Mutant Rock

Take a look at these pretty young men on the sleeve of English music magazine Flexipop. The people who bought it to read about their favorite crap band had no idea what was waiting for them inside. They were about to see the ugly face of Rock'n'Roll. They were about to meet the original Mutant Rockers 

THE METEORS

It was 1982 and the Meteors were meaner than ever. The Berlin wall was still standing strong, so did the iron curtain. Americans and Russians were trying to outbid each other in who could develop the most destructive atomic weapons. The fear off atomic missiles was all around and the possibility of a 3rd World War always at hand. At least in the mind of the public. It was the time when Mad Max was in the movies. It was the time when the Meteors played songs about the end of civilization and released one of their best albums, 'Wreckin' Crew'.

So the Meteors line-up at that time, P. Paul Fenech, Mich White and Steve 'Ginger' Meadham plus part-time singer Russell Jones(who seemed to have a thing for dressing 'strange', so say the least) got together with some guys from Flexipop! and created this unique end-of-the-time photo-story.  As it is rather hard to get and some Meteors fans maybe haven't seen it yet I decided to provide another service to the Psychobilly loving public and post the story. Enjoy while you can:

Honey Hush

Sometimes it doesn't take much for a band to leave an everlasting impression on a scene or thinking in smaller dimensions, on the mind of a young fan. Sometimes the small output of only a handful of studio recordings can have more value then dozens of songs spread over a couple of albums. Sometimes even an outstanding band is forgotten, buried by time, and its records almost impossible to find. Honey Hush from Holland is such a band. Their total output is one 45, one Mini-LP and a few songs on a Live LP which sums up to a total of 5 studio recordings and a bunch of live songs. It would have been enough if they had only released their 'Getaway Girl/She's So Fine' 45. It is one of the best Neo-Rockabilly records of all times and it puts the 4 dutch boys right next to the Polecats, Shakin' Pyramids, Restless, Buzz and the Flyers and all the other classic bands. I must have listened to the record so many times in the 80s, I still remember the lyrics to 'Getaway Girl'. I noticed that it in the shower the other day. Besides the great music(I love the bass sound they had) the sleeve design of the 45 and the looks of the band were amazing. The picture on side one showed the band as 'typical' Rockabilly outfit, on the picture on the flip they had changed to Psychobillies, just like the Ricochets had done it before on the sleeve of their 'Made In The Shade' LP. It might not be a big thing today but in the early/mid 80s when most Psychobillies had their roots in the Rockabilly scene and were seen as traitors by Teddyboys and Rockabillies it was different thing to do. Maybe you can call it a visual kick in the teeth.

Now rare live footage from Honey Hush has been posted on You Tube. The quality is not the best but I got excited that I finally got the chance to see the band in action. If you watch it  you'll maybe understand my excitement about them. If not, listen to their recordings. If 'Getaway Girl' doesn't make you want to dance(Bop or Wreck - both is fine) you are dead already!

HONEY HUSH 

Made For Rockin'

Clint Bradley, the voice of the Blue Cats, is working on his 2nd solo album. His first, 'This Hour', was released back in 1997 already. But as that album had little in common with the music Bradley had played with Tony and the Tennessee Rebels(see the picture above, young Clint Bradley is on the far left), the Blue Cats, G-Men or Beltane Fire the song samples from his new album entiteled 'Cross A Soul With Silver' leave the impression that the record will continue where the Blue Cats left off when they recorded 'The Tunnel'. Neo-Rockabilly, or Modern Rockabilly if you want, at its best. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the songs!

Jump Cat Jump

Let There Be Rock

30 years ago, in the morning hours of Febuary 20th 1980 australian Rock-singer Bon Scott(first from the right) was pronounced dead in a London hospital, cause of death: He drunk himself to death. He suffocating on his own vomit. He was just 33 years old.

Bon Scott is THE voice of AC/DC and with him, the tattooed drinkin' hellrazor on vocals the band recorded their best songs imo. Anthems like 'T.N.T', 'Rocker', 'It's A Long Way To The Top', 'Highway To Hell', 'Dirty Deeds', 'Beatin' Around The Bush' and 'Let There Be Rock'.

