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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The Blasters
Dark Night: Live In Philly
(Rockbeat Records)




Mike Mann aka 'Hollywood Fats' was the first to assume the Blasters' lead guitar position after the departure of co-founder Dave Alvin. His conversance in American roots idioms, and especially his understanding of their blood-consonance, made his playing wondrous. He fit well in the substantial American Music band.

Prior to his Blasters stint, Fats had toured and recorded with a host of impactful figures, including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, James Harman, and Canned Heat. His bona fides made jaws hit beer-spattered dance floors. He put every good and bad bit of it in the music. And everybody heard and dug.

Tragically, Fats died later in this gig's year. In 2013, the Philly performance turned up as an online bootleg. Better one own this newly issued executive package, and marvel at the Blasters in one of their numerous sublime moments.

Recommended: "No Other Girl," "I'm Shakin'," "Border Radio," "Never No More Blues," "Red Rose," "Flat Top Joint," "Keep It Clean," "Long White Cadillac," "Rock and Roll Will Stand," "Hoodoo Man," "Trouble Bound," "Help You Dream," "Keep A-Knockin' (But You Can't Came In)," "Too Tired"

Videos: "Rock and Roll Will Stand" (TV, '86, with Steve Berlin)
"Long White Cadillac" (Live in Buffalo, '86)


http://www.theblasters.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theblastersband/

https://www.amoeba.com/music/label/45907#/



https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-night-live-in-philly/1458349961

https://open.spotify.com/album/2shO6sfGoodsc5brUyVafF

https://www.deezer.com/us/album/92185212



Current lineup: Keith Wyatt, Bill Bateman, John Bazz, Phil Alvin








Kent Wennman Rockabilly Kvartet
Guitar Man and Other Great Rockabilly Tracks Associated With the King, Vol. 2
(self / Kattguld)




Surely, no who looked at Kent's Telecaster when it was idle would suspect that all of traditional Rock and Roll's unvarnished majesty pulsed within it. 

Then, the Guitar Man plugs in, the acrobatic band pulls off neck-wrenching dynamics, the whole stage goes up in flames, and new believers fall to their knees. 

Recommended: "Big Hunk O' Love," "Ain't That Loving You, Baby," "Guitar Man," "You're a Heartbreaker"

Video: "Guitar Man"
           "Ain't That Loving You, Baby" (live)


https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/kentwennmanrockabillykvartett

https://music.amazon.in/albums/B07QWML2WV

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Other-Rockabilly-Tracks-Associated/dp/B07QWML2WV/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Kent%2C+wennman&qid=1556598620&s=dmusic&sr=1-1-spell




The Lucitones
Three Moons
(Batcave Records)



Rockabilly accenting punk rampage. Outta the way. Nothing can block a band so committed. 


Recommended: "Mark Of Cain," "Swingin' By the Door," "Confessions of a misanthrope," "Haunted Halls," Change the Locks," "Her CryptIn the Woods," "Bulletproff 66," "How To Raise An Oxymoron"

Video: "Mark Of Cain"


https://www.facebook.com/thelucitones/

https://thelucitones.bigcartel.com/

https://batcaverecords.com/the-lucitones


https://www.amazon.com/Three-Moons-Lucitones/dp/B07PM8LHS1/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Lucitones+-+Three+Moons&qid=1556590768&s=dmusic&sr=1-1


https://open.spotify.com/album/6G6d7t2H7PhYlCoNBRi8UA

https://www.deezer.com/us/album/90128332

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/three-moons/1455984392




Jesska
Rock & Roll Back
(self)




Jesska and the aces at her elbow acquit themselves admirably with material that recalls the Old Time Rock and Roll produced by soon-to-be icons down on Union Avenue. Then, "Hold Me Tight" breathes of other capacity.

