 Media Credit: WHITECOWBELL.COM
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What can be said of a band riddled with self-propelled allegations of substance abuse, enveloped by mystery, and made up of a veritable dozen seemingly slacked-jawed yokels? White Cowbell Oklahoma is anything but a standard rock-outfit, and its upcoming performance at Le Swimming on January 23 should prove just that.
The band's surprisingly listenable music is enhanced (perhaps marred, depending on one's perspective) by a larger-than-life characterization of Southern 'culture.' Its debut album,
Cencerro Blanco, the name of a hallucinogenic plant from South America, is an homage to all things Southern.
Song titles include the stereotypical "Shot a Gamblin' Man," more bizarre entries such as "Put the South in Your Mouth," and the twisted medley, "Cencerro Blanco: Wyle E. Peyote."
References to alcohol, sex and narcotics abound, pointing towards obvious influences such as Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, KISS and ZZ Top. Incidentally, the band employed Bill Narum, the artist who designed ZZ Top's most famous albums, to create its cover art. Just when you thought you had seen the last topless cowgirl riding a tractor through the desert, Narum comes along and changes all that.
For those who think these boys (and girls) are not marketable, they brought in Nicola Fox-yes, the porn star-Chris Murphy and Rockin' Ronnie Hawkins for cameos in the band's recently released video for "San Antone."
Is superstardom on the horizon? Probably not. But lead singer and guitarist Clem boldly stated that he'd have these words for a major label executive: "I'd say get on your knees and give me 20." Excuse me?
As is often the case with such bands, WCO is most appreciated when seen in concert. The "White Cowbell Oklahoma boogie woogie rock 'n' roll, rhythm 'n' blues experience" would be, perhaps, best described in Clem's own words.
"Every show is a complete bonanza, a festival of senses. It is an explosion of lights, sound, and flesh and sin, and substance abuse," he brags. "We got sex, we got chainsaws cutting shit up, we got people just spewing things all over the place. We got wet T-shirt contests that start off that way and turn into massive onstage orgies... We can't even stop this, we can't even control this."
The expected rock star bravado does not rest. "There is nobody on earth that can come to a White Cowbell Oklahoma show and go home and say that they are not changed... We're gonna take over the world, and George W. isn't even gonna know what hit him," claims Clem. "Everybody will be just running naked through the streets, rockin' like it's nobody's business"
Between the talk of live onstage sex and excessive partying, it is difficult to discern whether this is real life, or merely a series of clever publicity stunts. But let there be no mistake-according to Clem, this is no act.
"This is no parody, this is no joke," he deadpans. "There's no such thing as parody in our universe. This is rock 'n' roll maximized for your enjoyment, and I hope Montreal is anticipating it with bated breath."
So whether you like your rock country-fried or not, White Cowbell Oklahoma promises to be more than a standard performance. Whatever your fancy, come with an open mind and you may just leave as a whole new person. Or so they say...
