Led by guitarist/vocalist
Chuck Cleaver, Cincinnati's
Ass Ponys cut a niche in the indie rock world of the early '90s with their skewed country-rock. The group managed to twist standard rock and country conventions around, giving them a goofy, off-kilter perspective. After releasing a couple of independent records, the band signed with A&M Records, releasing their major-label debut,
Electric Rock Music, in 1994, followed by
Known Universe in 1996. After a lengthy hiatus that saw the group severing ties with A&M, they signed a deal with alternative country label Checkered Past. The resulting
Lohio was a triumphant, if slightly depressing, return to form. A compilation,
Okra Years, was released in 2005. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine