There’s a rollicking offshoot of classic country music called psychobilly that pairs old school twangs and rhythms and train track percussion with tales of mayhem, murder, drive-in movie kitsch and break-neck speeds. Johnny Angel & Helldorado is not a psychobilly band.

It’s likely that Angel grew up on the same diet, but Helldorado is far from those insane sounds. Instead, his five-song EP Ready … Set … Hold On! is straight-up, don’t fix it if it ain’t broke country/western swing.

It’s a lively record that doesn’t know the meaning of sedated, juicing up classics like Ernest Tubb’s “Driving Nails in My Coffin,” and Bob Wills’ “Stay all Night, Stay a Little Longer.” Though these are lively renditions, Helldorado doesn’t try to reinvent them. There are no grand departures from the original material, just an increase in wattage. “Faded Love” honors the melancholy waltz of Wills’ original version.

Yet, there is a downside to the band’s devotion to the tunes. Covering classic songs is a hard line to walk: you have to make it your own yet respect the original material. Bands can’t outdo the original yet they need to put their own twist on it. While Helldorado does a great job preserving the classic cuts, it doesn’t do a lot to advance the genre. These covers don’t add anything new to their history. Willie Nelson and Beck once covered “Driving Nails in My Coffin,” and only the quirk of having Beck on the track made it worth noticing. This version isn’t as memorable.

There are only two originals—“Gambling Love” and “Louisiana Man.” The pair are not bad songs, but fall short of the covers on the record.

No doubt the energy Helldorado brings to the record translates well live and makes for a good night out dancing, but Ready … Set … Hold On! could use more original material and innovation.