Rockabilly Riot - Dusty Chance & the Allnighters

I think I have a new favorite anything, and it comes in the form of Dusty Chance & the Allnighters. 

They're off of Wild Records, a rockabilly label out of Hollywood. I've heard a few Wild artists before and really loved them, but only about 4 days ago did I start really diving into all their bands. If you want guaranteed amazing music across the board, that's the place to look. In fact, you can expect to see a feature on a good number of their bands! 

Official Blurb : 

"Dusty Chance & The Allnighters torment the rockin world with the Wildest demented form of Rockabilly you are ever going to hear. This act features Omar Romero (Omar & the Stringpoppers) & his sadistic guitar pickin, Jamie Lee Bradley humpin the big bull fiddle like a perverted nutcase & Angel Hernandez smackin the hell out of them skins! When Dusty gets that wild glazed over look in his eyes it raises the question is he the bastard son of the Devil or is he just a raving madman? Does he have the nuts flush or is he a card short of a full deck??? Forget everything you've heard about these animals, this is the kind of sinnin' you gotta see for yourself!! Hell, buy em a drink and bear witness to The most perverted, primitive,savage rock n' roll on the planet!!!!"

Is there anything about that that doesn't sound good?! Listen for yourself...

Old Timey Music from the Lowlifes (and graphic design!)

My husband, the ever changing musician, has recently started up a new project since we've moved back to Virginia - The High Street Lowlifes. It's a mixture of prohibition area Gypsy Jazz, swing, and just general old timey style. Plus, they dress all dapper! The other upside, is when they have rehearsal in the room next to my sewing studio. It's live music to work to!  

Getting to make their flyers (like this one below) is so much fun for me. I do a lot of other design, but I never really get to do a lot of deco or 20s styles, so I love it. I'm so into it in fact, that I'm actually doing them so in advance the shows haven't even been booked yet! 

So, if you're in the area please come on out! We'd love to see you!

Check the High Street Lowlifes out on Facebook - http://facebook.com/thehighstreetlowlifes
or ReverbNation - http://reverbnation.com/thehighstreetlowlifes

xox

Rockabilly Riot - The Slingshots

I might be a little sentimental when it comes to this band. You see, when my now husband and I first started dating after five years of friendship, this is the record he always had playing in his car wherever we'd go. I may have gotten attached... just a little. But in all fairness, it's not just my warm ooey gooey memories that make me adore the Slingshots. It's mostly because the second you hear it you're in love with the sound. You seriously can't be a lover of rockabilly and NOT want to listen to them nonstop. Taken from their official website:

Formed in Sheffield in 1984, The Slingshots launched themselves onto the burgeoning rockabilly scene with gusto and quickly became a band in demand. Often seen playing at some of the most prestigious events as well as local appearances, and always incorporating their own original material into their sets, the band impressed many with carefully crafted lyrics and arrangements -a tradition that they still maintain today. With the departure of the original bass player, Johhny Wood, the band failed to capitalise on their reputation and spent a number of years in the doldrums.

In 1999, performing as a drummer-less trio, Raucous Records released their album "Feels So Right", which contains many original compositions, including the seminal classic "Steamhammer Jones". This lineup took them through the following 10 years, but again, they remained out of the wider public eye.

From 2010, armed once more with a drummer and a new bass player, the Slingshots are, once again, back to traditional four-piece format. Armed with a slew of new songs, and revitalised energy, the Slingshots are still hard at work, playing the music they love, whenever possible, and picking up very positive comments wherever they play.

I'm also a big fan of their early 'bedroom sessions'...

Can you see why that's one of my favorite rockabilly vocalists of all time now?!

Rockabilly Wednesday - The Voronas

I really should have a phone alarm set for remembering to do weekly features. Especially because I have more planned. Am I the only one who gets too busy and forgets they have a designated blog topic? :D

This week's featured band (and for me, it's gonna be probably the whole month) is The Voronas. I literally just found out about this band earlier while trolling Youtube for cool retro spooky songs. I had been stuck in a Crypt-Kickers loop for some time when I looked at the little recommended videos section on the side. That's when I saw this band. I originally thought it was an old tune based on the sound and voice and that's what drew me in. Don't get me wrong, I love psychobilly I really do.. but doesn't the constant cheesy lyrics about bats and coffins set to generic clicky slap bass really get old to you? 

That is exactly why I fell in love with The Voronas. The lyrics are still (sometimes) dark and spooky without the over the top cheese factor, and the completely original sounding vocals and the mix of all different styles of music make this a band to remember. Think The Cramps meets gypsy jazz fused with blues and a dash of rockabilly. Intrigued yet? Listen for yourself! 

You an also check out all their songs on Myspace here : http://www.myspace.com/thevoronas - My favorite is Viceland :D Wonder why... 

