The Cowslingers

Cowpunk at heart but hard to pin down, the Cowslingers worked a sound that the critic Ed Masley found difficult to classify. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the band drew on rock 'n' roll, Americana and rockabilly, and though they collected awards as a country act, their music bore little resemblance to mainstream American country of the 21st century. Listeners were more likely to hear Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash in it.

The story begins in 1991, when singer Greg Miller was accepted into Kent State University, and the band released its debut EP, Bad Booze Rodeo, in 1993 on Drink 'n' Drive Records. Off the Wagon followed in 1994, then Truckdriving later that year. Heavy touring across Ohio led to dates on the East and West Coasts, and Miller later asked his brother Ken to join as bassist. A Fistful of Pesetas arrived on the Spanish label Rock & Roll Inc. in 1996, followed by West Virginia Dog Track Boogie in 1997 and Americana a Go Go in 1999. The Cleveland Free Times named them Best Country Act that year and Best Punk/Hardcore Act in 2000, the same year they issued Boot 'n' Rally and Coast to Coast. Bull's Eye, a compilation of rare tracks on Orange Recordings, came out in 2002 before the band split in 2004.