Southern Culture On The SKids

this schtick is more than gimmick

Ditch Diggin' (Safe House)

Southern Culture on the Skids

By Kory Wilcoxson

So I'm flipping through my latest Rolling Stone, checking out the charts, when I see that No. 10 on the Alternative Chart is none other than those bumpin' country bumpkins Southern Culture on the Skids.

If you're not familiar with SCOTS, you're missing out on one of the best little Southern fried whacked-out trios to ever chomp on a chicken bone.

SCOTS reminds me of another completely kooky regional cult favorite, the New Duncan Imperials. Both groups rely on tremendous energy and crude, primitive humor.

On Ditch Diggin', SCOTS offers up more tasty treats than supper on the farm. By crossing Barney Fife with Grandpa from "Hee Haw," SCOTS comes up with gems like "Too Much Pork for Just One Fork," and the boot knockin' "Put Your Teeth Up on the Windowsill."

But don't think SCOTS is just a musical gimmick dressed up in overalls; these folks can downright cut loose, as evidenced by the scorching instrumentals "Tunafish Every Day" and "Rumors of Surf."

The Nashville Network wouldn't touch them with a 10-foot pitch fork, which means the twang of SCOTS is safe for your listening enjoyment.