Rockabilly Wednesday - Sparkle Moore

I usually try to pick current bands or artists for my weekly spotlight, mostly because I love giving an artist any chance to be heard by new people. Must have picked up that "support the musician" mindset from being married to one! But, Everytime I talk to someone about female rockabilly singers only a few seem to know about Sparkle, and that is why I think I'm going to branch out just a bit and relive some oldies than you might not have heard of.

Sparkle Moore is one of my favorite, if not number one, female rockabilly artist of all time. There is something so tough and rebellious about her voice while at the same time being adorable and feminine. This woman can sing I tell ya! She only recorded a few songs in her career but opened doors for female 'billy right alongside Wanda Jackson and Janis Martin. 

Did I mention she has style?! 

Rockabillies

I had to share this awesome mini-documentary with y'all. The band featured is Wayne Hancock, which of course my amazingly talented fiancée plays bass for. (Wha?! I'm proud!)

It's pretty great to see how into it the folks being interviewed are. There's no pretentiousness about them, and I love that. It's a lifestyle, and it's lived and breathed.

Not to mention.. aren't they adorable?! Their house is fabulous.

Rockabilly Riot (#8) - Hamburger James

Hamburger James - Born in Memphis, raised in Virginia. It's a band heavily influenced by the Sun Records era mixed with southern style and just a touch of that 80s rockabilly revival. I have a soft spot for this band because they're hometown boys from Richmond. Finding any kind of rockabilly in this city is hard enough, so to find an actually good band is pretty amazing and deserving of a feature. Go to their website to have a listen, and enjoy the adorable jukebox style music player!

Rockabilly Riot (#7) - 7 Shot Screamers

7 Shot Screamers - '77 punk rock mixed just right with '50s vintage rocknroll. I'm completely surprised I haven't done this one yet. This band is easily my favorite of any modern rockabilly act, mostly for the fact that it's different and new. I don't know about you, but I personally get tired of flaming dice and boppin' with my baby. (Don't get me wrong, you know I love that too. But spice it up!)

7 Shot Screamers are another Heavy Rebel Weekender staple and in fact, the first thing I do when each years lineup comes out is hope they'll be on it. I can vouch that they put on one of the greatest live shows... Take the video for example. This was from HRW07, and I'm proud to say I was in on this insanity!



To actually hear the music, check them out on last.fm - I personally recommend the first album, I was a Teenage 7 Shot Screamer. While you're there, feel free to see what else I'm listening to and be my friend! missemily57 on last.fm

Rockabilly Riot (#6) - The Bo Stevens

The Bo-Stevens : Keep it Country. It's exactly that. A band much more on the honky tonk side of rockabilly. Think Hank Williams style country, not the pop radio mess. Songs to dance to and songs to drink whiskey and cry to are what you'll get from these fellas. As with a lot of the bands I'll feature here, I found them at Heavy Rebel Weekender and have had the pleasure of seeing them many times in my years attending Loserville events. It never gets old, lemme tell you. In fact, the reason I decided to pick them for this week was because I'll be seeing them again this Saturday.

Rockabilly Riot (#5) - Phil Hummer

This week, it's the dirty, southern, whiskey soaked music of Phil Hummer and The White Falcons. If you like David Allen Coe or Hank III, you'll probably love this.

There isn't a whole lot of explaining or backstory for this. You just listen. When I was in Nashville in a few weeks ago, I ran into the band at a bar and I do believe the only words I slurred out were "Hey. Your music is my shit." That about sums it up, I'd say!

Rockabilly Riot (#4) - Mad Tea Party

I have so much trouble remembering to do this on a certain day. So I'm not gonna! Just a once a week post about a band I like.

This week.. Mad Tea Party! Hello, ukulele? Amazing. My personal favorite song is Zombie Boogie, which you can hear on their Myspace page. These folks have a great live show too, I tell ya!



"Mad Tea Party brews up rock 'n' roll, garage-pop and honky tonk to create a fresh and intoxicating sound. "It's B-52s meets Buddy Holly with a lot more thump." Musical conspirators Ami Worthen and Jason Krekel serve up an exciting live show to music lovers thirsty for upbeat, original refreshment. Delicious harmonies glide over electrified ukulele, juke-joint guitar, scratchy fiddle and pulsing foot percussion. Catchy songs are steeped in raw rockabilly with shreds of doo wop and devilish blues. Drink deep - Mad Tea Party concocts a musical recipe that will make you boogie."

And an added bonus to a good band, a fabulously stylish front woman! Here is a photo Ami of Mad Tea Party sent me of her in a Dismantled Fashions' red polka dot Catie May Dress:

Rockabilly Riot (#3) - Wreckhouse Radio

Annnyway! Back to business. For anyone new reading or if you just forgot, every Wednesday I share a band that I'm really into lately that you might like too. Not always 'billy, not always unheard of music, but always badass.

