A Rockin' Good Read...Or Not? - Part 1

Not many books are available that deal with the post 50s Rockabilly and Psychobilly scenes. There doesn't seem to be much interest from publishing companies and writers/journalists. If you have a look at the music section of probably any book store anywhere in the world you will always find a handful of books on Punk and Punk bands. But Rockabilly? Forget it. The lack of interest from publishing companies and decent writers might be one reason why most of the few -billy books available are rather shit, a waste of money and reading them a waste of time. Often it seems that some fan felt the urge to write about his fave music but lacked everything, especially talent and experience in writing, or someone with a huuuge ego just wanted to see his or her name on a book to have something to jerk off to. This sounds harsh but seriously, has anyone of you ever read a GOOD book about modern Rockabilly or Psychobilly? It seems the people who would have something interesting to say, and those who know how to write and research, just can't be bothered to do so about the billies.

Some posts below I talked about a book on Psychobilly in Russia. I have no idea about its quality but I hope it's better than most of the books I have read about Neo-Rockabilly and Psychobilly so far. The German book 'Rockabillies - Rock'n'Roller - Psychobilles - Portrait einer Subkultur' (Portrait of a subculture) by social psychologist Susanne El-Nawab concentrates on the people that are in the scene and not on the music but any book where Restless is called a 'real' Psychobilly band needs to be returned to the shop where it was purchased right away and the money needs to be refunded. But I really wanted to puke all over it when I read her description on Psychobillies. That must be one of the worst and most stupid things written in the history of mankind. I can't be bothered to translate all that crap but believe me, it IS crap. So maybe somehow it's a blessing that the chapter on Psychobillies is very short anyway. Two East-German Psychos and East band Tazmanian Devils are featured with interviews. Hardly enough to paint a representative picture on what P-billy is and who are the people but never mind. She made more effort to portray the Rockabilly scene and actually found out that there are scenes within the scene. She talks about Rockabillies and 'Leatherjacket-Rockabillies', those that prefer the 'tough leatherjacket style'. Why she doesn't call them Teds I don't know. Or did I miss something the last 30 years and you can only be a Ted these days if you wear a Drape? Ah well... To sum it up, the book is bull most of the time. Sometimes imo information is missing. She mentions something but doesn't explain it, like the reason why Little Richard stopped playing Rock'n'Roll 1957. There are also discrepancies in her writing when she for example talks about Carl Perkins or plain false information is published. She writes the Johnny Burnette Rock'n'Roll Trio was formed after January 1956. It also seems that she can't make up her mind if she wants to write her book in some pseudo-intellectual lingo or use a more simple sounding every day style. The only time the book is entertaining is when some of the smarter interviewed Whateverbillies tell anecdotes from their old days. But that's by far not enough to make this book a must have.

More awesome book reviews will follow soon!