The mid-1990s was the height of what was then called “alternative country” (a.k.a. alt country, twangcore, yalternative and a host of other somewhat unfortunate names).

Thank god we’ve now settled on the more dignified Americana.

Two of the biggest bands in the alt-country world were Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown, but Massachusetts group the Scud Mountain Boys also gained a strong following.

Led by singer-songwriter Joe Pernice, they took a laid-back, lo-fi approach to their songs. Their 1995 album Pine Box was literally recorded around a kitchen table.

Pine Box holds up incredibly well today. It’s a low key mix of originals and some surprising covers, including Cher’s “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” and the Olivia Newton John hit “Please Mr. Please.”

Joe Pernice went on to form indie-pop group the Pernice Brothers, as well as a few other one-off bands. He also has now written a novel. Here’s hoping he releases some new music again soon.

This profile of Joe Diffie was adapted from the book Country Music: A Rough Guide, published in 2000 by Rough Guides.