http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/may/02/john-wheeler-q

There are a lot of odd combinations that work well together: peanut butter and bananas or Steve Martin and the banjo. But bluegrass and hard rock? Well, that’s just crazy talk.

So it may come as little surprise that Hayseed Dixie’s first foray into their now-trademark bluegrass covers of hard rock standards was almost accidental.

“A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC,” the band’s 2001 all-cover debut album, was recorded in just one day as an experiment, John “Barley Scotch” Wheeler(vocals/guitar/fiddle) said.

“We weren’t thinking of making a band, we just thought it would be a fun thing to give to people to pass around and play at their parties,” he said, laughing. “There was no plan, no agenda, we were just drinking beer and amusing ourselves.”

This initial project, the first of eight, started getting airtime on morning radio shows throughout the Southeast, selling more than 150,000 copies in two months.

After that, the band’s novelty all but wore off stateside.

Since 2004, the group has been heavily invested in playing to more receptive crowds in Europe, where they have just concluded a 71-city tour, Wheeler said.

Despite what their name suggests, the band’s repertoire covers a wide range of artists, from Judas Priest and Black Sabbath to the Rolling Stones and Motörhead. Whatever the song, though, their acoustic interpretations of rock standards manage to sound new without losing all the signature licks.

Although the band’s popularity here can’t compare to across the pond, they haven’t forgotten their roots. Tonight, they’ll play at Rhythm & Brews, one of a handful of dates on a brief U.S. tour.

IF YOU GO

* What: Hayseed Dixie

* When: Saturday, 10 p.m.

* Where: Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market Street

* Admission: $10

* Phone: 267-4644

* Venue Web site: www.rhythm-brews.com

* Related links: times freepress.com

DID YOU KNOW

* Barley Scotch, John Wheeler’s stage persona, was based on his grandfather, a hogfarmer and moonshiner from East Tennessee.

* Hayseed Dixie has a framed copy of USA Today reporter Brian Mansfield’s list of the “Worst Nashville Exports” of 2003. The band’s third release, “Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to K.I.S.S.,” was No. 3.

* The band’s first European show was in 2004 at a Spanish bullfighting ring.

WHAT’S NEXT Casey Phillips 4/25/08 album art in e-mail

“No Covers,” Hayseed Dixie’s first original album released earlier this year in Europe but vocalist/guitarist/fiddler John Wheeler said he couldn’t land an American distribution deal. American listeners can download the album from iTunes.