Recommended:  "Let's Be Wild," "Le mythe du bonheur," "Mister Atkins," "Chevrolet," "Hold Me Tight," "Rock and Roll Back," "Me and Myself," "Rengaine"

Video: "Le mythe du bonheur" 
            "Hold Me Tight"

https://jesska.fr/

https://www.facebook.com/musicofjesska/



https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/jesska3

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/hold-me-tight-single/1374064775

https://www.deezer.com/en/album/61862692

https://open.spotify.com/album/2xWfSYZl4uo3a7UsIgVERN?si=S4kmJEk5RPO07tmEL0d0wQ&fbclid=IwAR14KoAL_WfvTDhLlTdkgNaYhSCu29CH9yHRkW8pjP4u-bmKarEI_jDDKUs




Sunday, April 28, 2019

Graveyard Bashers
Where's Billy?
(self)




This is what midnight miscreation rampages must sound like. 

Recommended: "Where's Billy," "Doctor Psycho," "Grandma's a Killer," "Los Tuheros"

Video: "Where's Billy?" (live)


https://www.facebook.com/graveyardbashers/

https://graveyardbashers.bandcamp.com/album/wheres-billy


https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wheres-billy-ep/1448380614

https://open.spotify.com/album/1axr2euv5Z7iM3ggucIRWm

https://orange.deezer.com/us/album/83295442




Pepita Slappers
Let It Loose, Bullseye new singles
Rocket To the Moon full length
(Vintjarn Records)







Hooks handspring in gladsome bop that hustles with remarkable vitality.

"Let It Loose"
"Bullseye"

Recommended (from Rocket): 
"Broken Heart," "Baby Behave," "Little Lovin' Marie," "Rocket To the Moon," "Kiss Me One More Time," "Goodbye My Love," Wendy Lou," "Dear Dad," "Ju Ju Man"

Video: "Broken Heart"


https://www.pepitaslappers.se/

https://www.facebook.com/pepitaslappers/



https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/pepitaslappers14

https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Moon-Pepita-Slappers/dp/B07D8G434X

https://open.spotify.com/album/6zSWLp7Dx6w3saH9DD8HDM




Brainiax
Rock 'N' Roll Lobotomy
(self)




An aerodynamic, phosphorescently mad speed-craft that references Da Brudders and Jack Marshall, while constructing hijinx of madcap, morbid aspect.

Recommended: "House On the Hill," "Brainiax Boogie," "Galactic Mystery," "Straitjacket Stomp," "The Bastard Sun," "Cape Fear," "Devil Doll"

Video: "Galactic Mystery"

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrainiax/

https://batcaverecords.com/the-brainiax


https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thebrainiax




The Thirsty Crows
Hangman's Noose
(Batcave Records)



There are no cracks through which effect can slip away into wastedness. Sound surrounds, a fullness that makes impact absolute. Audio onslaught befits the at moments sinister, elsewhere fantastic tenor. Psycho-bristle, at paces incredible.

Recommended: "Midnite Rumble," "De la Muerte,"  "Hangman's Noose," "Anchors Up," "Anything, Anything," "Hang On,"

Video: "Midnite Rumble"

https://thethirstycrows.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/TheThirstyCrows/

https://batcaverecords.com/the-thirsty-crows#



https://www.amazon.com/Hangmans-Noose-Thirsty-Crows/dp/B07MSFQ45K

https://open.spotify.com/album/5PZgOSH9Gnvju7pr7o1oqD

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/hangmans-noose/1448944913

https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/The_Thirsty_Crows?id=Ahvooxcynpqxybpjmfph36i3puq

https://tidal.com/browse/album/102067136






Thursday, April 25, 2019

Kim Lenz
Slowly Speeding
(Blue Star Record Company)



Jaunty cuts attract and are engaging. Players display admirably. But greater import lies elsewhere. As exquisite chanteuse, Kim realizes the power of whispers. ("Bogeyman" recalls "St. James Infirmary.")  Who among us doesn't empathize with smoldering balladic witness? All hearts draw around mutual, acheful passions. 

