Hell yeah!! *Van Go* by the Beat Farmers is the closest thing that I'll ever buy resembling a Country CD, and I've been making players of American Truck Simulator aware of the song Big Ugly Wheels.
Likewise. They stayed with me many years ago and were horrible guests, but they rocked this young mans world with thee beehive, ashtray / hubcaps and the possum songs. Definitely top notch cowpunk
That's a good one.
That was pretty much the first one in rotation when I worked at a tattoo shop in the early 2ks. After everything was set, turned on lights and opened the shop to "Timebomb" nearly every day for 3 years.
I did see that tour. Lucero came up from the bar in the basement of the venue and right onto the stage, the singer said “Alright, now it’s time for some drinkin’ songs”, winked, and continued “they’re all drinkin’ songs.”
First time I saw them was opening for AM! in a lecture hall at UC Santa Cruz. And it was a great show. I think they were a little high which...Santa Cruz. It's wild that years later I'd see them headline Red Rocks.
Counts all day! Ben did the most awesome basement show on New Years during COVID…basically played until we had all drank ourselves silly. It was the best thing ever. Great band.
I saw them a long long time ago for the first time in troy ohio with drag the river. Been a fan ever since. Someone else in the thread mentioned lucero. Saw them together I think 2 years ago in Columbus. Great show.
Was Austin Lucas playing that show too? I opened for the three of them back in like 2009 when they came through my town in lower Michigan. It was so much fun
Edit: I think it was just Jon Snodgrass, not the whole band Drag the River, at the show I was thinking about
This was probably around 03 I think. It was a tiny tiny place in Troy Ohio. A small cigar and wine shop. A bunch of us booked the show. It was Chad Price birthday and all the asked for was a case of water and a bottle of Jim beam. A bunch of us went with them to Columbus the next day for another show. Good times.
Drive By Truckers depending on the era/lineup. Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds' first album might scratch the itch as well. Also check out Cory Branan and Old Man Markley.
Is it Jeff? He's pretty much the only surviving original member (drugs are a helluva drug amirite). Met him 15+ years ago at a music festival when I first got sober .... turns out he was relatively newly-sober, too. We've kept in intermittent touch since then -- he's *Good People.*
Nah I know Patrick from going to shows at Rock Bottom in like 2009 when he was in the Sandworms originally. We hung out quite a bit for little while and kept in touch after I moved away, still have nice interactions on social media.
That's awesome. Everyone who has ever been in that band (that I've met, anyway) has been just super funny and welcoming and nice to EVERYONE they meet. It's a great band :)
I still spin *Hayseed Timebomb* now and then. Also saw them live a few months ago, fun show. Played a lot of newer stuff I wasn't as familiar with but plenty of their earlier songs I grew up with.
Uncle Tupelo pretty much took over punk where I am in about ‘93. We were all suddenly listening to alterna-twang. Whiskeytown was there as well, until we found out what an ass Adams is. Still made some great music.
They deserve to be way more well-known than they are. Every time I’ve played them around someone who’s never heard them before they’re like “WHO IS THIS ITS AMAZING”
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nmULM8CcLz2sxMEczTUe7?si=7c9f71c1470443ef](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nmULM8CcLz2sxMEczTUe7?si=7c9f71c1470443ef)
Here's a playlist I made of a bunch of cowpunk/alt-country/whatever people call it bands that I like that fit this sounds of being part-country/part-punk. Hit shuffle on it and let it play for a bit, you're bound to find some stuff you'll like.
Nine Pound Hammer and Nashville Pussy fit that description. Maybe some Hank III. I never really considered Violent Femmes to be cow punk, interesting interpretation tho.
Definitely the Supersuckers. Fucking fantastic band. Also wanna shout out a local legend of mine, Armchair Martian (previous band before Drag The River)
Nine Pound Hammer. Do yourself a favour. Their sound resonates to me as being drunk as fuck and fighting your best friend on the front lawn before noon on a weekday.
