Slakjaw

The term “bumcore” pretty much sums up what Slakjaw is all about, so it’s fitting that these modern-day hobos (or maybe they just have a hankering for hobo culture) have so titled their new five-song EP. Singing about trains and whiskey, Slakjaw injects a punk fervor into its unique foot-stomping, bluesy honky-tonk hybrid. From the get-go, these guys hit the rails running with “Ridin’ on That Train,” which comes across sounding like Sun Records-era Johnny Cash meets Hank III. “Tobacco Song,” meanwhile, with its fast, train-like country beat and chugging gutbucket bass, packs a similar enthusiasm. The band clearly has an affinity for bygone music, but while these songs feel authentically old, gritty and dusty, they’ve got enough modern vigor to make you want to ride the Slakjaw train through a few more whistle-stops.