Rockabilly Revival

Katy Perry Rockabilly Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:53:00 +0000

No-one does color-co-ordinated quite like Katy Perry.

She's turned out to this year's EMAs in Rockabilly pink.

Learn to play Rockabilly Guitar with the Greats

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:56:00 +0000

This old VHS video on learning how to play rockabilly guitar has surfaced on YouTube.

Check it out...it features rockabilly greats, James Burton, Brian Setzer, Danny Gatton, Joe Dalton, Arlen Roth and Scotty Anderson.

Lucky 13 celebrates 20 years

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:40:00 +0000

The Lucky 13 label is celebrating 20 years in the clothing game. Back in 1991, Bobby Kloetzly along with Arnie Sakamoto and a few of their friends started the line out of a building in Westminster. They quickly became a staple in Southern California, especially in the punk rock, psychobilly and rockabilly music scenes.

They're now based in Santa Ana and run like a well-oiled machine with about 80 per cent of the total manufacturing happening on-site.

Their headquarters also has a band rooms, so when artists decide to stop by, they have a place to chill.

Bobby Kloetzly spoke to Kelli Skye Fadroski from The County Orange Register about the 20 years of Lucky 13.

He admitted that, while being in the business for 20 years is no small feat, there have been some rough patches along the way.

I definitely wasn't expecting to make it this far, he says. Not that we had any goal in mind in particular, but that we did make it through a couple of tough times with this company is pretty exciting. All of a sudden we realize Hey, it's our 20th year this year' and we needed to do something about it. So we've had a couple of events and we're making a couple of limited edition items and we're having a lot of fun with it. There are a lot of people that have been with us along this road and everyone is kind of shaking their heads at the same time going, Wow, where did the time go?' Twenty years, just like that.

As Kelli reports:

Lucky 13's style, for women, includes pin-up and 1920s-40s style dresses in various colors and patterns, pencil skirts, halter tops and button-up cardigans. For men, the fashion features a lot of collared work or bowling shirts in various colors and patterns that include embroidery. T-shirts and tanks include traditional style tattoo flash such as skulls, roses, crosses, vintage pin-up girls, anchors, cars, motorcycles, guitars and more. Lucky 13 even designs clothing for babies, tweens and toddlers.

A Celebration of Rust and Grease

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:47:00 +0000

The 11th Kustom Kills and Hot Rod Thrills show took place last weekend under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It's been reported in the New York Times as being the biggest and best of their annual shows, gathering "rat rodders" and other customizers, along with rockabilly bands to Union Street.

The usual mix of rusty and matte-black cars was supplemented with gleaming, freshly painted retromobiles and elegant hydraulically suspended models. At the show, rust is no longer a must.

Amid the burble of undermuffled engines and the bleating of horns from the highway ramp, a variety of vendors proffered more than just the usual T-shirts and hot dogs. Three dollars would get you an engine bolt — and a complimentary beer. Female rockabilly models signed autographs and posed for pictures. Men had their hair cut by a barber on the spot.

Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:55:00 +0000

For those that love it, rockabilly isn't just a music genre, it's a way of life. In Andrew Shaylor's latest book, Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene, the photographer has been granted exclusive access at events in the UK and US to capture the raw energy and the commitment of the rockabilly community to authenticity. Featuring the history of the subculture by rockabilly legend Jerry Chatabox, the book evokes the passion and intensity of a scene that is as exciting today as it was more than 50 years ago.

My Central Jersey says the book is the best and most comprehensive of its kind.

It's a brilliant story in photographs of an historic period in rock 'n' roll that has been souped-up and repolished for a new counter-culture movement.

In the book’s foreward, UK Rockabilly Rave organizer Jerry Chatabox cites the wild stage show and brightly dyed hair of Sonny Burgess, the then-racy songs and dress of Charline Arthur and the hard drinking, hard partying lifestyle of the “world’s first real rock star,” Hank Williams, as just a few examples of how far back these tenets of punk rock really go.

$33.33 at Amazon

Rockabilly Hair and Make up

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:09:00 +0000

Sara Ashouri is a Make-up Artist who blogs on make up, with the latest reviews and how-tos.

She recently posted that one of her favorite styles to experiment with and wear is the rockabilly look. Sara says a bandana in the hair is one of the edgier, yet easiest looks to achieve.

Here's what she says you need to do:

Line the bandana up like a triangle. You can fold the bandana to make it smaller for when it goes around your head. You hold it by the two ends, and while your hair is up in a bun, you place the bandana underneath, closest to your next, with the two ends at the very top of your head. Then you just tie it and secure with bobby pins if needed.

As for makeup she says for her it's all about the eyes, full lashes, carbon black eyeliner - and the lips.

Keep in mind you can always experiment with look in your own way. A red lip isn’t the only color you have to do to achieve the look, especially if its worn during the day. Other colors I love playing around with are baby pinks, mauves, corals, and hot pinks. Just make a semi-bold statement with your lips! And be sure to have that clean looking winged liner. Two of the main important things of the make-up.

It's Elvis Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:10:00 +0000

It's Elvis Week in Memphis, Tennessee - the annual commemoraton of his death. As part of celebrations, British musician pete Best (the Beatles' original drummer) and several rockabilly artists will kick things off with a concert at Levitt Shell in Overton Park, where Presley performed in 1954.

Other activities include a tribute artist contest, riverboat cruise, gospel singing, memorial service and candlelight vigil. In addition, Elvis Presley Live: The King in Concert at the Orpheum theater will feature Presley's vocals from the film, Elvis: That's the Way It Is, accompanied on stage by a band and harmony singers.

Elvis Week guests will include Presley's musical director Joe Guercio and guitarist John Wilkinson, biographer Peter Guralnick, longtime friend George Klein and photographer Alfred Wertheimer.

Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977.

Adele Up for Rockabilly

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:44:00 +0000

While British singer Adele has had huge success with her album, 21, she's revealed that her latest influences are country, rockabilly and bulegrass thanks to her recent US tour.

Adele told The Sun that the melodies and to-the-point lyrics she's found in a lot of American styles of music is something she definitely wants to pursue from now on.

"I want to spend some time in Austin in Texas and Nashville, Tennessee, and learn about it," she said.

Adele will be touring the UK and US through until October 21 and is then likely to start work on a new album.

Her breakthrough sophomore LP, 21, reached number one in album charts in 17 countries. In the UK, Adele has spent more time at the top of the charts than any female artist in history.

Check out Adele's "Rolling In The Deep"

Chloe Moretz Goes Rockabilly

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:48:00 +0000

Drew Barrymore has directed the video for Best Coast's single "Our Deal". It's now out and kind of what you'd expect from a hipster West Side Story featuring Chloe Moretz, Miranda Cosgrove, Donald Glover, Tyler Posey and Alia Shawkat.

Chloe Moretz says she loved her greaser-hip wardrobe.

"I never dress like this in real life so it's fun to embody something else and become a different person and get to rock out a little bit, you know?" she says. "I love my fight look with the red leather pants. It's really cool and it's crazy! I've never worn red lips before on screen so it's very exciting. I absolutely love it."

The entire cast dons an ingeniously styled wardrobe boasting a taste of every decade — 50s rockabilly, 70s punk and 80s attitude and all make an appearance in the myriad of torn-up jeaned vests, Converse high-tops, chains and applique wolf-head leather jackets.

Whole Lotta Shakin in Central Park

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:03:00 +0000

The Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, performed in New York's Central Park on Wednesday night. Irish singer Imelda May was there to join her on stage for a rendition of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” that led into Jackson’s own signature hit “Let’s Have a Party.”

Imelda May - Mayhem

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:52:00 +0000

If there's an overlap between burlesque and rockabilly, Dubliner Imelda May embodies it. While she looks amazing in skintight leopard-print and red lipstick, musically she shows there's nothing retro about rockabilly. For her it's a living, vital genre.

Mayhem is May's third album and was originally released in Ireland and the UK in September and October of last year respectively and spawned an impressive four singles.

She wrote virtually every song (apart from a cover of Tainted Love, which has been rejigged as a feverish waltz for guitar, drums and voice), and sings them with heart and humour.

Except for the two more-than-competent country-inflected numbers, “Eternity” and “Proud and Humble”, May and her band otherwise remain true to their core repertoire of upbeat rockabilly and slower balladry.

“Kentish Town Waltz” is a strong step forward in terms of making May’s slower tracks almost as compelling as her upbeat work, but on Mayhem the softer side generally continues to play second string. The propulsive “Let Me Out” brings the main body of the album to a classy conclusion, not least because of her husband and guitarist Darrel Higham’s dynamic solo.

Things are going well for May these days. Professional support from Jeff Beck and Wanda Jackson, with whom she’s performed several times, including at a gig in Central Park earlier this week, is helping May become as well known in North America as in her homeland.

Mayhem is an essential listen for those who believe, as May does, in the living, breathing powers of rockabilly and the blues.

$7.99

Queen of the Minor Key.

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:02:00 +0000

Eilen Jewell, from Boston, is back with her fourth album, Queen of the Minor Key

If you haven't heard Eilen (her name rhymes with feelin'), then she's been described as Lucinda Williams, Peggy Lee and Gillian Welch combined. This new record features elements of the blues, surf guitar, rockabilly and country

Eilen says she suffered a case of writer's block after her 2009 release of Sea of Tears. She decided to head to a cabin in the mountains of Idaho, where she's originally from. It was there, cut off from the outside world, electricity and running water, that Eilen was able to focus solely on writing sketches of songs, break the block and build the framework of Queen of the Minor Key.

Along with her long-time band of Jason Beek (drums, harmony vocals), Jerry Miller (electric, acoustic and steel guitars), and Johnny Sciascia (upright bass), together the players turned the sketches into songs.

Produced by Jewell and her band, Queen of the Minor Key, also features guest appearances from Zoe Muth and Big Sandy (from Big Sandy and the Fly Right Boys).

$12.58

Nick 13

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:23:00 +0000

After four albums and more than 10 years of touring with psychobilly outfit, Tiger Army, frontman and songwriter, Nick 13 has released his first solo album. And he says it's time to really explore the country genre.

Nick 13 told CMT.com that he's taken his inspiration from Western ballads and what has emerged is a self-titled project that harkens back to hs favorite era of country music -- the '40s, '50s and '60s -- and benefits from some of the most highly regarded musicians Nashville and SoCal have to offer. Famed steel guitarists Lloyd Green and Greg Leisz contribute their talents (Leisz also co-produces the record) while Sara Watkins, formerly of Nickel Creek, provides the fiddle tracks.

Nick 13 told CMT.com that he simply wanted to make a record of the music that was exciting him at the time, but he doesn't mind the idea of exposing his Tiger Army fans to country, either.

You can check out the full interview here, on why a punk rocker would be interested in country music, how he found more than he bargained for in Nashville and why he wants to remind Californians of their heritage.

You can also grab the album now...either on MP3, CD or limited edition Vinyl.

MP3 $5.99

CD $9.71

Vinyl $18.39

The Wanda Jackson Tour Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:26:00 +0000

There's still time to catch Rockabilly legend, Wanda Jackson as she continues her tour around the country, now playing with Imelda May and Justin Townes Earle.

Wanda is credited as being the first woman to ever record a rock and roll song—”Let’s Have a Party” in 1958—when was convinced by her friend Elvis Presley to cross over from country to rock and rockabilly music. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she is now known around the globe as “The Queen of Rock” and “The First Lady of Rockabilly.”

Jackson opened for the young British singer/songwriter Adele for nine sold-out performances in May and June. She says of these shows, “I was thrilled to learn that my music has been an influence on such a talent as Adele. I am looking forward to the concert tour with her. We’re gonna have a party!”

Wanda will be playing tracks from her latest album, The Party Aint Over which was recorded by fan and new-found friend Jack White at his Nashville studio and recorded with a late-night honky-tonk feel by members of My Morning Jacket, the Raconteurs, and Dead Weather, among others.

The White-curated lineup of tunes, says Jackson, showcases "all the various types of music that I've done through the years-some country, some gospel, some rockabilly, some rock n' roll. It's got all of that, and we threw in a Bob Dylan song 'Thunder On the Mountain,' just to be safe."

