story by Nicholas Clar

Are country music influences and crossovers becoming the new "in" thing? The pop stylings of the Dixie Chicks dominate music charts with every new release; Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray has collaborated with Shania Twain on the song "Party for Two"; and recently St. Louis rapper Nelly recorded the track "Over and Over" with the assistance of Tim McGraw. So with the fusion of rock, rap, pop and country, indicators suggest an imminent revival of mullets, cowboy hats and buttoned-up flannel shirts. However, the populous may be able to circumvent this oncoming phase and not have to fear an onslaught of excessive hair in the back of the neck in order to enjoy such jams.

Without rocking mullets, cowboy hats or flannel, the Outlaw Family Band has successfully fused rock with blues, country and bluegrass for four years - before Nelly had probably even heard of Tim McGraw. And with such an eclectic range of influences, they refuse to accept a formal label for their music - allowing listeners to simply experience it without a previously formed premonition created by stereotyping music into a genre.

"It's kind of frustrating because people want to put a label on us. But we never came together like, 'oh, we want to make this sound,'" says Ben Wright, banjo player for Chicago's Outlaw Family Band. "It's rock 'n' roll with a lot of bluegrass," replies bass player Daniel Padgett. "Ben likes to call it kick-ass country music."

WRIGHT'S INNER VIEW "I've had people come up to me and say, 'all I ever listen to is electronic music. You're the very first band that I've ever heard that has a country leaning that I truly enjoy."

With a unique combination of styles and instruments, the group's formation was as unlikely and random as their type of successfully-blended music. Padgett, moving to Chicago from Oakland in 1995, met lead vocalist James Weigel and acoustic guitar player Justin Gillam while at school. A mutual respect developed among them from late night jam sessions, and the makings of a family were established. "None of the band members are originally from Chicago," Wright says. "We all moved out here and met randomly. That's how it all came together."

Padgett and Weigel coined the existing group name, Outlaw Family Band, as a nod of respect to their outlaw country music influences such as Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, mixed with the creativity that resulted from a late night of alcohol consumption. "Well, the word 'band' was just added because we needed a third word," Padgett admits. "It just wasn't cool to have it as Outlaw Family."

After heavy touring, which included stops at regional cities and the Southeast, releasing an EP serving as their demo and going through a restructuring of the band into what it is now, the Outlaw Family Band is finishing up and releasing their self-titled, full length debut in March 2005. And coupled with a hopeful party at Double Door upon the album's release, Padgett, Wright and company are hoping for big things, but are content to let their music speak for them.

"I'm a traditional bluegrass banjo player," Wright says. "So coming in to play a rock song has really forced me to do different things that I've never conceived of. It has been really good for me musically and good for everyone. We are all forced to move outside the box to accommodate everyone else." The result is a cornucopia of sounds that preludes a musical feast, led by the one of a kind crooning of Weigel. From the atmosphere and visual imagery created by the diverse sounds, audiences may expect to see tumbleweed roll across the stage or a shootout to erupt. However, despite the lack of such country music cliches, the music remains engaging and fun.

"There's some very non-country stuff going on. The sense that we get from things is that we appeal to a wide audience," Wright says. "I've had people come up to me and say, 'all I ever listen to is electronic music. You're the very first band that I've ever heard that has a country leaning that I truly enjoy.'"

Outlaw Family Band :: with Honeydogs :: Martyrs' :: January 8.