Recommended: "Bogeyman," "Pine Me," "Slowly Speeding," "I'll Find You," "Guilty," "Bury Me Deep," "Percolate," "Wild Oak," "Hourglass," "Room"

Video: "Pine Me"
                 "Bogeyman"


https://kimlenz.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKimLenz/


https://www.amazon.com/Slowly-Speeding-Kim-Lenz/dp/B07MCXW6JH

https://www.oldies.com/product-view/58797R.html

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slowly-speeding/1439216185










Georgina Peach and The Savoys
I'm On My Way
(El Toro Records)



An agile and robust, brass-nutrified musical outfit that features global guitar icon CC Jerome is one of three factors that distinguish this disc.

Another is the reverential revisit paid rhythm and blues and gospel treasures of evergreen virtue. 

The third reason is Cheri Addo. As "Georgina Peach," she plants her feet and looses as much emphatic outburst, soul-stirring testimony, and impassioned declamation as ever a body could muster. 

Recommended: "Palm of Your Hand," "Early Times," "I'm On My Way," "I'd Rather Be Blind," "I Can't Help Myself," "God Trying To Get Your Attention," "If You Don't Think"

Videos: "I'd Rather Be Blind" (club performance)

                   2018 Firebids Festival (live, 1/2 hour)


https://www.facebook.com/georginapeachandthesavoys/

http://www.abcagency.nl/Bands/Georgina-Peach-The-Savoys/?fbclid=IwAR3hXPP8Mj7zQHeIubR1qaFhjBo5W64l6QEqUDN_GjbZ6LnH7XndDS0OLdw



https://www.eltororecords.com/Vinyl-Lp/GEORGINA-PEACH-THE-SAVOYS-IM-ON-MY-WAY-VINYL-LP::489.html?MODsid=b3e8ebp2snv9jui82rrkoa4jq3

https://www.amazon.com/Im-Way-Georgina-Peach-Savoys/dp/B07N4VHV8R

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/im-on-my-way/1450630970

https://open.spotify.com/album/3N8gDgB25HuNEuj5GLVhKf




Koffin Kats
Eloise's Ghosts 
single track
(self)





A host of voices ring out in somber harmony. A minimalist cadre storms in relentless punk/psycho deploy. You find yourself moving.

Video: "Eloise's Ghosts"


https://www.koffinkatsrock.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/koffinkats/



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PZB4HRY

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/eloises-ghosts-single/1457615521

https://open.spotify.com/album/61g3tmsTbJLqReUgWnpGy2

https://us.napster.com/artist/the-koffin-kats/album/eloises-ghosts





Blitch Bango
Low Tide
(self / Chobb)




Insights and whimsy schlepped at a smorgasbord of tempos, all of which are in it for the fun. Orthodox surf and rockabilly knock up against jazzy, lounge, psycho, and experimental forms of animated essence. Be warned that over-attention to witty messaging could obscure very real instrumental adroitness.

Recommended: "Undertow," "If I Had the Right Woman," "There's a Monster In the House," "Creature From Space," "Golden Day," "Deserted Island," "Fat Alley Cat," "Gonna Rock You," "I'm So Distracted," Beachead," "Red Country Girl," "Surfin' Jerk," "Too Man Women," "20kt Fizzle"

Videos: "Undertow"
                    "Creature From Space"


http://www.blitchbango.com/


https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/blitchbango8

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMPKDHC

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AxFVdiuEGcJIlw5XUHLa0





Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Go-Go Killers
13 (self)




Collected are 13 reeling, blowup covers of Willie Dixon, Hasil Adkins, Link Wray, Lux and Ivy's odd issues, Blind Willie Mc Tell, and more from Rock 'n' Roll's fun danger zone. They resound as obstreperous affronts with slapdash grins and hypno-coin eyes that crash through the doors of perception and, Ronson lighters aloft, throw gasoline all over the joint.

"I wanted to do 13 as a tribute, out of respect," singer Alabama Sharp emailed me. "Shine some light and nod my head to some of the originals."

Of course those can't be surpassed. But the Go-Go Killers do wring abundant and unique exuberance from the lunatic classics. And that's the finest, most alive tribute possible. 



