cowpunk Archives - Vinyl From The Vault

Volk “Stand the Test”

sfilzen — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 21:19:54 +0000

Volk “Stand the Test” 2023. Very limited edition (25 copies) double-sided lathe cut EP on two discs. Romanus Records. Also included in the bundle are five super-high quality postcards with photos and lyrics, four adorable buttons, a holographic Volk sticker plus one mystery item (which I’m guessing is the page from the Nostradamus graphic novel – on the back is a nice note from the band).

We got to see our favorite cowpunk band this past weekend up in Appleton at Mile of Music and they absolutely slayed the stage. Drummer/vocalist Eleot Reich and guitarist/vocalist Chris Lowe performed a barn-burning mix of older favorites (like “Honey Bee” and “Welcome to Cashville“) plus the songs that appeared – remixed – on this EP. Disc One has two versions of the new song “Stand the Test” – the standard single variant plus the Dubais Bros Remix. It’s a pop-orientated lightly swinging ballad (with synths!) that recalls some 80’s-era Stevie Nicks, at least to my ears. Disc Two has the darkly-tinged, touch-of-evil cow-goth track “I Fed Animals” – the version that is on their 2021 LP Cashville plus the industrial-goth goes to the farm remix “I Fed DarkNESynths.” I believe both remixes feature Electric Six’s Christopher Tait and Matt Van.

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Nine Pound Hammer “Hayseed Timebomb”

sfilzen — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:00:12 +0000

Nine Pound Hammer “Hayseed Timebomb” 1994. Crypt Records. High-speed cowpunk/psychobilly from Kentucky, Nine Pound Hammer’s Hayseed Timebomb was their third release and their last LP for 10 years (they broke up for awhile when guitarist Blaine Cartwright left to form Nashville Pussy). This record has been in the should-it-stay-or-should-it-go pile for awhile now so I’m finally giving it a real listen. Thankfully most of the record leans toward Motörhead-influenced heavy garage punk (a sound more fully realized with Cartwright’s Nashville Pussy) than the cow part of cowpunk on bangers like the title track “Hayseed Timebomb,” “Run Fat Boy Run,” “Devil’s Playground” and the impossibly fast “Steamroller.” I’m less fond of the hillbilly-forward songs like “Stranded Outside Tater Knob” (although that’s a great title), their reworking of the old-timey/traditional “Wreck of the Old 97″ and “Shotgun in a Chevy.” I’m not sure how often I’ll listen to Hayseed Timebomb but there’s enough good stuff on the record to keep it.

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Nine Pound Hammer “The Mud, the Blood, and the Beers”

sfilzen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 16:12:45 +0000

Nine Pound Hammer “The Mud, the Blood, and the Beers” 1988. Crypt Records. Punk meets speed metal meets a crazy cowboy, Nine Pound Hammer can be considered among the forerunners to the cowpunk/psychobilly/roots punk genre. Guitarist Blaine Cartwright formed the band with vocalist Scott Luallen and Cartwright would later form the speedpunk (with heavy nods to Motorhead) band Nashville Pussy.

“The Mud, the Blood, and the Beers” is Nine Pound Hammer’s first of six full length LP’s and roars out with Ramones-style speed punk with a hillbilly flavor on such tracks as “I Don’t Think So” and “Little Help.” Other songs like “He’s Gone” and “She’s So Cool” are more hardcore punk, punctuated with screaming feedback licks and shoutspeak lyrics. So put on yer shitkickers and prepare for whiplash-speed headbanging in a mosh pit.

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