The album has received tremendous critical praise, with NPR saying “White coaxes a performance from Jackson that fits her as well today as it did in 1958,” and the New York Times concurring that Jackson “still sounds fantastic, and her gnarled, feisty vocals are a good fit with Mr. White’s scrappy production.”

Wanda is playing with Imelda May on the following dates:

July 26, 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
July 27, Central Park SummerStage, New York, NY
July 28, The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA\
July 30, Musikfest Café, Bethlehem, PA
July 31, Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI
August 5, Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton, AB, Canada
August 6, Music in the Zoo, Apple Valley, MN (Justin Townes Earle)

$11.67

Amy Winehouse

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:35:00 +0000

Sad news today that British singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at the age of 27.

It seems she lost her battle with addictions since becoming a star in 2007 with Black to Black, winner of five Grammys.

The soul diva follows in the tragic footsteps of similarly troubled artists from Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin to Kurt Cobain.

Reuters reported that Winehouse was found dead at her home in Camden, north London, England. Police were called to the address Saturday.

"Inquiries continue into the circumstances of the death at this early stage. It is being treated as unexplained," a police representative said.

Last month, at Winehouse's performance in Serbia, she was jeered by the crowd, struggled to perform her songs and keep her balance as her band gamely played on. On some tunes, the audience did most of the singing.

The performance, which was posted on YouTube, prompted her management to cancel all her scheduled performances and give the performer as long as it took to recover.

The Guardian writes:

Winehouse's music spoke to people so persuasively that her second album, Back to Black, became Britain's bestselling record of 2007 and reached number two in the US, making her one of only a few British female soloists to achieve that level of transatlantic recognition. Its success spurred sales of her initially overlooked first album, Frank (2003), so titled because of the diary-style lyrics that produced songs such as Stronger Than Me, which railed against a "gay ladyboy" ex-boyfriend. The two sold a total of more than 10m copies worldwide.

Born to a Jewish family in north Finchley, north London, Winehouse grew up listening to the jazz albums of her taxi-driver father, Mitch. He and her pharmacist mother, Janis, later divorced.

Amy caught the performing bug so early that by the age of eight she was attending stage school. She spent time at three, including the Sylvia Young theatre school, central London, from which she was expelled for "not applying herself", and the Brit school in Croydon, south London. Rebellious instincts surfaced in her mid-teens: by 16, she had acquired her first tattoo and was smoking cannabis. "My parents pretty much realised that I would do whatever I wanted, and that was it, really," she said later.

RIP Amy Winehouse

Pin-Up and Rockabilly Makeup for Vintage Styling

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +0000

The author of Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques, Lauren Rennells, has released a new book, this time on vintage makeup called Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look.

It's a fantastic guide for anyone wanting step by step tips and techniques on how to achieve the retro/pinup/rocakabilly look with with LOTS of pcitures to illustrate each step.

Retro Makeup: Techniques for applying the Vintage Look is a history and application guide for vintage cosmetic styles. It is a companion book to Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques. It starts with a brief history on the acceptance of makeup at the beginning of the 20th century and continues to explain in detail the styles, colors and techniques for applying makeup to look like the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Included in each decade are step-by-step directions on full makeup styles inspired by famous women such as Josephine Baker in the 1920s, Jean Harlow in the 1930s, Rita Hayworth in the 1940s, Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, and Twiggy in the 1960s. The book also includes factual information about what defined the makeup looks of the decades based on popular culture of the time.

About the Author

Hair and makeup artist Lauren Rennells works in the photography and film industry. She freelances providing unique designs for advertisements, films, television and private clients. Her passion for beauty of the past led her to write Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look and Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques.

Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look

The Gangster's Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:25:00 +0000

The Gangsters' Ball is back. For the fourth year in a row you can catch it in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in September.

Each year more than 3,000 people turn out for a fully themed night of fashion, style, humour and classic entertainment of the '30s and '40s. It features some of the biggest names in Cabaret, Sideshow Vaudeville, Magic/Illusion and Big Band Swing.