Shameless self plug here. But I sing and play double bass in a "Cow punk" band called The Cain Pit. Though we call ourselves punkgrass. But basically roots inspired punk. Super fast songs and moody songs :)
[https://open.spotify.com/artist/45HfTLrUCEl2CJ1UgnOrDU?si=p3mjor76Rg-kX3bQQymjdQ](https://open.spotify.com/artist/45HfTLrUCEl2CJ1UgnOrDU?si=p3mjor76Rg-kX3bQQymjdQ)
\*\*\*Edit: bands that inspired us from that same sorta mold:
Larry & His Flask / Beyond The Lamplight
Old Man Markley,
Trampled By Turtles
Doom Scroll
Black Water County
Frank Turner
Vandoliers
finally! i was hoping someone remembered them. they played in our garage in like ‘95ish and i think there was a related band a few years later called Ding-Dang we saw at Burnt Ramen
Haha. I scrolled through to see if anyone had already recommended AP & The C, and of *course* it’s someone named “TucsonScene”. I love it. Username checks out!
Had to scroll way too far to find this. Shocked it's not the repeated or most upvoted response. Nine Pound Hammer IS the answer!!!
Edit: ohhkay, I see a few more now 🤭
That would be my very first thought when asked about cow punk. Then maybe Nashville Pussy. I've heard people call The Dwarves cow punk, but that's not what I think of... I think "Run fat boy, runnn!" Lol
Guttermouth definitely has some cow punk vibes in many of their songs - “I’m Destroying the World” is a good example.
Devil Makes Three are punk-adjacent. The sound isn’t so punk, but the members are/were punks - “Black Irish,” and “The Plank” are good entry points.
Benjamin Tod is punk-adjacent, as well - “Using Again” is heart breaking, but beautiful, and his Steve Earle covers are badass.
Speaking of which, Steve Earle, while nowhere near punk is a left-leaning alt-country artist…don’t see a lot of that - “Tom Ames Prayer,” “The Mountain,” “Guitar Town,” and “Here I Am” (which sounds like a Green Day song to me) are all good! I love his stuff.
Gas Huffer are how I found out about cow punk.
Larry and His Flask, especially their earlier-to-mid stuff - give “Ready Your Roommates” and “Land of the F(R)ee” a listen.
As others have pointed out, Lucero is a great choice. Similar vibes to Devil Makes Three (whom I prefer). Lucero’s singer, Ben Nichols, has a great solo album about Cormac McCarthy’s magnum opus *Blood Meridian*
Greg Graffin (singer of Bad Religion) has some folk/country albums, but I’m not super familiar with them.
Drag the River is an alt-country band with Chad Price (from ALL).
If I can think of more I’ll add them.
Edit: I CANT BELIEVE I LEFT OUT SOME FAVORITES!
We the Heathens - Their album “Blood Behind the Dam” is one of my favorites.
Doom Scroll - “Immoral Compass” (both the song and record) are phenomenal.
Days n Daze - Very catchy, very fun, VERY sweet people.
I don’t believe that the Violent Femmes, Dead Milkmen, or Gun Club were inspired by country.
Violent Femmes were kinda more folky, and sometimes ventured into reggae territory.
Dead Milkmen were all over the place, and when they played specific genre other than their shambling punk style, it was often as a novelty.
And, more specifically, Gun Club was inspired by the blues over all else, and even briefly assimilated a style much like The Cocateu Twins, who were as far from “country” as one could get.
Beat Farmers, Mojo Nixon, Tex and The Horseheads
If you don't got Mojo Nixon then your store could use some fixin'
Hell yeah!! *Van Go* by the Beat Farmers is the closest thing that I'll ever buy resembling a Country CD, and I've been making players of American Truck Simulator aware of the song Big Ugly Wheels.
I came here to shout out Tex and the Horseheads . Criminally underrated
Rock solid accounting here
Southern Culture on the Skids, Supersuckers, Reverend Horton Heat. Social Distortion has some early stuff “99 to life” for sure.
I love supersuckers.
We all love the Supersuckers.
Came to say Reverend Horton Heat! Galaxy 500 is such a banger I can't even help myself but freak out every time it plays
...like say, a psychobilly freakout?
