Texas' border long ago lost its ability to contain honky tonk music and the October 24th release of Kickin' Up Dust by the Honky Tonk Disciples, of Hammond, Louisiana, is further attestation to that fact. Front man Michael Howes, a self-proclaimed huge Gram Parsons fan, maintains that "country music is best when performed by rock players." He cites the Rolling Stones' "Sweet Virginia" to substantiate his assertion, but one can go further back in time to augment his claim. Jerry Lee Lewis, who, coincidentally, also hails from Louisiana, is another rock player that's turned out some pretty good country music, and his unmistakable influence can be heard on track ten, "Shake It Off." What kind of music is this? Is it alt-country? Americana? Roots? Cajun? It's all kinds. All kinds of good! 

The first song, "When I Drink I Cheat," evoked a rather tepid response with its near mainstream sound and timeworn lyrics about booze and infidelity. However, the strong guitar playing and nice fiddle work caused me to stick with this CD and I'm glad I did. On track two, "Too Late For Me," the influence of the producer, legendary Georgia Satellites front man and Yayhoos member Dan Baird, becomes evident. The song's driving tempo is reminiscent of vintage Georgia Satellites and the great bass and low-end guitar work is evocative of a honky tonk Duane Eddy. "Lonely Town" is earmarked by frenetic, freight train-like drumming and lyrics that speak to how loneliness can make it hard to listen to Waylon sing ramblin' songs, Patsy sing love songs or Willie sing hurtin' songs. 

"Pill Poppin', Pistol Packin' Woman," with brazen lyrics about a mama thinkin' her son's girlfriend is easy and a daddy warnin' "I ain't the first," allows a peek into the "long and loud" nights of a dysfunctional, countrified Sid and Nancy. A great, catchy opening guitar lick is the footer to a great song and "Dry County Blues" has one that can stand proud alongside the likes of some that the great Bill Kirchen has laid down. The opening lick draws you in and the captivating guitar breaks keep you there. The midway point brings the first song that can be characterized as a ballad, "Someday." Some skilled fiddle work is on display as are Michael Howes' vocals. Kickin' Up Dust repeatedly reveals that Mr. Howes is a damn good honky tonk singer. 

"Big City Lights" picks up the tempo and lays down the beat on a Georgia Satellites "coulda been" song that proves unequivocally that this is a honky tonk band capable of firing on all cylinders. These are polished, professional musicians, not of the garage player variety. There is a distinct difference between alt-country and traditional country that's epitomized on "Truckstop Girl." Alt-country speaks forthrightly and directly to topics, such as sleazy, trashy truck stop girls, that traditional country leaves to innuendo. The strong, textured vocals make this a song all of us closet Jerry Springer watchers have to love! I absolutely love the bass playing on "What's That Say About Love" which has a swing sound that's a testament to the Honky Tonk Disciples' musical diversity. 

"Shake It Off" flat out rocks. It rocks the honky tonk, ice-house, juke joint or dive beer joint, as the case may be, and I don't know which sounds greasier- the wailin' harmonica or the dirty guitar. The song moves at a pace that would have challenged The Killer in his prime. "Hellbent" is a rollicking chain gang song that's played with the same ferocity and aplomb as the disk's other rockers. It's the ferocity that makes it easy to envision someone along the lines of Hank III singing it. The disk's finale, "Hard As Hell," features some nice acoustic guitar strumming and lyrically proves again that the inequality of the sexes remains as pervasive as ever in honky tonk music. Because, ya know, us men are gonna continue actin' like asses and you women should just keep on acceptin' and lovin' us…
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Lead singer Michael Howes doesn’t think of the band’s shows as a religious experience, but they might just be saving country music one show at a time. “Kickin’ Up Dust” is a rollicking soundtrack to hard living with songs like “Pill Poppin’ Pistol Packin’ Woman” & “When I Drink I Cheat”. 
There are songs perfect for two-steps and others perfect for head banging. The bands live shows are a raucous time too, that appeals to the younger crowd. Lot’s of drinking, dancing, and energy…
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"Holy &%$# this band is awesome! As country as country can get. 
Some of the best songwriting and dance floor shuffling tunes we have heard here at RMR in 2006. 
The Honky Tonk Disciples have captured the essence of country music whilst adding their own up to date flavor to each track on this CD. Their music is modern but has that true country honky tonk sound that originally attracted millions of fans from around the globe to the country music scene. “Country Radio if you are not spinning this album, you're not country”
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Boot scooting two step tune? Check. ("When I Drink I Cheat") Americana style traveling song? Check ("Lonely Town") Heartfelt baby-take-me-back songs? Check. ("Someday" and "Hard As Hell") Bad ass southern rawk songs? Check. ("Dry County Blues" and "Big City Lights") Hip shaking blues number with screaming harmonica? Check. ("Shake It Off') This is hard hitting, high impact country that makes you realize just how soft most country has become. _Kickin' Up Dust_ proves that the Honky Tonk Disciples are firing on all cylinders and here's hoping their heading to a honky tonk or biker bar near you.
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