This year’s headline acts include renowned MC and Comedic Vaudeville performer Asher Treleaven, stunning Burlesque artist Gypsy Wood, acclaimed Acrobatics troupe This Side Up and Australia’s leading female Magic and Illusion artist, Cath Jamison

Dates for the Gangsters' Ball 2011:

Saturday 3rd September 2011:
The Gangsters' Ball SYDNEY - Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW

Saturday 10th September 2011:The Gangsters' Ball BRISBANE - The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley, QLD

Saturday 17th September 2011:
The Gangsters' Ball MELBOURNE - Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC

Head over to The Gangsters' Ball for more details

Viva Las Vegas 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:30:00 +0000

It's the weekend that really rocks. Tickets for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender are on sale already!

It runs from April 5 to April 8 2012 and you won't want to miss it.

It's all about getting on your best 50s garb - sorting out your hair, checking out the burlesque shows and bathing suit contests, pool parties, fashion shows, round the clock rock 'n' roll bands, add in plenty to drink and more than 700 rods and you have a weekend that rocks!

Here's just some of the highlights:

Car Show

The Viva Las Vegas Car Show is the best car show of its type anywhere. Cars are strictly pre-63 that have to be in a style from that era. Please check out the photos on the Car Show page. The VLV Weekender and VLV14 Car show attracted over 700 cars with about 20,000 attending to view the car show. If you wish to put your car in the car show, you can register it after you buy tickets for VLV.

Burlesque Competition

This has become one of the major events on the Burlesque calendar. Between October and December, hopeful contestants submit their photos and information onto the Viva Las Vegas website. Once all possible contestants have submitted, a panel of anonymous judges from the burlesque scene will choose four lucky contestants to compete at VLV then the judges will choose ten from the remaining contestants who will be featured on the website during the month of January and the public will decide on the next top four whom will join the “Judges Choices” live at the “Miss Viva Las Vegas” Burlesque Competition VLV finals. The eight competitors will then battle it out on Saturday evening to win the final VLV Burlesque Competition. Prizes include Cash, Gift Vouchers, Merchandise, Photoshoots, and publicity.

Tiki Pool Party

The Tiki Pool Party has become one of the major events at VLV, and will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is a great opportunity for girls (and guys!) to show off their vintage swimwear.

VLV Annual Swimsuit Contest

Attention all vintage fashion fanatics!!!! Shine up your vintage beach-side best and get ready for the mother of all swimsuit competitions. VSbM is sponsoring the VLV 14 pool party Vintage Swimsuit Competition, hosted by Vegas’ Pocket Pinup: Lisa Luxe. Guys and dolls alike are encouraged to enter: the only requirement is that your suit MUST BE VINTAGE, no modern/repro suits will be allowed in the competition. Contestants will be… judged on their suit alone, not by how well you can dance or how you answer silly pageant questions. . .

It’s all about the fashion!

Pin Up Art and Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:38:00 +0000

Ever wanted to be a classic 40s bombshell babe or vintage vixen? Ever wanted to enter the realm of 50s kitsch and cheesecake? With Helen McLean’s pin up packages, you get over 3 hours of dress up fun, transforming you into a pin up of yesteryear! Including hair styling, make-up, a glass of bubbly, various costumes and the all important pin up photography. Also catering for custom calendars and hen’s day packages.

Roots of Country - Rockabilly

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Sun, 02 May 2010 02:14:00 +0000

Back in 1996 a six-hour six-part documentary taking a look at one of America's quintessential music genres - country - went to air.

"America's Music: the Roots of Country" delved headlong into what is a rich subject matter, telling its story through live footage and interviews with the stars themselves.

To a new generation of music fans, it offered an eye-opening introduction to some of the great figures from country's past, such as Jimmie Rodger, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Jones and so many more who paved the way for today's big stars.

Writer Robert K. Oerman told the Chicago Sun-Times that the the idea from the beginning was to take the viewer back and forth and in and out of history. He teamed up for this series with producer Tom Neff, a filmaker known for his documentaries of visual artists including Red Grooms and Beatrice Wood.

"One reason country lends itself to this kind of treatment is that, unlike other styles of music, all its historical elements are still living, breathing styles today," Oermann said.

"People still play bluegrass, people still sing folk songs, play rockabilly, Cajun, Western swing - these are not dead things."

Each of the six hours has a theme - including Rockabilly.

"The Roots of Country" was not only made with entertaining viewers in mind, but with the hope of sending a message about the importance of maintaining a living connection to country's past.

