The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash Walk Alone Ultimatum Music by David Pilot
	First impressions of a band are usually difficult to overcome. For example, first time this reviewer ever heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit," it was ballgame for Nirvana. Of course, in that instance, the disgust was warranted and remains to this day. But as a rule, those first impressions set the tone for one's opinion. So how do you reconcile a band name like Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash? It's either incredibly cool or unspeakably crass. When the packet from the label arrived, it was obvious they know that too. The first thing that jumps out in the band summary is how vocalist Mark Stuart got the Man in Black to sign off on the concept. In a piece of marketing mastery showcasing titanium balls, Stuart walked up to Cash after a show, introduced himself as a long-time fan, and managed to steer the conversation toward his own musical venture. When Johnny asked what Stuart's band was called, Stuart swallowed his pride and mustered the courage to say "Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash." Silence. Then more silence. Then Johnny Cash himself said, "I like it." So here we are. The Bastards came to be in the summer of '95 when Stuart began to pay more attention to the Willies and Waylons and Merles that he'd grown up listening to in San Diego. Coming from a blues performance background, Stuart decided it was time to put a band together that respected the outlaw country tradition and could carry the torch in today's music world. The standard dues were paid in shoebox beer halls, and showed a return when Merle Haggard himself handpicked the Bastards to open for him on his '99 tour. From there it's been a whirlwind, playing with the likes of Junior Brown, Lucinda Williams, Merle, BR5-49 and Red Meat, along with the usual gang of music legends at Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnics. This past March they made their second appearance at the Austin, TX SXSW extravaganza, and have now released their first full CD, "Walk Alone," and are touring to support it. The current Bastard lineup includes the aforementioned Mark Stuart on vocals and guitar, Dean Cote on lead guitar, bassist Jeff Roberts, Joey Galvan on drums, and guest pedal-steel player Max Butler of Red Meat. (look for a Red Meat review on this site soon). They're accompanied on "Walk Alone" by an impressive list of session players with deep roots in the style of music being created here. There's Taras Prodaniuk, whose bass you've heard driving some of Dwight Yoakam's best cuts, Brett Tuggle of Chris Isaak's band (OK, not country, but still some solid musicianship), and Steve Hunter, who has ONLY handled guitar duties for "lightweights" like Bob Dylan. The standout track on this disc is a rendition of Haggard's timeless 'Silver Wings', which seems only right given the Hag's status as a major benefactor of the Bastards. However, that's not to say this album isn't worth a listen. Not by a long shot. It's just one that works as more of a whole rather than leaning on the success of individual tracks. It also lays the foundation for what should be a very promising career for the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. From the opening riffs of 'Texas Sun' Stuart and company give notice that they will serve up crunchy and solid beerhall and roadtrip music with no apologies in sight. The album as a whole sounds like a West Texas wind whipping around sand-blown pieces of yesterday. While the music itself often keeps a dancing beat, the mood goes from rowdy who gives a damn to introspective and back seamlessly. Hope, despair, joy, sorrow. All here for your listening pleasure. All but two tracks were written by Stuart, with help on 'Lonesome Sky' from bassist Christopher Michaels. The two covers show outstanding taste, with the aforementioned 'Silver Wings' accompanied by Dale Watson's 'Truck Stop in LaGrange'. There is plenty of stuff to dig into here, from the black coffee and eighteen wheelers in 'Interstate Cannonball' through the mystery of 'Memphis Woman' and the haunting 'Lonesome Sky' with its hints of a dying Spanish sunset exploding over a nowhere border town miles from the woman who matters. This is solid Bakersfield country, straight from the land that spawned Buck and Dwight and Merle, and it does credit to it roots. There's room to grow and imagery to expand on, for sure, but Stuart's vocals and the band's overall tight performance promise that the growth will come. 'Silver Wings' shows exactly what these guys are capable of. They've added a smooth Southwestern spice to the song, and in large part made it their own. While nobody touches Merle, it is not a stretch to say that if you heard this version first it would take some of the shine off the original when it finally touched your ears. Heady stuff for a debut CD. The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash aren't exactly household names, yet. It's obvious from this disc, though, that they are an act to catch next time they're in town. Like a lot of bands with debut LPs, these fellas are probably going to be even better heard live for the time being. But "Walk Alone" is worth your money, and will definitely be one you'll find yourself going back to from time to time. The Sons mix together a musical style that often sounds familiar while managing to stay original. The disc will get in your head and stay, and you'll be glad it does. If they can expand on this foundation, they will be one of everybody's favorite bands very quickly. Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard said so. We agree. Ckeck The Bastards out at: www.bsojc.com   You can contact David Pilot at: tailgunner-at-rockzilla.net

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