Meet the Vandoliers

For someone like me who has never been closer to Texas than New York City, the words "cow punk" and "Texas" really don't seem to go together. Sure the Sex Pistols infamously started their doomed American tour in Texas, but let's be real – who normally puts Texas and the abandon of punk in the same sentence?

However, putting aside their twat of a governor and his attempt to resurrect a version of the 1950s that never existed outside of some conservative Christian's imagination and an oil business who only cares about raping the land, there is a history of musical rebellion in this state. Ray Willey Hubbard wrote "Red Neck Mothers" back in the 1970s, Willie Nelson and his extended friends and family have been bucking the conservative tide for decades, and the late great Kinky Friedman ("Ride Em Jewboy" and "They Don't Make Jew's Like Jesus Anymore") not only offended everybody, but ran a pretty good campaign for governor early in the 2000s.

So the outsider, or the contrary view point anyway, has always been there; you just have to hunt around a bit in order to see it. The existence of the Vandoliers, and their brand of infectious, exuberant, riled up, and in-your-face cow punk isn't too much of a surprise. However, even among such stellar examples of what used to be known as Outlaw country, this seven piece band stands out. 

As they prepare to release their fifth studio album, Life Behind Bars, the band and the personal have found themselves more and more in the spotlight. While they've been on an extensive touring schedule opening for acts like Flogging Molly and The Old 97's and been garnering attention for their no holds barred performances in venues around the world, they became viral sensations in late 2023.

They were scheduled to play a gig in Tennessee the same day that state's governor signed into law banning drag shows where someone under 18 might be "corrupted". The band decided to play that gig in drag. The event was so well publicized they also took the extra step of auctioning off the dresses they wore to raise money for Tennessee LGBQT+ organizations.

The event also turned out to be a watershed moment for lead singer Jenni Rose. At the time she was still presenting as a man. This was the first time she'd ever worn a dress in public and realization of how right it felt brought everything to a head for her. 

So here they are, a hard-rocking, good time, honky-tonk playing band of tattooed and ball-cap wearing musicians playing to some of the rowdiest audiences around and their lead singer comes out as a trans women. 

Does the band change? Nope, they still play the same high energy in your face type of music for the same crowds. Having had a sneak preview of their new album - review forthcoming - the one difference is the lyrics have way more emotional depth than ever before. 

Rose has reached into herself and created songs of power and strength. The band has moved right along with her and created music just a potent as before, but with more nuance and an emotional range matching their singer's commitment.

Vandoliers are fast joining the pantheon of great bands from Texas who aren't afraid to look in the eye of authoritarianism and spit in its face. Not only is their music great, but they are an inspiration to everyone looking to stand up for human rights. If they come to your town it will be in your best interest to see them.

Some tunes to check out and enjoy from Vandoliers:

And, of course, the band's new single about dysphoria and other forms of imprisonment, "Life Behind Bars"

Vandoliers – Official, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Bandcamp, Spotify