Dash Rip Rock - Dash Does Shaver

Recently inducted into Louisiana's Music Hall of Fame, the rock-and-rollbillies of Dash Rip Rock have been making tenacious, country-infused soul anthems for over a decade. The trio was originally based in Baton Rogue and began as a response to the post-punk new-wave scene. With a 19th album under their belt, DRR has been delivering the jammy twang of sweet southern punk fusion across the country-- logging over a million touring miles in the name of "high-octane" roots rocks. The consistently tight band of talented head bangers hasn't stopped rocking out or perfecting their sound and it shows in their latest release, Dash Does Shaver. A tribute to the outlaw country music legend, Billy Joe Shaver, Dash Does Shaver pays homage to 12 acclaimed tracks from the honky-tonk legend's extensive discography. The album starts with the regretful "Living A Loving Lie," but quickly takes things down a notch in "I Couldn't Be Me Without You." Heartfelt crooning and longing turns into a rhythmic war-cry in "Moonshine & Indian Blood" before adding a dash of honky-tonk in the musical biography "Slim Chance & The Can't Hardly Playboys." Less rock and roll than their last album, Black Liquor, Dash Does Shaver captures a more soulful side of the punked-out country boys who have found their roots in Shaver. With guest appearances by Tab Benoit and Waylon Thibodeaux, Dash Does Shaver is a musical narrative that not only showcases the work of a legend, but proves an interesting growth for Dash as they breathe life into the Shaver material with the conviction of seasoned veterans. --Lauren Adam