Recommended: "Spoonful," "Shake That Thing," "Rumble," "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "You Were Born To Die," "Her Love Rubbed Off," "Keep our Hands Off It," "The Crusher," "Give Me Back My Wig"

Videos: "Shake That Thing" 
                 "Her Love Rubbed Off" (live) 
             "You Were Born To Die"  

https://gogokillers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoGoKillers/

\https://thego-gokillers.bandcamp.com/album/13




The Pornadoes
Go Tiger Go
(self)



Jason "Mr. Goessl" wields his guitar with exactly the command our music mandates. Slicing like a wayward surgeon with a trebly scalpel in this moment, and bum-rushing towering chord-slabs in the next, he knows well how to maximize passages' thrill capacities.

None of them would be as vividly electric as they are, of course, were it not for the sterling efforts of every other man jack at hand.

Recommended: "Rail Ripper (Theme from the Isle of the Forbidden)," "Robbin' Hood," "Thunderhead,"  "Waiting For a Spring Divorce," "You Dodged a Bullet," "The Twilight Waves"

Video: "Rail Ripper"
            "Robbin' Hood"


https://www.thepornadoes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thepornadoes/


https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thepornadoes4

https://open.spotify.com/album/7ckhKqW4rVJFwN9PuPCwqb





The Loving Apparitions
s/t (self)




Songs of an America not usually related respectfully, if at all, by slick, processed humanities texts. Nimbly picked acoustic strings, mellifluous voices entwined in harmonic consonance, and a warm, home-folks ambiance in which no good man is a stranger. Common tales, told with uncommon cleverness.

Recommended: "Hot Damn," "Pretty Eyes," "How Dare You," "Mother Mary," "What Planet I'm From," ''Better Than You," "My Old Ghosts"

Video: "Hot Damn"


https://www.facebook.com/thelovingapparitions/


https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thelovingapparitions2#

https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Apparitions-Explicit/dp/B07QDY4RNQ

https://soundcloud.com/thelovingapparitions




V/A
Psycho In the Street Vol #3
(Vicious Mistress Records)




Irrespective of raiment or aspect, coffin-splintering psycho in its essence is anger turned up. To the topmost level. It can rocket upward, veer in lateral carom, dive-bomb toward netherworldly consequence, or cruise ghostly boulevards with slitted eyes. 

But even when in rare, seeming repose, it calculates crazily. And it never, ever says no to a good time.

Explored here to arresting effect are the monster-music's diverse and impellent moods: Smash-down belligerence, off-balance ribaldry, drag-out devastation, and on-all-fours, full-moon baying.

There're even sinister streaks that amuse. Listen for them.


Recommended: "Grandma's a Killer" Graveyard Bashers, "Rock'N'Roll Bastards/Tear It Up" Mojo Men From Mars, "Toxic Wasted" Raw Dogs, "My Evil" Evil Elvis, "Year of the Witch" Teenage Exorcist, "Terror Under the Big Top" 5¢ Freakshow, "We Arrived (To Get You High)" The Troubled" "Horror Queen" The Blackrats, "Sanzonite" The Antipatix, "Hate Wheel" King Moroi.

Video: "Grandma's a Killer" Graveyard Bashers


https://viciousmistressrecords.bandcamp.com/album/psycho-in-the-street-vol-3



https://www.facebook.com/graveyardbashers/

https://www.facebook.com/MojoMenFromMars/

https://www.facebook.com/RawDogsOfficial/

https://www.facebook.com/Evil-Elvis-230817426966080/

https://www.facebook.com/TeenageExorcistmn/

https://www.facebook.com/5centfreakshow/

https://www.facebook.com/Thetroubledpsycho/

https://www.facebook.com/theblackratsofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/theantipatix/

https://www.facebook.com/KingMoroi/




Graveyard Bashers


Mojo Men From Mars


Raw Dogs


Evil Elvis


Teenage Exorcist


5¢ Freakshow


The Troubled


The Blackrats


The Antipatix


King Morai











Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Katarina and Her Poor Fellas one track
Rockabilly Fella
(self)




The hinted ominousness of this steadily driven noir elevates it to imperative rank. Though ably moderated, roar threatens. Singles aren't regularly featured, here. Listen to learn why an exception was made, this time.

