Los High Tops and
Chantilly Lace Vincent
A Curse For the Lonely
(Los High Tops/Buzzking)
As on-paper impressive as is this confederation of a sinewy rockabilly squadron and the fabled Catman's lissome progeny, it bursts into truest conflagration when stylus locates groove.
Recommended: "A Curse For You" (LHT and CLV), "Black Cat" (LHT), "Hot Rod Mama" (LHT and CLV), "Walkin' the Floor" (LHT), "Tuesday Night" (LHT), "Jim Beam" (LHT and CLV)
Video: "A Curse For You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMC5onY1rj4
http://loshightops.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LosHighTops/
http://chantillylacevincent.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chantillylacevincent/
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/loshightops12
Capsule reviews by a jury of one: Iowa journalist/author DC Larson. Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Blues, Alternative, Western Swing, R and B, Punk, Swing, Hillbilly, Glam, Americana. DC Larson's retro science fiction writing blog, from which the Eddie Atomic Space Adventures are available, is RETRO RIFF BOOKS. And his political writings one is AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE. Both are also on Blogspot. All original content on these three blogs is under author copyright.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Dragan Zac Zdravkovic
and the Zacmondo Combo
That's The Rhythm
(Trater Records)
Pellucid tone, cohesiveness, and poise elevate to executive rank this jiving effort. Given the all 'round impressiveness of those responsible, every track resounds as a magnificently rendered formulation.
Of especial noteworthiness is Zac's own fretboard adroitness, a capacity that stoutly benefits.
Recommended: "Young and Beautiful," "Is It True What They Say Bout Dixie," "Rocket To the Moon," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," "Besame Mucho"
Video: "Young and Beautiful"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FmL3UFa-fA
https://www.facebook.com/draganzac.zdravkovic
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Rhythm-Dragan-Zdravkovic-Zacmondo/dp/B07L16DPFX/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1550685706&sr=1-1&keywords=zac+zdravkovic
and the Zacmondo Combo
That's The Rhythm
(Trater Records)
Pellucid tone, cohesiveness, and poise elevate to executive rank this jiving effort. Given the all 'round impressiveness of those responsible, every track resounds as a magnificently rendered formulation.
Of especial noteworthiness is Zac's own fretboard adroitness, a capacity that stoutly benefits.
Recommended: "Young and Beautiful," "Is It True What They Say Bout Dixie," "Rocket To the Moon," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," "Besame Mucho"
Video: "Young and Beautiful"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FmL3UFa-fA
https://www.facebook.com/draganzac.zdravkovic
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Rhythm-Dragan-Zdravkovic-Zacmondo/dp/B07L16DPFX/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1550685706&sr=1-1&keywords=zac+zdravkovic
Greenland Whalefishers
Based On a True Story
(Greenland Whalefishers /
Patchwork Record Production)
Forcefully illustrated is the oneness of musics old and new, in this compelling Irish Punk effort. The beat charges, indefatigable guitars grind, and -- wonderfully at home in the midst of that storm -- Old World folk airs frolic and gambol.
Recommended: "Friend/Enemy," "K Says," "Joe's Town," "Halloween," "Bad Match," "Together," "Ticket"
Video: "Friend/Enemy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PYph2VedZ4
Video: "K Says"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1u87AspZhc
https://whalefishers.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/greenlandwhalefishers/
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/greenlandwhalefishers7#
Based On a True Story
(Greenland Whalefishers /
Patchwork Record Production)
Forcefully illustrated is the oneness of musics old and new, in this compelling Irish Punk effort. The beat charges, indefatigable guitars grind, and -- wonderfully at home in the midst of that storm -- Old World folk airs frolic and gambol.
Recommended: "Friend/Enemy," "K Says," "Joe's Town," "Halloween," "Bad Match," "Together," "Ticket"
Video: "Friend/Enemy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PYph2VedZ4
Video: "K Says"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1u87AspZhc
https://whalefishers.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/greenlandwhalefishers/
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/greenlandwhalefishers7#
Shyboys
Gotta Gimme Rockin'
(Ilen Records)
Economic arrangements fly toward happy destinations, their alacritous progress neatly enabled by spirited playing that profoundly digs the ecstatic process.
