. They were just funny-as-hell straight up country with great songwriting. That is to say, they never had a chance.

from "Buckeye Mile":

"Cause I think you're sweeter than saccharine
And your boyfriend's smokin' crack in Akron.
Baby, forget Ohio, remember me."

I don't know what the issue is, earnestness in the genre? Authenticity issues? Who knows. Lots of types of music are stuck in a rut, take themselves way too seriously and take music not seriously enough, etc.

Reno Sepulveda · December 6th, 2004, 07:31 PM

alt.country, Americana whatever you call it is a pretty big tent. There is a punk/indie rock sensibility about it when you look at bands like Wilco and Calexico. Then you have people like Buddy Miller and Steve Earle who are just too old and good for mainstream radio. If bands like REM, Soul Asylum and Mazzy Star were just starting out today they'd probably be lumped into the alt.country category.

reno

December 6th, 2004, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,171	Interesting... We, being my alt.Country band, were offered a spot at Chicago's Country Music Festival next year... Even though we twang it up now and again (quite a bit actually)... we are more rock/punk... Not that I am complaining about our show or the line up which we will be playing with... but, for those of you into this genre... Why is it that there are such odd pairings with this classification? Is it that our genre is divergent enough to cross several musical boundries? What is it about this genre that is so perplexing to people? Of course, it leads me to this question... I wonder how the ten-gallon-hat-wearin' boot scooters are gonna dig the 'cow-punk?' Is there such a thing as 'line-slamming?' Anyone have any insight on the genre of 'alt.Country?' Thang's that make ya's go... 'hmmmmmm' (Picture the 'The More You Know...' from NBC's stars that have gotten in trouble so they have to do public service messages for community service screen flashing up...) __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

December 6th, 2004, 06:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mickey Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: L.A., CA Posts: 936	Junkers were one of my favorite bands I think they were even from Wisconsin. They weren't punk. They were just funny-as-hell straight up country with great songwriting. That is to say, they never had a chance. from "Buckeye Mile": "Cause I think you're sweeter than saccharine And your boyfriend's smokin' crack in Akron. Baby, forget Ohio, remember me." I don't know what the issue is, earnestness in the genre? Authenticity issues? Who knows. Lots of types of music are stuck in a rut, take themselves way too seriously and take music not seriously enough, etc.

December 6th, 2004, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reno Sepulveda Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nowhere man Posts: 1,357	Hey it's a gig alt.country, Americana whatever you call it is a pretty big tent. There is a punk/indie rock sensibility about it when you look at bands like Wilco and Calexico. Then you have people like Buddy Miller and Steve Earle who are just too old and good for mainstream radio. If bands like REM, Soul Asylum and Mazzy Star were just starting out today they'd probably be lumped into the alt.country category. reno __________________ "I'm just kidding about that really."

December 6th, 2004, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,241 44 Photos	I wonder if the people that booked you listened to your act and know what they are getting, or if they decided to book you based on something else? If they did listen to you, maybe they decided they wanted a pretty diverse range of bands so that there's something for everyone. Every time I've been to the blues festival there's been some acts that I thought definitely weren't very bluesy, but all them suburbanites streaming in to town that only know about the blues from classic rock covers seem to like them.

December 6th, 2004, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Teletwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Connecticut Age: 41 Posts: 1,275 1 Photos	Not sure moonshiner, but you can bet Hank III really helped blur that Cow Punk line.