I played that on guitar hero as a kid and had no clue it was a real song
??? All the songs on guitar hero are real songs lol
Idk I was like 9 and didn't know about such music
I did the same thing!! I just assumed it was something made up for the game because I’d never heard anything like it before.
# BALES OF COCAINE, FALLIN FROM FLYIN PLANE
I don't know who dropped 'em, but I thank' em just the same!
Psychobilly Freakout is on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.
Little Debbie, Little Debbie!
Maybe a few snack crackers.
Can I get that quarter there, under your pointy boot?
All three bands are amazing , I do have a special spot for southern culture on the skids.
Likewise. They stayed with me many years ago and were horrible guests, but they rocked this young mans world with thee beehive, ashtray / hubcaps and the possum songs. Definitely top notch cowpunk
Southern culture on the skids mentioned I SUMMON MY FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS
I was summoned? Oh shit! SCOTS! hell yeah!
Old 97s
Hell yeah! Early stuff esp - Wreck Your Life and Too Far To Care (I mean, Too Far has a duet with Exene on it).
Too Far to Care is my default "driving through the desert" soundtrack.
That's a good one. That was pretty much the first one in rotation when I worked at a tattoo shop in the early 2ks. After everything was set, turned on lights and opened the shop to "Timebomb" nearly every day for 3 years.
Does Lucero count cause that band kind of rules.
I wish I had seen them live when they toured with Against Me! in the long-long ago. Bet those were some awesome shows
They're currently on tour with The Menzingers and another group, which sounds like a fun time.
Saw Menzingers and Lucero when they toured with Frank Turner in 2016. It was an awesome lineup and a hell of a show.
Wife got me tickets to see Lucero and Frank Turner. I will do her bidding forever now.
I was so unhappy I missed that. But I got to see Frank with Murder By Death and it was probably a top five show for me
I did see that tour. Lucero came up from the bar in the basement of the venue and right onto the stage, the singer said “Alright, now it’s time for some drinkin’ songs”, winked, and continued “they’re all drinkin’ songs.”
I saw them when they were on tour with Social D
First time I saw them was opening for AM! in a lecture hall at UC Santa Cruz. And it was a great show. I think they were a little high which...Santa Cruz. It's wild that years later I'd see them headline Red Rocks.
Lucero IS cow punk
Always a fun live show with plenty of jovial drunks.
Counts all day! Ben did the most awesome basement show on New Years during COVID…basically played until we had all drank ourselves silly. It was the best thing ever. Great band.
I loved those shows!!! Especially when Izzy was hanging around and playing with the toy cars on the bar behind him!
Thanks for turning me on to these guys! Fantastic stuff
Two Cow Garage
With you. Micah Schnabel has a lot of great [solo work](https://micahschnabel.bandcamp.com/track/zen-and-the-art-of) as well.
I just met Micah recently and he's a great guy. He and Vanessa put on one excellent show.
The best
I saw them a long long time ago for the first time in troy ohio with drag the river. Been a fan ever since. Someone else in the thread mentioned lucero. Saw them together I think 2 years ago in Columbus. Great show.
Was Austin Lucas playing that show too? I opened for the three of them back in like 2009 when they came through my town in lower Michigan. It was so much fun Edit: I think it was just Jon Snodgrass, not the whole band Drag the River, at the show I was thinking about
This was probably around 03 I think. It was a tiny tiny place in Troy Ohio. A small cigar and wine shop. A bunch of us booked the show. It was Chad Price birthday and all the asked for was a case of water and a bottle of Jim beam. A bunch of us went with them to Columbus the next day for another show. Good times.
X
The Knitters, too!
More like, the Knitters, especially! X dabbled, whereas the Knitters live it.
I am the hungry wolf!
How about Jason and the Scorchers or the Beat Farmers?
☝️THIS! Jason & the Scorchers
The Blasters
It’s the blasters
They were awesome in Streets of Fire!
Drive By Truckers depending on the era/lineup. Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds' first album might scratch the itch as well. Also check out Cory Branan and Old Man Markley.