Reverend Horton Heat

noreply@blogger.com (Rockabilly Revival) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:04:00 +0000

The Reverend Horton Heat kicked off psychobilly in the United States. The Dallas based trio formed in 1985 and built a strong cult following during the ’90s thanks to their constant touring.

While the world of psychobilly is known for its showmanship and twisted sense of humor, Reverend Horton Heat managed to update the psychobilly sound, rocking it as hard as any punk band. Most of their lyrics were a celebration of sex, drugs, booze and cars. And true to their name, their concerts often featured mock sermons in the rural revivalist preacher style.

Their music though is really a mixture of country, punk, big band, swing and rockabilly, all played loud and with a huge amount of energy. Over their 20-odd year music career they’ve achieved notable success within not just the genre, but across mainstream America with many of their songs being featured in video games and commercials.

The current members are founding member, Jim “Reverend Horton” Heath on guitar, Jimbo Wallace on the double bass and Paul Simmons on drums.

Reverend Horton Heat – the man – was born James C. Heath in Corpus Christi, TX. In his early days he played in local rock cover bands around the area. He eventually moved to Dallas and married a former band mate from Sweetbriar and together they had a child. They gave up the rock and roll life and decided to get “real jobs”. However Heath was still using the PA system from Sweetbriar to earn some extra money, doing the sound for a number of local bands. It wasn’t long though that one of the bands talked him into getting up and playing. Heath decided then and there to form his own band and came up with Reverend Horton Heat as an ode to Johnny Horton and using the shortened version of his last name, Heath.

It didn’t take long before Heath started revamping his sound and moved into rock and punk venues. By the fall of 1990 a bidding war ensued between Hollywood’s XXX Records and Seattle’s Sub Pop Records. His good friend at the time, Charlie Ray managed to secure a two record deal with an option for three more, with Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman from Sub Pop.

During those days Reverend Horton Heat managed to amass a significant underground following and ended up signing a major label deal with Interscope in 1994. With extra money thanks to extra big label bucks, Heath started ratcheting up his hell-raising lifestyle that he often sang about along with the temporary worsening of a drinking problem.

Horton Heat came back in 1996 with It’s Martini Time, an album that featured several nods to the swing and lounge revival scenes emerging at that time. That lead to the title track becoming a minor hit and the album became their first to make it into the Top 200. It was at this time that Heath also made his small-screen acting debut thanks to his on-stage preacher act, earning him a guest spot on the dramaHomicide: Life on the Street. The following year he appeared on the Drew Carey Show.

The band’s final major label album, Space Heater was released in 1998. After being dropped from Interscrope, Sub Pop released a 24-song best of compilation, Holy Roller, in 1999 featuring the band’s entire output until that point.

Heath continued to tour and recorded a number of albums for smaller labels, eventually signing his last big deal with Yep Roc in 2003.

These days Jim Heath says he’s had something of an epiphany. He’s taken his music back to what he calls some of his funnier, country-tinged crowd pleasers – “a trip back to a time before slick, over-produced country became the norm – a time when outlaws wrote songs about being without a pot to piss in-or at least about psycho exboyfriends and deadbeat girlfriends that spend your paycheck faster than you can say Lone Star.”

Heath says his latest album Laughin’ and Cryin’ is a record full of country-heavy tunes about bad habits, well meaning but clueless husbands, ever expanding beer-guts and, well, Texas.

“I really wanted to capture the feelings of recordings of the late ’50s, early ’60s,” Heath said of the songs on the new record.

Heath, who personally loves good old, mid-20th century country music, cautions that the record was not born out of a desire to introduce his audience to a new set of influences-it’s just meant to have a little fun. Besides, he warns, his next record may just be a set of “avant-garde versions of Swahili folk songs done on homemade instruments.”

“Never say never,” Heath said.

What is Rockabilly

noreply@blogger.com (Jacqui Munn) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:32:00 +0000

Rockabilly is music that came out of the south of the US, mixed with elements of rock, blues, country, hillbilly booggie and bluegrass.

It emerged in the early '50’s…waned in the '60’s …and was revived in the late '70’s and early '80’s. Its popularity has managed to endure to the present.

