Slang Chickens is the kind of band that makes you want to start a band. Taking a very generous definition of “alternative”, the SoCal quartet combines alt-country, punk, post rock, and pop in ways that seem to redefine the very boundaries they are exploring. Last night at The Echo they began their February residency with fellow SoCal band Papa, and the first song’s bridge told us the audience everything we needed to know about the band. The lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist fell to the ground in a frenzied solo, and the lead electric guitarist unselfconsciously marched up to the first brave row of the audience, shredding for their enjoyment as much as his own. It was the opposite of cocky; more like a genuine interest in sharing their music with the crowd. He later traded his electric guitar for a lap steel, proving he was equally proficient on both instruments as well as providing backup vocals along with the drummer. I can’t think of any bands that can make such a diverse range of styles feel as natural as their first language, and in that regard Slang Chickens is in a leage of its own. Does the band demand a new genre, or even an anti-genre? “Post-genre rock” perhaps? Check out their video for “Grandfather’s Gun” here, and follow along with the timeless and nostalgic lyrics:

I want to hold my grandfather’s gun

Ain’t gonna hurt no one

Just a little taste of where I come from

I wanna hold that gun

Slang Chickens -Grandfather’s Gun from aaron farley on Vimeo.

If you missed them last night, catch Slang Chickens every Monday night in February for FREE at The Echo. They will also be playing several official showcases at South by Southwest in March, so if you’re in Austin for the festival next month be sure to check back on Slang Chickens’ Myspace page or Facebook page for show details! Their debut eponymous album dropped late 2009 and is now available on iTunes here. Their brand new EP My Floor is now available on their website here.