Datapanik Records Compilations

Datapanik Records was primarily active in the 1990s, although they've had a few releases out in the 2010s, and their roster of bands and artists on compilations reflect their prime years.

Girly Machine, New Bomb Turks, Pica Huss, Greenhorn, Gaunt, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments are just a few that appear on the 1992 compilation Bumped By Karaoke.

1997's Ubu Dance Party features bands from all over the state, including Columbus bands like Skullbank, RC Mob, Haynes Boys, Scrawl, Pet UFO and others.

WCBE Compilations

Although not exclusively local in format, WCBE 90.5 FM has been a massively important aspect of the Columbus music scene for decades. For a while, they were putting out regular compilation of their in-studio performances.

Across a dozen discs, you can find rare live-only tracks from Columbus artists such as Howlin' Maggie, Scrawl, Tim Easton, The Haynes Boys, Watershed, Big Back Forty, The Jive Turkeys, Jenny Mae and many more.

New Additions: Hank McCoy & The Dead Ringers self-titled album (1992)

Stumbling upon Hank McCoy & The Dead Ringers during my research for the book gave me pause. Was this really alternative country, in the way that the Haynes Boys or Burn Barrel were alternative country? To my ears, though it might be interpreted slightly differently, there appeared to be nothing "alternative" about it. But then how does that factor into a book primarily about rock music and its various sub-genres? I'm not quite sure yet, I do know that members of a variety of bands, including Greenhorn, Great Plains, Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires, and more.

New Additions: Big Back Forty album Bested

Knowing that Big Back Forty had drawn comparisons to another Columbus band from around this time (Haynes Boys), I had a rough idea what to expect when I grabbed this off Discogs. The first noticeable difference is Sean Beal's voice, which carries a nice amount of weight in its depth. With the McGann brothers from Greenhorn onboard as the rhythm section, it's expectedly tight, but it's Barry Hensley that operates as the secret weapon, playing half a dozen credited instruments that help shape the edges of the songs.

Video: Haynes Boys In-Store at Lost Weekend Records

No Depression: Them Dam' Haynes Boys

When their only album was reissued on vinyl back in 2015, venerable alt-country 'zine No Depression gave it an enthusiastic review. Here is part of that article:

The songs are populated by the kinds of characters who are fun to have around until the inevitable trouble begins. The stories are rich and truthful and heart-filled, and the twangy, punky rock music proves the ideal vehicle for these tales of victorious tragedy and broken-down triumph. 

The roots of the music is a natural out-growth of a love of the Byrds and local Columbus legends the Beetkeepers, and is informed by a love of the pop music of XTC and Prince, among others. Fueled by the songwriting prowess of Tim Easton, grounded by the heavy rhythm section of Aaron Rice on bass and Jovan Karcic on drums, and driven forward by the dense yet glimmering guitar of Freddie Free, the album's eleven songs fly by like landmarks along a country highway.

New Additions: Haynes Boys by Haynes Boys Vinyl Reissue

Sometimes you head out to record stores with particular thoughts in your head - today I'm going to fill this gap in my discography, for example. And sometimes you just stumble upon something and think, wow, right place, right time. That was the case with the Haynes Boys 2015 reissue of their only album, originally released on compact disc back in 1996. I walked into a Half Price Books, started flipping through their vinyl bins, and bam, there it sat. The best part? I was holding a fifty percent off coupon in my hand. Somethings are meant to be.

Know Yer Band: Haynes Boys

Band: Haynes Boys

Members
Vocals/Guitar - Tim Easton
Guitar - Timothy Scholl
Guitars/Vocals - Phillip Park (aka Freddie Free)
Bass Vocals - Aaron Rice
Drums/Horns - Jonathan Williams / Jovan Karcic

Releases
1993 - Last Heathen 7" single (Whatever Records)
1995 - Maryhaven Family 7" single (Whatever Records)
1996 - Haynes Boys album (Slab Records)
1996 - The New Franklin County Woman EP (Slab Records)