Classic country music comes alive with local troubadours The Daliens. Covering artists from the golden age of country like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, these “08ers” pay homage to the spirit and music that influenced a genre.

Coming together in the latter half of 2009, The Daliens have made it their mission to bring real live honky-tonk music back to Bakersfield’s bars and clubs as they did Jan. 30 at the Dive Bar in south Bakersfield. Skipping original music in their set list, the band sticks with time-tested, classic music from country pioneers and local legends.

“We play a lot of music from our influences like Hank Williams, George Jones, Billy Mize, Johnny Cash and Red Simpson. We’re trying to capture that old country sound. We’re obsessed with that old country twang,” said lead guitarist Bryan Calande.

Calande and singer Brett Neal started playing music together a few years back, but The Daliens weren’t complete until they added drummer Virgil Swartz and Brett’s wife, Silvia Neal on bass. The group found common ground in playing music that’s stripped down to its roots, while honoring classic country icons.

“Everybody loves this kind of country. It’s the music we all grew up with,” said Brett Neal.

The band does not have any recordings of original music, nor have they written any as of yet. “The band is still in its infancy, so who knows what will happen,” said Calande about the future of the band’s music. In the meantime, the band is currently out playing live shows and turning each venue into a genuine honky-tonk.

The band even pays tribute to Bakersfield in their name by calling themselves The Daliens, a term dubbed for the residents of Oildale.

Oildale, as well as Bakersfield, are both known for having a history associated with country music and its culture, hence the slogan on their MySpace page, “The spirit of Bakersfield, the pride of Oildale.”

More information, including show times and contact info about The Daliens can be found at myspace.com/thedaliens.