Back Porch Mary

Given Back Porch Mary's knack for blurring the lines between blues, rock, country and metal, the band's current home of Austin, Texas, is a perfect fit. However, this high-energy outfit actually got its start in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1995. Although the band's lineup has changed slightly since then, it remains a perennial area favorite thanks to a heavy touring schedule that brings the group back through the Midwest on a regular basis. The group's self-titled debut, released this past fall, was shepherded by veteran producer Stuart Sullivan, whose credits include a variety of high-profile acts, including Willie Nelson, Sublime, the Supersuckers and the Meat Puppets. Sullivan's experience pays off as BPM successfully translates its raucous live sound to the sometimes-stifling confines of the studio. That in itself is no small feat for a young act, but Back Porch Mary's main appeal is that it doesn't sound like one.