- The album’s genesis came from an unexpected moment during a soundcheck when vocalist John Thomas Griffith was singing The Who’s “The Real Me.” As frontman Fred LeBlanc explains, the complex simplicity of the song sparked a conversation that led to the brilliant suggestion: “Dude, we ought to do a covers album.”
In true Cowboy Mouth style, “Cover Yo’ Azz!” lacks any thematic coherence—and that’s entirely by design. LeBlanc and the band deliberately chose songs that “have absolutely nothing to do with each other,” creating an eclectic mix that runs the gamut from The Who to Frank Sinatra, REM to Cher.
- The title itself was a stroke of luck, as LeBlanc discovered that, surprisingly, no one had ever used “Cover Yo’ Azz” for a covers album before.
The 10-track collection showcases the band’s versatility and playful spirit. Their rendition of “My Way” pays homage to Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and the Sex Pistols all at once, embodying what LeBlanc calls “the cowboy mouth ethos”—making mistakes but doing it their way. Cher’s “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” gets the Cowboy Mouth treatment with clever lyrical modifications, while REM’s “Perfect Circle”—one of LeBlanc’s all-time favorites—receives a punk rock makeover.
Mastered by Jeff Powell, the album has been receiving positive reviews and represents more than just a collection of covers. It’s encouraged the band to revisit their own back catalog, relearning old songs they haven’t played in years, much to their audiences’ delight.
Next local show:
The Merry Widow Presents: Cowboy Mouth
When: Saturday, October 4
Doors 7 p.m. PRESALE $25 | Day of Show $35
In the meantime.. Order your copy!
