Ever wondered what the bar band in Hell's saloon would sound like? Well, look no further than Jason and the Punknecks, a rowdy hillbilly quartet from the deep-south redneck backwoods of Los Angeles, Californee. These rough n' tumble sons of bitches play a fine country tune with a mean twang that could make even the most sissified city-boy cry for Dixie.

Handling the lead vocals, hubcap percussion, occasional mandolin, and even more occasional guitar is Jason, a tattooed and bearded auto-mechanic looking guy with more grit in his voice than a thousand hardcore singers. Singing along with, as well as switching guitar and hubcap with Jason is the Heidi-Klum-via-trailer-park looking Polly, who wails like a banshee while periodically giving soul-shivering stares and glares into the audience. Together, the two of them sound like a Satanic Johnny and June Carter Cash. Handling lead and slide guitar is Woody, who is always on point and sometimes looks astonished at what he is doing, and he's not the only one. His reverb effects add a splash of psychedelia to the otherwise-straightforward country. Lefty, the backbone of the drumless band, provides a grounding melody and rhythm to the cacophony that the other three produce.

With such introductions as, "This song's about killin'" and, "This song's about drinkin'," it's easy to imagine what to expect from a Jason and the Punknecks show, but seeing them at the Parkside Lounge last Wednesday or at Trash Bar last Monday defied all expectations. With all the presumptions of a simpleton's redneck show, they surprisingly have a lot of heart and soul, ingredients necessary to turn any ordinary country band into extraordinary. This isn't to say they didn't have fun. "Never Trust a Pirate" offered a murderous sea-chantey while their covers of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Every Rose Has its Thorn" became almost unrecognizable if not for the familiar lyrical refrains. Jason and the Punknecks are currently on tour, and have to be seen to be believed.