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How much influence has American singer-songwriter John Cougar Mellencamp had on the current state of punk rock?

It sounds like the start of a bad joke, yet for Vancouver’s Carpenter (guitarist-singer Daniel Sioui, bassist Kelly Burnham, guitarist Ryan Howlett and drummer J.J. Heath), it’s no laughing matter. As Sioui relates, The Coug is fully responsible for the sound and style of the band’s debut full-length, Law of the Land.

“Punk is deeply ingrained in us, but when I started telling people the greatest inspiration for these songs was John Cougar Mellencamp, every reaction — good or bad — was very strong,” he admits. “They were shocked that I could go from a post-punk band to something influenced by him. He’s not the coolest influence to have these days, but we’re working to change that.”

Suffice it to say that Carpenter sounds nothing like All State Champion, Daggermouth, By a Thread or Speaking of Heroes, the punk and hardcore acts these gentlemen formerly spent time with. That’s kind of the point, though. Driven by acoustic guitars and maintaining a grassroots musical mentality while still allowing their inherent punk essence to shine, Carpenter — and by default Law of the Land — pay respect to some of the unsung heroes most punk rockers adore yet are too embarrassed to acknowledge.

“[We] don’t sound like punk, but it’s our roots and intensity that classifies us as punk,” Sioui explains. “The songs themselves are classic rock song structures and quite melodic. There’s singing involved, not just bellowing. Not that I’m against screaming, but there are a lot of Alexisonfire clones we’ve been exposed to and the vast majority are pretty painful to hear. We’re just trying to write good rock songs people can sing along to. I want people to hear these songs and hum them afterwards. That’s the biggest compliment and I’ve been fortunate to have that. It’s inspiring to have those memorable hooks or lines people respond to.”

Sioui is getting plenty of response. Whether in appreciation for the band’s anthemic tunes, their unabashed adoration for over-the-hill singers or their quasi-political opinions, they get a reaction. While Sioui and crew are unafraid to bring attention to their folk roots and penchant for saccharine singalongs on Law of the Land, they have also established themselves as champions of other, far more important underdogs: farmers. Law of the Land is teeming with opinions about the difficult situation faced by North America’s food providers. The band’s participated in a number of international grower awareness campaigns and has been approached by Farm Aid with a request for their musical assistance to North America’s independent farmers. Proud as he is of this achievement, Sioui still insists that Carpenter is far from a political act.

“We aren’t political people or a political band, but the reaction people get when you have a message about something is that you get classified as being political,” he says. “For us, it’s about bringing awareness. I just want more conscience out there. People talk about the [high] price of gas and how that’s the end of the world, but forget there’s a food shortage. Gas is a luxury. Food is an essential for everyone. Why are we putting so much emphasis on one thing, not the other? We aren’t trying to jam a message down your throat, but if someone’s interest is piqued, I’m all for that.”