Punk Retrospective: Slim Cessna’s Auto Club’s Bloudy Tenant of Truth & Peace

It’s hard to say ‘punk retrospective’ in regards to SCAC, because this excellent Denver band is so very in the now. They are simply groundbreaking in their American country take on punk. Behind Slim Cessna’s hollering, yodeling, and whooping vocal style is a solid group of musicians including Rumley, who plays steel guitar, organ, and the like; Danny Pants, bass; Ordy on drums; and the one and only Rev. Dwight Pentacost on electric and double neck guitar. To the side of Slim: that’s Munly Munly, vocals. Of course that’s not all he does; like Slim and the rest of the band, he plays different instruments.

But Munly could be seen as a mascot of sorts, as well. He’s a living, walking embodiment of the garish aesthetic that solidifies SCAC. With cowboy boots, belt, and hat, he resembles a countryman’s ghost. All in all, SCAC is the last fleeting glimpse of the spirit of American country music – twisted, reinterpreted, and modernized. This ain’t no Toby Keith.

SCAC rocks, and that couldn’t be more apparent on their album Bloudy Tenant of Truth & Peace. From the opening notes of “This is how we do things in the country” until the last fading chorus of “New Jerusalem, Rhode Island” this is an upbeat, deep, and lyrically rich album.

The lyrics: the backbone of SCAC. This band would not be what it is if it weren’t for the stories told. This is where Munly comes in, who is a published author. Stories range from apocalyptic visions, to country-minded backwardness, to Indian conversions, to an unwelcome Government warmongering. Although it all sounds very black and white, the band is extremely soft-spoken; the lyrics, like I said, are rich, therefore the subtext is truly what counts towards the story.

Everytime Bloudy Tenant of Truth & Peace is played something new comes out of it. Whether it’s just some of the (excellent) production qualities, instrumentation, or just some wordplay, the album is practically a myriad of country rock! Best of all: anyone can play this for their parents. SCAC know enough about entertaining that they can come off as respectful, yet ironic, yet disturbed. It’s part dark country, part uplifting religiousness, mostly punk.