Video: "Rockabilly Fella"


https://www.facebook.com/PoorFellas/

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/katarinaherpoorfellas








The Dragons EP
Flat Tire
(Samuele Ranieri / Dragons)



Early Stray Cats-mold rocking, energetic and winning in its every leap. A commanding meat-hook riff that at moments reminds of Mancini's Perry Gunn theme uncoils and slides with audacious intent deep within the title cut's heart.

Recommended: "Luxury," "Flat Tire" "Try This Love of Mine," "There For You," "Get Some Action," "On the Road Again"

Video: "Flat Tire" 

https://www.facebook.com/samranierirocks/

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thedragons12




Dragons singer/guitarist Sam Ranieri, with D.J. Fontana, in 2009.


The Boss Tweeds
Hot Rods To Hell
(Joe Hamilton / Tweedtone Records)




Compelling recollection of monster infatuation is deftly carried by smooth, country-blooded rockabilly replete with crooned backing voices. Elsewhere rise more gritty and even ominous moods. All is as should be.

Recommended: "Hot Rods To Hell," "Arkansas Best Freight Company," "She Creature," "Big Doll House," "Drag Strip Girl," "Secret Agent Fireball"

Video: "Hot Rods To Hell"


http://www.thebosstweeds.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBossTweeds/

https://www.reverbnation.com/thebosstweeds



https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thebosstweeds2

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rods-Hell-Boss-Tweeds/dp/B07QKPNDPX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=The+Boss+Tweeds&qid=1555104965&s=dmusic&search-type=ss&sr=1-3



V/A
Schnitzelbilly: Rockabilly Made In Austria
(Plan 9 Trash Records)



Those hip to the tip live for moments like this, in which raucous combustion, backwoods consciousness, whipcrack jump, and steadily swung agitation roll out loud, ragingly abloom, and doggone glad all over.

Recommended / videos: "Robot Girl" ( Joe Dee and His Jet-Tones), "Truckdriver Tom"  (The Oilchange Trio), "Groove Of the Dudes" (The Ridin' Dudes), "Shipwrecked" (The Lettners)



Joe Dee and His Jet-Tones https://joedee.org/

The Oilchange Trio https://www.facebook.com/theoilchangetrio/

The Ridin' Dudes https://www.theridindudes.com/

Lettners https://www.thelettners.com/



https://www.facebook.com/Plan9Prod/

https://www.schnitzelbilly.at/record-label/

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/schnitzelbillyrockabillym2


Joe Dee and His JetTones


The Oilchange Trio





The Lettners

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FORMER staff writer for Rockabilly and Pin Up America magazines. FREELANCE credits include Daily Caller, American Thinker, Free Republic, Huffington Post, Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Independent Political Report, USA Today, Des Moines Register, Iowa City Press-Citizen, Waterloo Courier, Cedar Falls Times, Marshalltown Times Republican, Cincinnati.com, IndyStar, Arizona Republic, No Depression, Goldmine, Blue Suede News, Rock and Rap Confidential, Crackerjack, Blues News, Wrecking Pit, Punk Globe, Prairie Sun, Music and Sound Output, BAM, New Music, and 1980s NYC fanzines Shake, Rattle, and Roll, Rebel Rouser, and Off the Wall. AUTHOR: Shake, Rattle and Rocket!, Ghost Saucers in the Sky!, Stratosphere Boogieman!, Flesh Made Music, That a Man Can Again Stand Up: American spirit vs, sedition during the incipient Trump Revolution, and Ideas Afoot: Political observations, social commentary, and media analyses. WORKED as 2004 Iowa coordinator for Ralph Nader independent presidential campaign; co-founded Iowa Green Party, also served as statewide media coordinator; press coordinator, 2002 Jay Robinson (Green) IA gubernatorial effort. Wrote extensively re Trump campaign..