Recommended: "Gotta Gimme Rockin'," "I'm On My Feet," "Blue Thunderbird," "Valley Country Boys," "Ready To Rumble," "
Video: "Gotta Gimme Rockin'"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wM_MdIHhC0
https://www.facebook.com/Shyboys-481125602073158/
http://www.ilenrecords.com/
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/shyboys#
Gotta Gimme Rockin'
(Ilen Records)
Economic arrangements fly toward happy destinations, their alacritous progress neatly enabled by spirited playing that profoundly digs the ecstatic process.
Recommended: "Gotta Gimme Rockin'," "I'm On My Feet," "Blue Thunderbird," "Valley Country Boys," "Ready To Rumble," "
Video: "Gotta Gimme Rockin'"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wM_MdIHhC0
https://www.facebook.com/Shyboys-481125602073158/
http://www.ilenrecords.com/
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/shyboys#
Friday, March 8, 2019
Go Go Killers
Hallucinogenitalia
(self)
To only note Hasil Adkins/Cramps accents is to miss that the proudly oddball utterings of the Go Go Killers (in which illicit ribaldry wigs completely out to tilted garage-punk exhortations) are in strident manners unique, and are no less screwed-up blasts than the id-wrenching archetypes that were mongered way back when.
Recommended: "Planet Fuck," "Birthday Cake," "Haunted By Ghosts and Taunted By Demons," "UFOs," "How Do You Voodoo," "Raw Dog," "Werewolves In Heels," "The Hand," "She Says Oooo Ahhh," "The Man With the X Ray-Eyes," "Gonna Go Evil," "Sex Killer," "Caught a Demon Last Night"
Video: "Planet Fuck"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlV-bJ6A1C0
https://gogokillers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GoGoKillers/
https://thego-gokillers.bandcamp.com/album/hallucinogenitalia
https://www.reverbnation.com/thegogokillers
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/gogokillers4
https://www.amazon.com/Hallucinogenitalia-Explicit-Go-Go-Killers/dp/B073RNKRMH
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ihV18kRVLKwtFeLAiWSrV?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/hallucinogenitalia/1256522961
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/44310351
https://www.discogs.com/The-Go-Go-Killers-Hallucinogenitalia/release/10771166
Hallucinogenitalia
(self)
To only note Hasil Adkins/Cramps accents is to miss that the proudly oddball utterings of the Go Go Killers (in which illicit ribaldry wigs completely out to tilted garage-punk exhortations) are in strident manners unique, and are no less screwed-up blasts than the id-wrenching archetypes that were mongered way back when.
Recommended: "Planet Fuck," "Birthday Cake," "Haunted By Ghosts and Taunted By Demons," "UFOs," "How Do You Voodoo," "Raw Dog," "Werewolves In Heels," "The Hand," "She Says Oooo Ahhh," "The Man With the X Ray-Eyes," "Gonna Go Evil," "Sex Killer," "Caught a Demon Last Night"
Video: "Planet Fuck"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlV-bJ6A1C0
https://gogokillers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GoGoKillers/
https://thego-gokillers.bandcamp.com/album/hallucinogenitalia
https://www.reverbnation.com/thegogokillers
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/gogokillers4
https://www.amazon.com/Hallucinogenitalia-Explicit-Go-Go-Killers/dp/B073RNKRMH
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ihV18kRVLKwtFeLAiWSrV?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/hallucinogenitalia/1256522961
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/44310351
https://www.discogs.com/The-Go-Go-Killers-Hallucinogenitalia/release/10771166
Voodoo Zombie
Reviresco
(Batcave Records)
Attests that latent ominousness can erupt into alluring bomb blasts. Peculiarity, in provocative aspect.
Recommended: "Amor Psycho," "La Lamada de Cthulu," "Un Mejor Cadillac," "Existencia Infernal," "Amarte Es Peligroso," "Zombiewalk," "El Mesias"
Video: "Amor Psycho"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRuOPkNLzLs
https://www.facebook.com/voodoozombieoficial/?ref=br_rs
https://www.batcaverecords.com/voodoo-zombie?fbclid=IwAR04cs6j2eolDa974xSuKW7kgjmO3nOMSpH7Jb-B2zS33v6ScOfR9H-Udiw
https://www.amazon.com/Reviresco-Voodoo-Zombie/dp/B07KYTR6D2
https://open.spotify.com/album/5cLllbBpKA820JcKoM7Mut
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/80347362
Reviresco
(Batcave Records)
Attests that latent ominousness can erupt into alluring bomb blasts. Peculiarity, in provocative aspect.