Some of the great rockabilly artists included Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wanda Jackson and Roy Orbison.

While Rockabilly may not have lasted all that long as a mainstream rock subcategory, its influence is still felt today. Several bands such as the Stray Cats have continued to perform in the Rockabilly tradition, while other artists have borrowed from the genre to create their own flavour.

The Rockabilly Revival

Over the past 50 years there's been a legion of bands dedicated to replicating the style and sound of classic '50s rock 'n'roll. While there have always been bands playing Rockabilly, the revival really hit its stride in the post-punk era, when a number of new bands picked up the sounds. Not only did they play the music, but they celebrated and embraced the pop culture that surrounds Rockabilly. The first revival culminated in the success of the Stray Cats in the early '80s. Following their success, a number of Rockabilly bands appeared in the underground scene during the late '80s. The Rockabilly Revival continued to thrive into the '90s with the most notable band to emerge being the Reverend Horton Heat.

Please feel free to tell us what you love about Rockabilly - the old stuff, the new stuff, the rockabilly clothes, the hair, the cars, the rockabilly lifestyle - where you shop - what you wear - who you listen to - if you know of an event coming up - a band we should catch - anything at all.

The '50s are seen as a time of innocence - and of innocence corrupted. It was a period of intense conservatism and the rise of suburbia on the one hand and rock and roll and a new rebellious spirit among the young, on the other.

For Rockabillies it’s an era that’s worth preserving - even if it was way before they were even born.

This site is dedicated to full skirts, big quiffs, red lipstick, peroxide hair, vintage cars, rock’n'roll and tattoos.

What is Rockabilly

noreply@blogger.com (Rockabilly Revival) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:07:00 +0000

The Rockabilly Revival

noreply@blogger.com (Rockabilly Revival) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:27:00 +0000

Rockabilly might have been born from the jazz, blues and blue grass of the US south, but it’s lived on through five decades in one form or another.

While the Stray Cats enjoyed large-scale fame in the 1980s, the scene has had its own life in the 2000s. Over the past decade there’s been a convergence of the rockabilly style with the swing music scene. Brat Setzer of the Stray Cats played a big part in joining the two subcultures. He formed the Brian Setzer Orchestra as both a rockabilly and swing musician. The Reverend Horton Heat, Rattled Roosters and Royal Crown Revue are also popular in both scenes.

Today there are still lively rockabilly scenes in several major US cities – especially on the west coast. There are a number of big festivals including Viva Las Vegas and Hootenanny along with the Heavy Rebel Weekend Festival on the east coast.

The subculture also thrives in Europe where there is a big focus not just in contemporary musicians reviving the rockabilly traditions, but in artists from the ‘50s.

So why has rockabilly survived in one form or another for all these years?

Meg Appelton in her article “The Rockabilly in the New Millennium” argues that the rockabilly culture is an antithesis to current trends as it embraces its roots in "old school" societal fringes.

She says the rockabilly phenomenon has survived down the generations thanks to a growing dissatisfaction with mainstream culture, music and stylistic icons.

“Rockabilly frequently becomes a way of life or lifestyle to those active, who see the larger scene to be like a family,” she explains.

“The rockabilly lifestyle is not restricted to only the music but also the home furnishings, cars, and even small things like the cigarettes smoked.”

Stray Cats Greatest Hits

The hits are all here, along with some revealing album cuts, rarities and portions of a 1982 live broadcast that display the Cats' considerable live charms. This album will have you up and dancing - full speed from start to finish. To buy it click here

Stray Cats

noreply@blogger.com (Rockabilly Revival) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:15:00 +0000

The Stray Cats formed on Long Island in 1979. Brian Setzer teamed up with two school friends, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom. Their Rockabilly brand of music didn’t attract much attention in New York so headed to London the next year. It wasn’t long before the Stray Cats had three UK Top Ten singles and two bestselling albums.

After they headed back to the States and were signed by EMI. From there they had chart topping success across the US and Europe and sold out shows everywhere.

At the height of their success though, they split. While they have reconvened a number of times, they were never as big again as in the early 80’s. More than 20 years later and the Stray Cats are about to undertake a farewell tour and will be in Australia in February 2009.

Stray Cats Greatest Hits