That’s entirely accurate. The Van Dangs LOVE country. I mean they love country like I’ve never seen anyone love country. And their love for country rubs off on ya too, for sure. I’ve always been a fan of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and for years that was the extent of my enjoyment for any country that could have ever been considered mainstream (okay, I totally loved Dolly Parton in third grade and still have a soft spot for her). I’ve always been more into bluegrass and folk as far as country goes. Since I’ve started hanging out with these crazy kids, though, they’ve opened up a new world of country for me with Wayne Hancock, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Buck Owens, etc.

While as much as each one of these guys love country, they also collectively listen to punk, rock, blues, metal, you name it. Each member can identify himself in a few different scenes, and I think that’s where the bit of tongue-in-cheek factor comes in. Their music is genuine and whole-hearted, but they’re out to have fun and make sure everyone else does as well.

Honestly, I think if they flipped things around and focused on the more somber, harsh side of country, THAT would actually be an affront to the genre, making a mockery of it. It would be fake for them, and that’s just not how these guys roll.

Conversely though, I do like a fair number of cowpunk and alt-country acts as well. What does that mean? I don’t know exactly, but for me there’s a pretty thin line between playing with the genre a little bit without being disrespectful, and doing the full-on hipster-ironic thing.

The Van Dangs are just on the hipster side of that line for me. I could be totally wrong, but I just don’t really hear them doing much beyond playing mock-outlaw country meant for tongue-in-cheek enjoyment. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I prefer my country a bit more straight-up personally.