For rock 'n' roll group The Backsliders, music is a family affair. Chris Bonner plays guitar, his wife, Kim Pendleton, is the group's vocalist and his brother Jason Bonner plays bass.

"It's like a family band. We all are very collaborative in what we do, and everyone has a say in it," bassist Jason Bonner said. "We fly off the handle and say exactly what we're thinking. It actually sort of works out to be a positive thing.

"We all have a hand in changing any of the music or helping cultivate it, trim it up here and there. It's very democratic. We all do what's right for the song."

Formed in late 2005, The Backsliders, which also includes drummer Taylor Young, have already built a strong following and list of accolades for its rockin' Dallas-grown music.

With bassist Nolan Thies (Deep Blue Something), the band released its self-titled debut album and a 7-inch vinyl record in 2006. The following year, the band released a DVD, "Live at The Double Wide," and were awarded "best blues" by the Dallas Observer. In 2008, The Backsliders produced its second full-length album, "You're Welcome."

Though Thies is the bass player on The Backsliders first two albums and live DVD, Jason Bonner emerged as the bassist in February 2008. The band toured from coast to coast and won the"Best Hard Rock" award at the 20th annual Dallas Observer Music Awards.

In March, the band followed up its popular "You're Welcome" album with its third full-length album, "Thank You."

"As a thank you and to keep on the hype of 'You're Welcome,' we decided to record a live album, essentially, in the studio without many overdubs. It's a little representative of what we do live," Bonner said.

Bonner said the album can be downloaded free from the band's website, www.thebacksliders.com. He said the group is looking for a national release in the next couple of months.

-- Cherish West