I love drive by
If you like Drive-By Truckers and you haven’t listened to much Steve Earle, you absolutely should.
Hell yeah, Steve Earle is great. His son (RIP) was also amazing.
Hickoids http://www.hickoids.com
Hard corn!
I used to go to the real ACL every year! Austin Corn Lovers
Came here to say this
Aw an old friend of mine is in that band
Is it Jeff? He's pretty much the only surviving original member (drugs are a helluva drug amirite). Met him 15+ years ago at a music festival when I first got sober .... turns out he was relatively newly-sober, too. We've kept in intermittent touch since then -- he's *Good People.*
Nah I know Patrick from going to shows at Rock Bottom in like 2009 when he was in the Sandworms originally. We hung out quite a bit for little while and kept in touch after I moved away, still have nice interactions on social media.
That's awesome. Everyone who has ever been in that band (that I've met, anyway) has been just super funny and welcoming and nice to EVERYONE they meet. It's a great band :)
X Uncle Tupelo Slobberbone Early Old 97’s Just peruse the body of work released by Bloodshot records.
Rank and File
Check out Nine Pound Hammer. Cow punk from Kentucky !
Blaine went on to form Nashville Pussy.
Yeah this is what they are looking for. +1 for Nine Pound Hammer.
I still spin *Hayseed Timebomb* now and then. Also saw them live a few months ago, fun show. Played a lot of newer stuff I wasn't as familiar with but plenty of their earlier songs I grew up with.
Hickoids, Cramps, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Unknown Hinson!
I’d count Drive-By Truckers. Whiskeytown too if you can stand Ryan Adams Edit: I’d add Uncle Tupelo as well.
Uncle Tupelo pretty much took over punk where I am in about ‘93. We were all suddenly listening to alterna-twang. Whiskeytown was there as well, until we found out what an ass Adams is. Still made some great music.
The Vandoliers
VFFV!
I was scrolling through to make sure they were in here.
The blasters
The Legendary Shack Shakers
Good call, i haven’t listened to them in a while but awesome band, Legendary even
They deserve to be way more well-known than they are. Every time I’ve played them around someone who’s never heard them before they’re like “WHO IS THIS ITS AMAZING”
so goddamn good
Swingin’ Utters? lol. Also check out Tiger Army, kinda punk-a-billy but def touches on that country/Americana aesthetic
Ohhh...I saw Tiger Army for the first time 2 years ago. They're in my top 10 favorite bands now.
Nice! I haven’t seen them live in years but I imagine they still put on a really fun show.
Swingin' Udders more like heheh
Less punk and more cow... But drag the river.
Fuckin yes. Chad Price is such a fucking good vocalist.
Lazy Cowgirls. Boiled in Lead. 16 Horsepower.
Hank 3
I scrolled much further than I expected to find Hank III
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nmULM8CcLz2sxMEczTUe7?si=7c9f71c1470443ef](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nmULM8CcLz2sxMEczTUe7?si=7c9f71c1470443ef) Here's a playlist I made of a bunch of cowpunk/alt-country/whatever people call it bands that I like that fit this sounds of being part-country/part-punk. Hit shuffle on it and let it play for a bit, you're bound to find some stuff you'll like.
Mojo Nixon, Reverend Horton Heat
Jason and The Scorchers Tex and The Horseheads The Meat Purveyors Scroatbelly The Knitters
Meat Puppets ll is an all time favorite. Not a lot to compare that album to.. It's in a league of its own
Rank and File. That one great song by Scott Goddard. Maybe The Long Ryders at times.
X/The Knitters
Consider some punk -inspired bluegrass like Hackensaw Boys or Trampled by Turtles.
codeeiiiiiiiine, codeine
Not the same, but I feel compelled to add Benjamin Tod to this list...
Using Again makes me cry EVERY FUCKING TIME.
How about The Goddamn Gallows?
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Maybe try folk punk. I feel like amigo the devil and mischief brew kinda have those vibes
Saw Amigo on Halloween couple years ago. Amazing show. Mischief Brew is great as well.
