IS THERE such a thing as a sacred song or piece of music that should never be interfered with by any but the most refined impersonators or re-interpreters? Queen fans might cite Bohemian Rhapsody as a candidate for this status, while Mozart buffs might opt for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

They would be far too late, of course, because Appalachian hellraisers Hayseed Dixie have already had their sticky paws all over both – with surprisingly acceptable results if you appreciate their tongue-in-cheek but accomplished self-styled "rockgrass".

The tracks, with Nachtmusik reinvented as "trinkmusic", appear on the US hillbilly quartet's latest album Killer Grass which they are promoting on their current UK tour.

Singer and violinist extraordinaire Barley Scotch (aka Nashville music whiz John Wheeler), who fronts and records the band, makes no apologies for these interventions.

"Mozart was a rock and roll living kind of guy so I'm sure he wouldn't mind. His was the stepping out and drinking music of its day, so we've actually got a lot in common," he says.

"We thought it would be fun to take a pop at Queen. Everyone else has done it. I thought it was a scream – it worked out a lot better than we thought it would."

They also turn their attention to the U2 back catalogue with Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and the Who classic Won't Get Fooled Again.

Their original tracks tend to have more risque or double entendre titles, such as Alien Abduction Probe, although there's evidence of a romantic side emerging in John's lyric writing.

"I think I'm programmed to chase respectability. I had written a whole bunch of songs and some were a bit more serious, but we have to siphon those out because we need to keep doing the kind of stuff our audiences want," says the leader of the band which started out as a kind of warped AC/DC tribute.

"This band can only be new and special one time for everyone; we have never been cool so we just try to have fun. If you like our other records then you'll like this one. "

As part of the album package there is a DVD with videos for six of the songs on the album, five "tutorial instruction videos" for aspiring musos, plus unedited CD-quality multi-track audio files for every song on the album, which can be mixed and remixed by the user in computer programmes Garage Band, Logic, Pro Tools. Then there's a bonus song, Love Cabin, which must be mixed before it can be heard.

"You can make it sound anyway you like. Everyone can mix a record – even your 67-year-old mother-in-law. Just give it a go," says John, who is joined on stage by Dale Reno on mandolin and Don Wayne Reno on banjo, sons of Don Reno – one of the co-composers of Deliverance anthem Duelling Banjos.

Original bass player Jake "Bakesnake" Byers is firmly back in the mix after a hiatus. "Jake had to get divorced and that took a bit of time," explains John.

Naturally the chaps are returning to perform their new material in the Westcountry where they debuted on their first visit to Britain back in 2004, and have been returning regularly ever since.

JACKIE BUTLER

Hayseed Dixie play at The Wharf in Tavistock (01822 611166) at 8pm on Friday, March 12, and at the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth (01326 211222) on Sunday, March 14.