In the beginning

back in nineteen fifty five

man didn't know 'bout a rock 'n' roll show

'n' all that jive

The white man had the schmaltz

the black man had the blues

No one knew what they was gonna do

but Tschaikovsky had the news, he said

Let there be light, and there was light

Let there be sound, and there was sound

Let there be drums, there was drums

Let there be guitar, there was guitar

Let there be ROCK

A Rockin' Good Read...Or Not? - Part 5

I assume that everyone who stops at this blog has at least one if not more releases by Ace Records(UK) in his/her collection. And if you really don't have Ace releases then Chiswick or Big Beat ones, yes? So you know the importance of the label(s). The book 'Ace Records' by David Stubbs, published 2007, tells the story of Ace. The early days of selling records at a flea market, the legendary Rock On shop in Camden, the founding of Chiswick Records, how that became Ace Records, what all the sub-labels are all about and there even is a chapter on licensing. All those words get spiced up with images of a lot of record sleeves, posters, adverts, promo-material and tons of pictures of bands, the people behind Ace and such. So far so good. But why is a lot of Whirlwind promo material published but the record itself("Blowing Up A Storm") isn't mentioned? I understand that the author can't write the story behind every Chiswick(or Ace or Big Beat) release and rather picks Motorhead over a Teddyboy band, but when you publish a shitload of their promo material you'd expect that the band gets mentioned in the text as well, and if only to explain readers not familiar with them who they are. Next, nothing on Skrewdriver who recorded for Chiswick. Come on, that would have been a topic worth writing about. Next, no complete discography. You write a book about a record label and can't be bothered to publish their output? Who do you think buys a book about a record label? A record nerd. Of course he wants to have a complete discography, if possible with info on how many copies were pressed, how many repressings and all those nice infos. Next, a useless and incomplete list of artists on Ace and the others labels. I really don't understand what that is good for. Next, incorrect information. An example: There is a promo picture of the Sting-Rays and the text next to it says 'The Stingrays pose with Ace consultant Alec Palao, circa 1980s'. Hello? Palao was drummer and songwriter for the Sting-Rays and probably didn't even work for Ace when the picture was taken.

This could have been an awesome book, but the result is far from being awesome. It is nice to have for some of the published promo-material like a Guana Batz poster to promote the band's 'The Cave' single, an Escalators promo-sticker and Whirlwind gig-posters, but decide for yourself if that's worth paying 20 British Pounds.

The Piccadilly Bullfrogs

Holy Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, is this real or just a dream? The Stargazers go Rockabilly? Well, not quiet but sort of. Stargazers singer Danny Brittain, guitar player Pete Davenport and bass-player Tim Purkess make up the Sun Rockabilly trio 'The Piccadilly Bullfrogs'. Yes right, Sun Rockabilly. Meaning 2 guitars, one slap-bass and no drums Rockabilly. Just like the Rockabilly cuts ole Elvis did for Sam Phillips.

I am very excited about this. I love the Stargazers and I love Rockabilly. Especially the band's early recordings for Epic are awesome. I mean, even when I was a die hard Psychobilly in the mid 80s I rated their LP 'Watch This Space' as one of my all-time favorites.

The Bullfrogs have just released their first single 'Cutthroat Joe' for download(it feels wrong to call that a single, but the times they are a changin'...) and are open to offers from record labels. So please people, give them a deal and put out a vinyl single by them.

Read more, see a video, listen to songs HERE. It's worth it.

Put On Your Gorilla Suit...

...drink some elbow soup and have a ball! That's right! The father of Horror Rock'n'Roll knows best how to have a ball! And he wasn't just wise, he had a way with words, too and created some of the maddest rhymes in mankind's history. Stuff like 'Take the fleas from the knees of a demon.' or 'Brush your teeth with a piece of a goose toenail. After death steal a breath from a drunk in jail.' Wowee, doesn't that sound just like Beat poetry gone mad or what?!  

It is out of the question that Screamin' Jay Hawkins is an icon of American popular culture. His most famous song has been covered numerous times by all kind of artists and bands. Also many established acts such as Tom Waits, CCR, Nick Cave, Marilyn Manson, Bryan Ferry and the Animals recorded their versions of the song. Jim Jarmush used it as single soundtrack song in his really annoying 1985 movie 'Stranger Than Paradise' and it even has an own Wikipedia site with much more info about it: I Put A Spell On You.