Recommended: "Amor Psycho," "La Lamada de Cthulu," "Un Mejor Cadillac," "Existencia Infernal," "Amarte Es Peligroso," "Zombiewalk," "El Mesias"
Video: "Amor Psycho"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRuOPkNLzLs
https://www.facebook.com/voodoozombieoficial/?ref=br_rs
https://www.batcaverecords.com/voodoo-zombie?fbclid=IwAR04cs6j2eolDa974xSuKW7kgjmO3nOMSpH7Jb-B2zS33v6ScOfR9H-Udiw
https://www.amazon.com/Reviresco-Voodoo-Zombie/dp/B07KYTR6D2
https://open.spotify.com/album/5cLllbBpKA820JcKoM7Mut
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/80347362
JD and the Straight Shot
The Great Divide
In this Americana acoustic-stringed atmosphere, quiet power enjoys purchase.
Recommended: "The Great Divide," "Jessica," "Dead Men Tell No Tales," "Walkin' On a Wire," "It Must Be Right," "Bees," "Take It Slow"
Video: "The Great Divide"
https://www.jdandthestraightshot.com/site/blog/new-music-video-for-the-great-divide-out-now/
http://www.jdandthestraightshot.com/site/
https://www.facebook.com/jdandthestraightshot/
The Great Divide
In this Americana acoustic-stringed atmosphere, quiet power enjoys purchase.
Recommended: "The Great Divide," "Jessica," "Dead Men Tell No Tales," "Walkin' On a Wire," "It Must Be Right," "Bees," "Take It Slow"
Video: "The Great Divide"
https://www.jdandthestraightshot.com/site/blog/new-music-video-for-the-great-divide-out-now/
http://www.jdandthestraightshot.com/site/
https://www.facebook.com/jdandthestraightshot/
Teenage Exorcist
Year of the Witch
(self)
That this hard-lashed and purposeful rockabilly will never echo in awards show halls affirms its vitality.
Recommended: "Hollywood Ramble On," "Soul Coffin," "Haunt Me," "Year of the Witch," "Down With the Ship"
Video: "Haunt Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFouo8Z6S8
https://www.facebook.com/TeenageExorcistmn/
https://teenageexorcistmn.bandcamp.com/album/year-of-the-witch
https://www.amazon.com/Year-of-the-Witch/dp/B07NGTKLLZ
https://open.spotify.com/album/51eykMm0t9nIIuE2VsoR1g
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/86726262
Year of the Witch
(self)
That this hard-lashed and purposeful rockabilly will never echo in awards show halls affirms its vitality.
Recommended: "Hollywood Ramble On," "Soul Coffin," "Haunt Me," "Year of the Witch," "Down With the Ship"
Video: "Haunt Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFouo8Z6S8
https://www.facebook.com/TeenageExorcistmn/
https://teenageexorcistmn.bandcamp.com/album/year-of-the-witch
https://www.amazon.com/Year-of-the-Witch/dp/B07NGTKLLZ
https://open.spotify.com/album/51eykMm0t9nIIuE2VsoR1g
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/86726262
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Rockabilly and political correctness cannot coexist
For some of us, rockabilly is more than simply music. It's the heartbeat of our existences. It recalls memories, offers exultation in the moment, and promises future delights.
It is a proud lifestyle that cares not for status quo sensibilities. In fact, it gets a kick out of upsetting straitjacketing mores.
It originated as a rebel music. And it should never be made tame.
The statement recently issued by Viva Las Vegas founder Tom Ingram and five other rockabilly event organizers is troubling.
We understand that the Confederate Flag has, for many years, been adopted by some as a signal of the rockabilly and roots music we all love, it began.
However, we also recognize that this same flag can cause offence, as it is also used by race hate groups and is on the FBI's hate symbols list.
(Who compiled such a list? By what standards do they determine 'hatefulness?' And why should the rest of us heed their cautions and adjust our attitudes, accordingly?)
In view of this, we feel everyone will agree that there is no need for it to be displayed at our rockin' festivals and weekenders, which bring people together from all around the world, to celebrate our shared passion for music and lifestyle.
Therefore, we ask you that at the following events, you do not display the Confederate flag or any other flags/symbols that people may understandably find offensive.
Thank you for your understanding.
Signed:
Tom Ingram (VLV)
Jerry Chatterbox (Rockabilly Rave)
Guille and Vivi (Rockabilly Race)
Robin and Collette (Rhythm Riot) plus
Atomic Vintage Festival (UK)
Mark McDonagh (Viva East)
Some festival bands and attendees sport Confederate Flag symbols on their clothes, instruments, and, perhaps, backdrops. So it is nonsensical to claim that "everyone" would agree with the clampdown edict. That obviously is not the case.
