Them Slack Jawed Sons of Bitches

Them Slack Jawed Sons of Bitches is a sexy and exciting Cow Punk band from San Jose, California. The band has two studio albums: Whiskey and Waffles (2010, Biscuit House Studio), and One and Done (2013, Tiny Telephone Recording), both available on iTunes.

THE EARLY DAYS
Them Slack Jawed Sons of Bitches was formed in 2008 by Steve Laflen (Booty Chesterfield Trio, X Old Ladies) and Jeff Okubo (Platinum Head). The two-piece "band" quickly realized that bass players exist for a reason so they asked Okubo's Platinum Head bandmate, Dave Kempken, to start jamming with them. The trio became known as Fart Pod Five until Kempken, ahem, ran out of gas. Laflen and Okubo wanted to keep playing and began searching for a permanent bass player, pedal steel player, and a more respectable band name.

BURCHFIELD AND VAUGHAN
Laflen and Okubo felt they hit the Craigslist jackpot when they found bassist, Eric Burchfield (Rat Salad), and later, pedal steel player, John Vaughan (Mind Garage). The bandmates brought extremely diverse musical influences but found a strong common bond in each member’s love of classic Country music. And whiskey. The “Slack Jaw” sound was born and thanks to bartender/band booker, Rachel Warner, the band started cutting their teeth at San Jose’s mostly metal and punk venue, The Caravan Lounge. They recorded their first album, Whiskey and Waffles, at Biscuit House Studio, which is owned by friend and former Laflen bandmate, Chad Leiker (Booty Chesterfield Trio). In 2011, Burchfield famously told the band "it's not you - it's me", quit, and promptly started a new band with Leiker.

THE SMITH ERA
After Burchfield left, long time San Jose music scene veteran, Chris Smith (Crack), was promised by the band that they were going to "get big", so he joined. Them Slack Jawed Sons of Bitches have definitely gotten big, just not in the figurative sense. When Smith was in the band, they at least got to open for some fantastic artists like White Buffalo, Wayne Hancock, and Nashville Pussy. In 2015, Smith told the band the “it’s not me – it’s YOU" and quit. Like Burchfield, Smith and the band pretend to remain great friends.

MATTOS TIME
Russell Mattos (Mean Mistreater), who was referred to the band by Kempken, was invited to replace Smith only after he agreed to cover his Mean Mistreater tramp stamp with a Slack Jawed Sons of Bitches’ tattoo. Mattos is saving his gig earnings to get this done as soon as possible, while writing new songs and wearing half-shirts to every practice and gig.