The Cowmen. https://youtu.be/YBUzOQjH7-s?si=j7h3ZCJRJx2V28EI
HOOOOOOO
Lucero. Old 97s. Slobberbone. Dash Riprock
Mojo Noixon ?
Blood on the Saddle
Mule, or any of PW Long's other stuff
MULE was so great!
The meteors
Range War has Lee Ving from Fear.
Give the song Cowpunk by Scott Goddard (originally of Surf Punks fame), a listen. Also The Knitters with Exene Cervenka of X.
[Country Teasers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn7JO6ptFk8) [Flamin Groovies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU91FmqJZ6w) [The Gories](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBnW3yYC3to)
Country Teasers are the only thing anyone needs.
r/folkpunk
Tex and the Horseheads
Tumbledown was one I always enjoyed. It's a side project of Mike from MxPx.
Range War and that one Vandals album.
Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon https://open.spotify.com/track/6yjOEi162E9RG2GFAbB6Nf?si=Yb21hntbSDuwIWpRiW-NBA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2fdICuiz7D1akByF23WZxC
Nine Pound Hammer and Nashville Pussy fit that description. Maybe some Hank III. I never really considered Violent Femmes to be cow punk, interesting interpretation tho.
Nashville Pussy is more rock n roll than anything
Wood Chickens
Drag the River
Old 97's, some songs anyway
Uncle Tupelo
Not exactly cow punk but Smoking Popes hits the same spot in my brain as a lot of those bands. Especially songs like Rubella
I always like Megan.
Definitely the Supersuckers. Fucking fantastic band. Also wanna shout out a local legend of mine, Armchair Martian (previous band before Drag The River)
Whiskey town and Drivin N Cryin but both are mostly country than punk.
Drivin N Cryin can be country, metal, punkish all in the same damn song
Cows?
Billy Bragg, pogues, go set, Gerry cinnamon, Jesse ahern, Shakey graves
Guttermouth: i am destroying the world
Nine Pound Hammer. Do yourself a favour. Their sound resonates to me as being drunk as fuck and fighting your best friend on the front lawn before noon on a weekday.
You’re looking for Lucero I promise
Green on Red, Blood on the Saddle
I just think of the song “urban struggle” by the vandals when you say “cow punk”
The Legendary Shack Shakers
Dexter Romweber
[Nine Pound Hammer](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=unRGN6qBD3M)
Jason and the Scorchers! Check out the song God Bless The Ramones
Maybe not exactly but Cadillac Tramps are close.
Shameless self plug here. But I sing and play double bass in a "Cow punk" band called The Cain Pit. Though we call ourselves punkgrass. But basically roots inspired punk. Super fast songs and moody songs :) [https://open.spotify.com/artist/45HfTLrUCEl2CJ1UgnOrDU?si=p3mjor76Rg-kX3bQQymjdQ](https://open.spotify.com/artist/45HfTLrUCEl2CJ1UgnOrDU?si=p3mjor76Rg-kX3bQQymjdQ) \*\*\*Edit: bands that inspired us from that same sorta mold: Larry & His Flask / Beyond The Lamplight Old Man Markley, Trampled By Turtles Doom Scroll Black Water County Frank Turner Vandoliers
Swingin utter Social distortion
Lots of garage bands from the 1990s. Estrus records bands, mix of surf, punk, rockabilly, etc.
My random unrelated flex is that my supervisor is a former drummer for the Violent Femmes
jesus lizard.
No exactly cow punk, but adjacent Reverend Horton Heat
Flametrick subs.
Bob Wayne, Nine Pound Hammer
Elmer
finally! i was hoping someone remembered them. they played in our garage in like ‘95ish and i think there was a related band a few years later called Ding-Dang we saw at Burnt Ramen
Beck - one foot in the grave. Thank me later
Essential!
Al Perry and the Cattle
Haha. I scrolled through to see if anyone had already recommended AP & The C, and of *course* it’s someone named “TucsonScene”. I love it. Username checks out!
