A Chicago band known for its muddy work boots, anarchic stage shows and fondness for committing musical “pure butchery” (the New York Times’ words, not ours) may seem an odd match for the stylish craft and classicism of a Nashville songwriting treasure, but that’s just what came to be on the new album Great Chicago Fire.

Great Chicago Fire is a happy collaboration borne out of label mates, Paul Burch, a progenitor of the ‘90s Nashville Lower Broad scene, and the Waco Brothers, the Lenin-esque statue in the Square where the avenues of punk, country and rockn- roll intersect, sharing pitchers of Guerro’s margaritas in Austin, TX at SXSW. Sharing songwriting, performing and production credits, it’s the Wacos’ first new material since 2005’s Freedom and Weep and puts Paul’s voice at the front and center of their mighty sonic assault; it’s a willing collision of energy and ideas, of different voices, possibilities and permutations.

The Waco Brothers, in case you haven’t been paying attention are the tireless Jon Langford (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Skull Orchard), Steve Goulding (Mekons, PVC, Graham Parker & the Rumour), Alan Doughty (Jesus Jones), Deano (Dollar Store, Wreck), Tracy Dear (World’s Greatest Living Englishman) and Joe Camarillo (Hushdrops). Through eight albums on Bloodshot, the Wacos have blurred the line between country and punk with music brimming with grim romanticism, and joyous, near ecstatic, drunken stomps. Paul Burch and his fabulous WPA Ballclub released two albums on BS, as well as several compilation tracks including a duet with the legendary Ralph Stanley..