That he was capable of more then being a great singer and entertainer he proved with the few acting jobs he did. He's mad and maybe even a bit scary in 'Perdita Durango' but he is awesome in 'Mystery Train'. His other movies I still have to see. There should be a few more: 'American Hot Wax',  'Two Moon Junction', 'A Rage In Harlem' and 'Peut-Etre'.

Personally I don't like his later recordings too much. I mean yes, his voice is still great but the sound is not my thing. That's too modern and doesn't work for me most of the times, but 'Whistling Past The Graveyard' is very cool. I would have enjoyed an authentic 50s(or 80s) sound much more. 

I was lucky to see him perform 2 times. Once in the  late 80s when he made a club tour of Germany and then in the 90s when he headlined a Blues Festival. He was one hell of an entertainer. 

Screamin' Jay Hawkins died 10 years ago in Paris, France where he had lived for the last years of his life, aged 71.

Uh-Uh-Uh

Rockabilly Psychosis

 Spellbound new years eve 1990 in Berlin

Here are some news from the world of Psychobilly. Irish Rockers Spellbound will start recording their new album soon. On their MySpace site they just uploaded two demo versions of songs they are going to record. It proves what we knew all the time: Old men do it better. You don't believe me? Go HERE. The album will be released by Belgium label Drunkabilly. 

Drunkabilly has just released a limited white vinyl version(500 copies) of the last Astro Zombies album 'Convince Or Confuse'. Let's hope the new Spellbound will be available on vinyl, too. 

Drunkabilly are also the people to contact if you want to book legendary Belgium Psychobilly band the Swampy's. Yes, they are back after around 20 years. Only original member is slap-bass player and shouter Jo Psycho. They played the 3rd Rockabilly Psychosis festival in Belgium last November, after they weren't able to play the 2nd one a year earlier where the band's comeback was announced first. Word was that the band would just play this one show and that would be it but it seems they changed their mind. They play California tomorrow and are booked for the Pineda Psychobilly Meeting as well.

Not really Psychobilly but these bands have fans amongst the Psychobillies: UK Neo-Rockabilly band the Radiacs is back again, too. They released 2 studio albums and one live LP in the 90s. On slap-bass for the 2nd album was Scum Rats singer/bass-player Charly Fallensteller who set a trend with it. Germans slapping the bass for UK bands. Different to other bands that came back the Radiacs return with the original line-up. They will also perform at Pineda.

Canadian Pornobillies the Alley Dukes are coming back as well. Their break has been rather short compared to the Radiacs, it was just two and a half years. Singer Danny Duke recruited ex-Gutter Demons Flipper(bass) and Custom Pat(drums) and  Chris Robinson(lead guitar) who also plays with Joel Kaiser and the Devils Own. That band has french Psychobilly Charly Go Psycho on upright. Yes, THE Charly Go Psycho that runs the http://www.gopsycho.com/ site. They play some decent old school Country music. Nice!

Talking bout Canada. The Deadcats released their, what 8th(?) album 'Look Like Hell' last October on Flying Saucer Records, run by the band's bassplayer Mick(if I'm not mistaken). The artwork was once again done by Canada's own Merinuk. Check out the man's awesome art here IT CAME FROM CANADA

Cat Man Is Coming!

75 years ago today the cat man came into the world. Eugene Vincent Craddock was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Only 36 years later he died, being one of the greatest and wildest cats in Rock'n'Roll, Gene Vincent.

As a young Teddyboy in the early 80s Gene Vincent was my number one singer and his recordings with the Blue Caps, esp. the 1956/1957 ones and esp. 'Race With The Devil' and 'Woman Love' were my favorites. I still remember my excitement when I saw 'The Girl Can't Help It' for the first time and they showed the band. The moment when they all dropped the caps from their heads at the same time while playing 'Be Bop A Lula'...legendary!

I am sure live it must have been an experinece like no other. Just listen to the live recording of 'Blue Jean Bop' on the 'The Lost Dallas Sessions' CD and have a look at the picture below, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps live in August 1957. So much energy. He surely was telling the truth when he sang: 

'Cat man is coming, you better look out!'. 

