If asked why they play rock and roll, I would guess the guys in Speedbuggy USA would respond that it’s all about big fun. Certain records and live shows don’t mean a damn thing if the musicians and audience aren’t having a good time. Cowboys and Aliens is an obnoxious barroom rock and roll record with a healthy dose of country blood trickling down, in the tradition of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard...but updated a bit. Speedbuggy USA, with frontman Timbo’s howlin' and growlin' vocals on top of blaring guitars and rip-roarin' drums, would do well on a bill with bands like Rocket from the Crypt and Social Distortion.

In preparation for making a new album, the guys got an old El Dorado and cruised the Southwest of the US and Mexico. Hanging out in sleazy bars and motels, they gathered up the drunk and prostituted spirit that is this fine country and came back home with a wild-west story with supernatural flair. Certain songs come directly from the band's traveling escapades, while others take a little liberty with what might be found out there -- but it’s all fun, fun, fun with a hot lick solo or slide on the axe around every corner.

The album opens with "GTO", the story of a modern day cowboy getting over lost love the way a real man does: getting drunk and hitting the open road in a muscle car. And then there’s a gigantic guitar solo. "Big Blue Sky" is next, and it’s less rough and a little more lazy, but still on the road...and then there are these hooky, sliding, melodic dueling solos on the guitars. Later, sister’s foolin’ around with the boys in the town and there’s this monster guitar solo... Repeat a few times and you get the idea. Get a big belt buckle and a bottle of something stiff!