2008 Woodie Awards
McPherson Struts: Shocker
Jeff Pruitt
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: Reviews
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Before a recent McPherson Struts show, I heard drummer and frontman Bucky Warren describe his band's music as "y'allternative."
That's a pretty good description.
With songs about drunken encounters with cops, pick-up trucks and a Johnny Cash cover to boot, all delivered in Warren's southern drawl, the band's affection for country music and their southern roots are proudly evident.
But, while the lyrics and delivery are country-tinged, the music itself is less so. Played at a faster tempo, the songs on their 2005 release titled "Shocker," a four-song EP, resemble punk rock more than country.
The first song, "Ain't Been Drinkin'" is a sarcastic apology to a cop who has just pulled someone over.
The lines, "Give me back my license and turn off them blue lights/ I appreciate you reading me my rights, but I ain't been drinkin' tonight" offers a glimpse at the often humorous lyrics on the album.
"Understand Your Man," a Johnny Cash song, is preceded by a sarcastic interlude featuring a church service and a reverend preaching about a rock-n-roll conspiracy based on the fact that Jesus Christ and Johnny Cash have the same initials.
The last two songs on the album, the appropriately titled "Truck Song," and "Whitley Flats" contain the band's trademark lyrics and some good guitar solos as well.
On "Truck Song," Warren sings about how "the more I learn about the opposite sex, the better I like this beat up wreck."
"Whitley Flats," which adds a harmonica to their usual three-piece lineup of drums, bass and guitar, includes the lines, "I'm just a butter bean in the fatback. That's my life."
So, while the mixing of these two seemingly different genres of music may seem odd at first, it works in this case.
By combining the anti-establishment nature and working class mentality that exists in both "outlaw country" and punk rock, McPherson Struts has managed to create their own unique sound.
But don't take my word for it.
The band plays occasionally at Brother's Bar in Jacksonville and will be performing at The Nick in Birmingham on Tuesday, January 31 and again on Friday, February 3.
That's a pretty good description.
With songs about drunken encounters with cops, pick-up trucks and a Johnny Cash cover to boot, all delivered in Warren's southern drawl, the band's affection for country music and their southern roots are proudly evident.
But, while the lyrics and delivery are country-tinged, the music itself is less so. Played at a faster tempo, the songs on their 2005 release titled "Shocker," a four-song EP, resemble punk rock more than country.
The first song, "Ain't Been Drinkin'" is a sarcastic apology to a cop who has just pulled someone over.
The lines, "Give me back my license and turn off them blue lights/ I appreciate you reading me my rights, but I ain't been drinkin' tonight" offers a glimpse at the often humorous lyrics on the album.
"Understand Your Man," a Johnny Cash song, is preceded by a sarcastic interlude featuring a church service and a reverend preaching about a rock-n-roll conspiracy based on the fact that Jesus Christ and Johnny Cash have the same initials.
The last two songs on the album, the appropriately titled "Truck Song," and "Whitley Flats" contain the band's trademark lyrics and some good guitar solos as well.
On "Truck Song," Warren sings about how "the more I learn about the opposite sex, the better I like this beat up wreck."
"Whitley Flats," which adds a harmonica to their usual three-piece lineup of drums, bass and guitar, includes the lines, "I'm just a butter bean in the fatback. That's my life."
So, while the mixing of these two seemingly different genres of music may seem odd at first, it works in this case.
By combining the anti-establishment nature and working class mentality that exists in both "outlaw country" and punk rock, McPherson Struts has managed to create their own unique sound.
But don't take my word for it.
The band plays occasionally at Brother's Bar in Jacksonville and will be performing at The Nick in Birmingham on Tuesday, January 31 and again on Friday, February 3.