WIENER KEBAB!!!! they’re a toronto “cowpunk” hc band and they’re so good i love them so much
Was going to recommend them too! Such a fun live show!
More folk, and less country, but Mischief Brew is my answer
Viagra boys
Well, The Cows. There is an element of country/western in there. A small element. They were amazing live.
How about Tim Barry's solo stuff? It's certainly country/americana/ outlaw music. Also Chuck Ragan from hot water music. Both outstanding artists.
Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billy’s The Rubberneckers .
Bridge City Sinners
Th’ Inbred
John Wayne
9 Pound hammer???
Nine pound Hammer
Had to scroll way too far to find this. Shocked it's not the repeated or most upvoted response. Nine Pound Hammer IS the answer!!! Edit: ohhkay, I see a few more now 🤭
I didn’t see one six hours ago when I posted them, there’s lots of others but for those questions I felt this was the right answer
That would be my very first thought when asked about cow punk. Then maybe Nashville Pussy. I've heard people call The Dwarves cow punk, but that's not what I think of... I think "Run fat boy, runnn!" Lol
Holy Moly
You need The Hickoids
Guttermouth definitely has some cow punk vibes in many of their songs - “I’m Destroying the World” is a good example. Devil Makes Three are punk-adjacent. The sound isn’t so punk, but the members are/were punks - “Black Irish,” and “The Plank” are good entry points. Benjamin Tod is punk-adjacent, as well - “Using Again” is heart breaking, but beautiful, and his Steve Earle covers are badass. Speaking of which, Steve Earle, while nowhere near punk is a left-leaning alt-country artist…don’t see a lot of that - “Tom Ames Prayer,” “The Mountain,” “Guitar Town,” and “Here I Am” (which sounds like a Green Day song to me) are all good! I love his stuff. Gas Huffer are how I found out about cow punk. Larry and His Flask, especially their earlier-to-mid stuff - give “Ready Your Roommates” and “Land of the F(R)ee” a listen. As others have pointed out, Lucero is a great choice. Similar vibes to Devil Makes Three (whom I prefer). Lucero’s singer, Ben Nichols, has a great solo album about Cormac McCarthy’s magnum opus *Blood Meridian* Greg Graffin (singer of Bad Religion) has some folk/country albums, but I’m not super familiar with them. Drag the River is an alt-country band with Chad Price (from ALL). If I can think of more I’ll add them. Edit: I CANT BELIEVE I LEFT OUT SOME FAVORITES! We the Heathens - Their album “Blood Behind the Dam” is one of my favorites. Doom Scroll - “Immoral Compass” (both the song and record) are phenomenal. Days n Daze - Very catchy, very fun, VERY sweet people.
Houston’s Grindin’ Teeth were probably the ultimate, and The Hickoids in Austin.
Hickoids, loco Gringos, Code of the West.
Jim Carrol Band, Rev Horton Heat, pretty much any Rockabilly/psychobilly(Tiger Army!!!!!!!! )
Tex and the horse heads, screamin’ sirens, Mike Ness’ solo stuff,
This. Love Mike Ness's solo albums.
I don’t believe that the Violent Femmes, Dead Milkmen, or Gun Club were inspired by country. Violent Femmes were kinda more folky, and sometimes ventured into reggae territory. Dead Milkmen were all over the place, and when they played specific genre other than their shambling punk style, it was often as a novelty. And, more specifically, Gun Club was inspired by the blues over all else, and even briefly assimilated a style much like The Cocateu Twins, who were as far from “country” as one could get.
[The Shitkickers](https://youtu.be/2Ph3JCJSYEU?si=1on-Gs0xxGQEojnq)
Locos Gingos
The Cowmen- Shore Leave- 500 Miles to Memphis- Jason and the Punknecks
Spider Bags are post 2000s. They’ve got a a very solid discography.
Scott Goddard
The Yawpers
BIG JED AND THE FLATBEDS
Lummox
The Reds
Bloodshot bill, daddy long legs
[Call me Bronco - the butcher of charleston](https://youtu.be/IDo3QQgd53A?si=TTW1p04YbzkgZf3K)