This week I decided to do it a little different this time. Instead of just one band, I'm going to feature my favorite podcast. WRECKHOUSE RADIO! It's part of the Subculture Collective. There's all kinds of stuff on that site for the rockabilly/psychobilly culture. It's run by Bibb, who hung out with me at my booth this past Heavy Rebel while I was lonely and bored. Thanks man! I decided to feature this one today, because it also comes out every Wednesday. I usually listen to it while I work, and I had it on while I was deciding on a band. This week was particulary good, so I thought why not?


So mosey on over to SubcultureCollective.com and take a listen to this weeks episode of Wreckhouse Radio. And if you like it, tell em Emily sent ya!


xoxo

Rockabilly Riot (#2) - The Arkhams

This week, it's the Arkhams!

"The sound is as schizophrenic as the content: a psychotic episode across sub-genre boundaries which at any twitch can switch from psycho-garage to Mersey-beat/R&B and New York City Punk Rock"

I've seen the Arkhams once before, and a couple of the members are formerly of The Black Market Band (a favorite of mine) Not only is the music upbeat and fun with a great live show, they're great guys! I'll be seeing them again in October when they come to town. Do yourself a favor and get the CD, I listen to mine all the time!

The Arkhams- "Surf & Stillwell" & "Insane" live 12/5/08

Rockabilly Riot (#1) - The Beat Devils

Idea! I'm constantly discovering new bands, and I decided every week I'll post one I'm really diggin' lately. Everyone can always use new music! This week, it's..

The Beat Devils from Russia. Described on their Myspace as 'punkabilly', and I'm gonna have to agree on that one. It's just good get-you-on-your-feet music, and I'm loving it. Though I must say, it always bums me out to hear of an amazing band and then discover they're across the world so I'll never get to see them play. That certainly won't stop me from making their CD my next purchase. That is if I can figure out the all Russian text on the website...

Current music obsessions

Here's what's been blarin' out of my speakers recently..

The Alley Dukes - Canadian dirty rockabilly. And I do mean dirty. Listen to those lyrics. My favorite song? 'She Gave Me An Itch' I heard they've broken up, but dosen't mean you shouldn't still check them out!




The Straight 8s - A Loserville band. I've seen them a couple times. Talk about amazing energy. I always have a total blast seeing them. I'm pretty sad they won't be at HRW this year though :(

Too busy for life.

I've recently been locking myself in my sewing room all day, every day. I'm gearing up and making inventory for Heavy Rebel Weekender. I've gotten a good bit done, but I still have quite a to do list before I can breathe again. So anyway, that is why I'm MIA on anything interesting or fun. It's worth it! Hopefully I'll find time for a break soon and have some fun stories to share.

Until then, let me entertain you with my favorite video on the internet. I wish I knew if they were actually planning on turning this into a movie or if its just a fun little video for the hell of it. Anyone?

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

I'm absolutely loving this band lately. It's Americana roots meets indie meets bluegrass meets swing. Not to mention, totally cute video.

Holy Ghost Tent Revival-

Heavy Rebellll!

It's almost time for my favorite event. It's the one I look forward to all year, and get totally depressed when it's over. Yes, it is that amazing. This will be my... 4th year?

This year, yours truly will be among the vendors. EXCITED. I went to the Heavy Rebel website today to check out the vendor list and got all giddy to see my name and website listed. What can I say, I'm easily impressed. While I was there, I saw they put up the initial band list, with more to come.

Ones I'm dying to see:
The Defilers
Lords of the Highway
Bo-Stevens
Sasquatch and the Sickabillies
Holy Ghost Tent Revival
The Koffin Kats
Memphis Morticians

.. and of course all the new bands I don't even know I love yet. I've discovered some of the best music from going to this weekender. If you haven't been, you just don't know! If you're from the east coast, make the trip. Trust me, it's worth it. And don't forget to come to my booth and have a drink with me and the girls!

"If this aint rockabilly, you can suck my balls."

Yeah, that's me having my tits signed by Unknown Hinson. I know I know, everyone does it. But I was personally pretty excited, and pretty proud of this picture. I thought I'd share. Stef and I went to see him play at the Canal Club in Richmond this past Saturday. Needless to say, it was a pretty great show and I think everyone needs to go at least once. Cause womerns likes that.

Other things I'm really into these days include the Defilers, the Alley Dukes, and David Allan Coe (preferably the x-rated album). Just so happens the Alley Dukes cover a favorite David Allan Coe song of mine.. you can listen to it somewhere on this page. Also, Coe is coming to town in a week or so. Hopefully I'll be there. My plan for this spring/summer is to go to every show or event I can. I'm tired of missing out!