Shaved For Battle
Until We Die
(Independent)
Hardbitten Oi!, in aggressive 1980s fashion. All instruments charge into the street brawl, with rope-burnt vocals gnashing and exclaiming in guttural spleneticism. The banner flies aloft, and chords fly like punches. Boots stomp to neon-lighted victory.
Recommended: "Go Fuck Yourself," "I Hate You," "Violence," "Confrontation," "Where You Came From," "What Will It Take," "He's a Skin (Anti-Heros)"
Video: "Where You Came From"
Back In the Day: 1980
Various
Teen-age Cruisers
(Rollin' Rock / Rhino)
An X-rated film with a rockabilly soundtrack sounded propitious to someone. It wasn't. Even spotlighting porno star Serena, and boasting notables from Rollin' Rock, didn't result in success on the sticky-floor circuit. But on its own, this soundtrack made for rousing listening. Forget the celluloid, pursue the vinyl.
In 2010, Germany's Part Records reissued the LP on compact disc.
Recommended: "Are You Hep To It?" (Johnny Legend), "Bad Boy" (Billy Zoom), "Marie, Marie" (Blasters), "The Newest Wave" (Ray Campi), "Hard Knocks and Tough Rocks" (Wildman Tony Conn), "Backseat Boogie" (Jerry Sikorski), "That Certain Female" (Charlie Feathers)
Video: "That Certain Female"
Guitar Slingers
Adios Amigo
(Diablo Records)
Previously released exclusively on CD, this is now available on vinyl. Diablo advises it has already sold out. So begins the hunt.
Recommended: "Guns of Diablo," "I Feel Psycho," "Guitar Slingin' SOB," "Psycho Mad 'n' Proud," "Bonebreaker," "Drinkin' Fightin' Fuckin'," "The Ballad of Jimmy Miller," "Adios Amigo," "Seven Deadly Sins"
Video: "Psycho Mad 'n' Proud"
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Various
The Girls of Modern Rockabilly
(Always A Hit Records)
As might be expected with a release encompassing varied acts, the manners herein collated differ in presentation. But in all breathes the vital essence of rock'n'roll. There is much here to appreciate, many reasons to roll back the rug.
Recommended: "Shotgun Daddy" (Whiskey Jean), "Rockin' Days, Rollin' Nights" (Dandies), "Boppin' In the Storm" (Little Martha), "Let the Teardrops Fall" (Cow Cow Boogie), "Slap That Bottom" (Boom! Boom! Deluxe), "Let's Ride" (Maryann Lantz), "Daddy's Girl" (Bamboozle)
Video: "Slap That Bottom"
Lonesome Dave Fisher
Rockabilly Route One
(Independent)
The title notwithstading, Texan Dave self-assuredly ventures into several genres, including western swing and reflective country. Leisurely picked music by men clearly having fun. Which means a good time for listeners, too; perhaps that's the highest compliment possible.
Recommended: "Hill Country Special," "I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome," "Act Your Age," "Sweet Medicine," "Way Back When," "House Of Love," "Brand New Shade Of Cool," "Happy Go Lucky"
Video: "Way Back When"
Back In the Day: 1979
Jimmie Lee Maslon
Salacious Rockabilly Cat
(Rollin' Rock Records)
Some of these tracks were put to tape when Jimmie Lee was but a lad of fifteen summers. Even then, he was a raucous stalwart of Ronny Weiser's storied Rollin' Rock stable, an assemblage that included Gene Vincent, Colin Winski, Ray Campi, and Jerry Sikorski. In fact, Ray (and Rip Masters) are featured players on this, a rough-hewn platform for febrile rockabilly mindful of its country blood.
1997 saw an expanded reissue from HMG/Hightone
Recommended: "That Gal's Wicked," "Bip Bop Boom," "Back In My Bed," "3-D Daddy," "True Fine Baby," "Love Train," "I Am What I Am," "Your Wildcat Ways"
Video: "Your Wilddcat Ways"
