Often described as "Half Cash, half Clash" for their fiery mixture of classic country spirit ("Cash" meaning the Man in Black) and old-school punk energy and defiance, the Waco Brothers are the most successful of the many side projects launched by Jon Langford, one of the founding members of eclectic British group the Mekons. Playing tough, defiant music with a rebellious, fiercely political worldview, the Wacos also added mandolin, steel guitar, and vintage honky tonk melodies to their sound, as typified on 1997's Cowboy in Flames. While their take on country music was not designed to please purists, their passion was clear enough to persuade anyone that their love of the genre was genuine. They added a harder rock edge on 2000's Electric Waco Chair, while 2012's Great Chicago Fire was collaboration with Paul Burch, and they launched their own record label with 2023's The Men That God Forgot.