Punk country sounds like a mashup that is off-the-charts strange. Punk and country? I mean, c'mon. Is it The Ramones doing Dolly Parton? Iggy Pop covering Conway Twitty? Well, not actually. It's more complicated and nuanced. And maybe not as bizarre as all that, either.
Videos by Wide Open Country
So-called "cowpunk" sound, per Master Class, originated in the late 1970s. The term refers to bands and vocalists who incorporated elements of country - the signature instrumentation and sonic intonations - into their own genre, whether it be rock, punk, or pop. Endless innovation is what makes music great. Being fearless enough to scale long-standing barriers and create something new. And thrilling.
Some Notable Cowpunk Bands
Practitioners of cowpunk included Social Distortion, Blood on the Saddle, Nine Pound Hammer, The Cramps, Violent Femmes, Meat Puppets, The Gun Club, and Los Lobos. Per the outlet, "The punk-country fusion of Hank Williams III, a bona fide legacy performer whose father and grandfather were country legends Hank Williams and Hank Williams, Jr., respectively, also falls under the cowpunk umbrella." Now that is interesting!
Let's look harder at examples of what we mean. The Reddit community did, as have others. Social Distortion, Pet Shop Boys, Jason and the Scorchers, and Lone Justice merit a thoughtful second look.
'Ring Of Fire' By Johnny Cash, Cowpunk Version By Social Distortion
"Ring Of Fire" was co-written in 1963 by Merle Kilgore and Cash's wife, June Carter Cash. It has entered the country music canon as what genius.com called " the biggest hit of [Cash's] career." The RIAA gave the song certified-gold status. Listen to what Social Distortion does with this track. The galloping, fierce iteration of the song they did in 1990 with its insistent drum beat and equally wild guitars will knock your socks off. Reckless and rough, Johnny Cash would approve, I think.
'Always On My Mind' By Willie Nelson, Cowpunk Version By Pet Shop Boys
The amped-up version of the Willie Nelson classic by Pet Shop Boys works. It just does. The song was recorded by Brenda Lee, Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Eric Clapton, and even Elvis. Perhaps the most famous version, however, is Nelson's. Pet Shop Boys made it danceable and somewhat disco-inflected. Fun and footloose.
'Take Me Home, Country Roads' By John Denver, Cowpunk Cover By Jason And The Scorchers
This familiar gentle ballad by John Denver, which was among his signature songs, was given the full-out cowpunk treatment by Jason and the Scorchers. They have also covered songs by Bob Dylan, George Jones, and Hank Williams. The almost psychedelic-sounding, pounding drum beat and insane guitars stand the song on its head, but in a good way. This revved-up version might have made John Denver smile. That is what it did for me.
'Don't Toss Us Away' By Cowpunk Band Lone Justice, Country Version By Patty Loveless
Loveless' smooth, powerful vocals lend emotion to this 1980s song in which the narrator begs her beloved not to discard their relationship. Cowpunk band Lone Justice does the original version that will make you sit up. The majestic voice of lead singer Maria McKee and the solemn, restrained orchestration get the job done admirably on this track. It's more country infused than punk. The tune's melancholy aura and heart-rending theme emerge clearly thanks to Lone Justice, which actually recorded the song a few years before Loveless did.
