#10 The Gourds
The Gourds may be the best pure "alt.country" band to come out of that movement. In addition to a recorded output that matches anyone from that period, The Gourds' live shows were explosive, jubilant and incredibly communal. They were events. The songwriting/singing pairing of Jimmy Smith and Kev Russell, to my ears, should be mentioned in the same breath as, yes, Paul and John and Mick and Keith. From 1997-2002 their records as well as their celebrated live shows may have places them as the band of that period. Favorite record: Stadium Blitzer (1998) Where are they now? The Gourds broke up in 2013. Kev Russell has embarked on a successful career under the moniker Shinyribs. Jimmy Smith has relocated to Montana and plays shows in around the around the area.