And consider the ominous line about eschewing "any other flags/symbols that people may understandably find offensive."
National stories in the last year or so told of efforts to ban the U.S. flag from universities. Will the Stars and Stripes one day be draped over the PC chopping block? And might festival organizers heft the dooming axe?
Anti-individual expression rules like this respect interests of hypothetical listeners over those of actual speakers.
"Heckler's veto" refers to when an anticipated listener's dislike of a potential message is allowed to prevent its being uttered. There is a simple solution that can satisfy both speaker and listener.
If someone doesn't agree with a message, they need not listen. They are free to walk away, turn the channel, or not buy the record. But they do not have the right to define the world in which we all live, to decide what others may say, or listen to.
If you don't care for a statement, don't make it. But don't try to exercise editorial discretion over your neighbor.
Probably at least one reason Viva Las Vegas etc are today stifling speech is legitimate fear that sponsors would be besieged by online petition protests. Companies could, as a result, pull their sponsorship of events.
And that trepidation is certainly understandable. No one would be well served, were these festivals ceased. They are privately owned, and organizers are well within their rights to set whatever standards they please, for such reasons as they choose.
But make no mistake: Organizers are granting the upper hand to trembly advertisers and finger-wagging moralists whose philosophical antecedents tried to shut down rockabilly back in the Sun Era.
And that ain't nothin' but wrong.
For some of us, rockabilly is more than simply music. It's the heartbeat of our existences. It recalls memories, offers exultation in the moment, and promises future delights.
It is a proud lifestyle that cares not for status quo sensibilities. In fact, it gets a kick out of upsetting straitjacketing mores.
It originated as a rebel music. And it should never be made tame.
The statement recently issued by Viva Las Vegas founder Tom Ingram and five other rockabilly event organizers is troubling.
We understand that the Confederate Flag has, for many years, been adopted by some as a signal of the rockabilly and roots music we all love, it began.
However, we also recognize that this same flag can cause offence, as it is also used by race hate groups and is on the FBI's hate symbols list.
(Who compiled such a list? By what standards do they determine 'hatefulness?' And why should the rest of us heed their cautions and adjust our attitudes, accordingly?)
In view of this, we feel everyone will agree that there is no need for it to be displayed at our rockin' festivals and weekenders, which bring people together from all around the world, to celebrate our shared passion for music and lifestyle.
Therefore, we ask you that at the following events, you do not display the Confederate flag or any other flags/symbols that people may understandably find offensive.
Thank you for your understanding.
Signed:
Tom Ingram (VLV)
Jerry Chatterbox (Rockabilly Rave)
Guille and Vivi (Rockabilly Race)
Robin and Collette (Rhythm Riot) plus
Atomic Vintage Festival (UK)
Mark McDonagh (Viva East)
Some festival bands and attendees sport Confederate Flag symbols on their clothes, instruments, and, perhaps, backdrops. So it is nonsensical to claim that "everyone" would agree with the clampdown edict. That obviously is not the case.
And consider the ominous line about eschewing "any other flags/symbols that people may understandably find offensive."
National stories in the last year or so told of efforts to ban the U.S. flag from universities. Will the Stars and Stripes one day be draped over the PC chopping block? And might festival organizers heft the dooming axe?
Anti-individual expression rules like this respect interests of hypothetical listeners over those of actual speakers.
"Heckler's veto" refers to when an anticipated listener's dislike of a potential message is allowed to prevent its being uttered. There is a simple solution that can satisfy both speaker and listener.
If someone doesn't agree with a message, they need not listen. They are free to walk away, turn the channel, or not buy the record. But they do not have the right to define the world in which we all live, to decide what others may say, or listen to.
If you don't care for a statement, don't make it. But don't try to exercise editorial discretion over your neighbor.
Probably at least one reason Viva Las Vegas etc are today stifling speech is legitimate fear that sponsors would be besieged by online petition protests. Companies could, as a result, pull their sponsorship of events.
And that trepidation is certainly understandable. No one would be well served, were these festivals ceased. They are privately owned, and organizers are well within their rights to set whatever standards they please, for such reasons as they choose.
But make no mistake: Organizers are granting the upper hand to trembly advertisers and finger-wagging moralists whose philosophical antecedents tried to shut down rockabilly back in the Sun Era.
And that ain't nothin' but wrong.