Spin That 45 - Part 7: Black Cat

"Wow, those are some fast versions of 'Night Of The Werewolf' and 'Peter Gunn'. I didn't expect that from a Teddyboy band. Cool!", I thought until I played the B-Side. It was then that I realized that I was playing the record at wrong speed. Instead of the 45 rpm it says on the cover it plays on 33. Never mind, the songs still are cool. And of course I can play the instrumentals at the wrong speed anytime I want to and enjoy it.

Everyone knows Henry Mancini's 'Peter Gunn', one of the most popular Instrumentals in the world. But also rather boring. So the winner track on the instro side is without the slightest shadow of a doubt 'Night Of The Werewolf'. A rather obscure song, not much covered it seems. Beside this one I know only the original from 1977 by Lee Kristofferson(aka John Wagstaff) and the Meteors version of the song(on their 'Monkey's Breath' album).

The B-Side starts with the slow Stroller 'Teddyboys Beano', a creepy sounding song that seems to be based on the old children song 'Teddybears Picnic'. The opening lines from 'Teddybears Picnic' btw were also used by the Meteors on their song 'Graveyard Stomp'. Seems like every British kid grows up with that song. The side closes with the happy-go-lucky Bobby Darin number 'Queen Of The Hop'. Solid Revival sound. Overall a top notch Revival 45 with a creepy undertone, thanks to 'Night Of The Werewolf' and 'Teddyboys Beano'.

Black Cat were originally around from 1978 till 1983 and released four 7-Inches during that time. After the split of the original line-up the band continued performing, kept together by founding member and guitar player Chris Black who to this day performs under the name 'Chris Fender Black's Black Cat'. This EP with recordings probably done by the original line-up(no info of the recording dates for nerds like me on the sleeve) was released 2001 by top Revival label Hot Wax Records and you should have no problems getting a copy from your favorite Rockabilly dealer.

21.10.1949 - 04.02.2009 Lux Interior

One year ago was a very sad day. One of too many in 2009. Lux Interior, singer  of the Cramps and one of a kind lyricist passed away.

Like to so many others the band was very important to me and introduced me to many great songs I maybe wouldn't have known without them because the Born Bad compilations would not have been made. What artist do you think of when someone says 'Goo Goo Muck'? I think of the Cramps. And then maybe the name Ronnie Cook pops up in my brain. What band made me care about the music of a Russ Meyer movie? The Cramps. Even when the music of many of their own songs was taken from old 50s and 60s tunes, the lyrics Lux wrote were awesome. He sure had a way with words. Also the visual side of the Cramps was unique, especially in their video clips. No matter if 'Garbageman' or 'Ultra Twist', they made quite a few outstanding ones. I hope a collection of them all will be available one day.

I bought my first Cramps album 1984 (Songs The Lord...) and from that day on I was hooked. I tried hard to get everything else they had released and also searched the record fairs for bootlegs. And those were the times when bootlegs cost twice or three times as much as a regular LP. Being such a big fan, knowing I wasn't alone and that many bands had been influenced or inspired by the Cramps I thought it was time for a tribute. So I contacted a bunch of bands from around the world and waited three years till all songs had finally arrived(bands can be SO slow...). Some songs that had been recorded to be included on the album I sadly never got because the record company didn't do as they promised. That's why there suddenly were Cramps coversongs on Mad Sin and Klingonz releases. All songs published on the album were recorded especially for it but some bands used their recordings on their own records later like the Hellbillys, Monsters and Rattlers. I named the album 'Songs The Cramps Taught Us', following the band's debut album of course, and pressed 500 LPs and 1000 CDs, the CD having 7 bonus tracks. Both are sold out for ages but especially the LP is hard to find as 300 of the 500 copies went straight to Japan and another 50 or so went to the bands. The pictures used on the LP sleeve, front and back, were taken by me in 1986 when I saw the band live for the first time. For the CD version I only used the front sleeve picture. A close up of Lux when he was standing at the edge of the stage.

To honor the man and his music make sure to play all your favorite Cramps songs today, have some glasses of red wine on him and make a legal download of the 1993 Jungle Noise tribut album HERE.