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Sunday, October 19, 2025

Back in the Day, 1978

Whirlwind

Blowing Up a Storm

(Chiswick)


In years just prior to Psychobilly's acension as a wicked gleam in P. Paul's eye, English pomps and spikes slammed shoulders at gigs wrought by Whirlwind. On this, the combo's vinyl coming-out, traditions ring much more loudly than does modernity, but colorful crispness makes dashing declarations.

The last band's circa '77 members - Nigel Dixon, Mick Lewis, Phil Hardy, and Chris Emo - grabbed attention with jittercat rave-ups calculated to engender palladium pandemonium. The four sporadically pulled up short to render balladeering conducive to belly-rubs with baby dolls.

Follow-up Midnight Blue (see prior Juke Box Jury review) winningly dug far into like turf. Whirlwind's imprint echoed in bands who later hefted the roots banner, true, but slapping Blowing Up a Storm and Midnight Blue onto turntables produces singular kicks.

Recommended: "Boppin' High School Baby," "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It," "My Advice," "A Thousand Stars," "One More Chance," "Don't Be Crazy," "Rocking Daddy," "Slow Down," "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Together Forever," "Who's That Knocking," "Tore Apart"

Videos: "Boppin' High School Baby / Don't Be Crazy" (1980 TV), "Who's That Knocking,"  Bonus clip: "I Thought it Over" (1978 live, non-LP number from Saturday Banana program. Recorded off TV by bassist Chris Emo's father)


Facebook (guitarist Mick Lewis)

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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..