Archive for October, 2011
Streaming – Mekons Live in Concert
Hear a 35 minute long Mekons concert via NPR. One of the longest-running bands to come out of the British punk movement’s first generation, The Mekons began making music in 1977. In the past, the group has dabbled in genres ranging from folk to reggae, but the eight Mekons members are still defined by their [...]
Last Chance!!! Donate $1 or More, Get Awesome Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Outlaw Country as a Gift, Help Kids Dying of Starvation
#rockabilly #psychobilly The Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2011 compilation, featuring 11 sizzling rockabilly, psychobilly and outlaw country tracks from eleven varied, popular artists will be available until October 31st. Then it is GONE, FOREVER!!!! WHAT IS IT? It is an eleven track “sampler” of the music that typifies Retro Kustom Honkytonk. The [...]
Fearless Radio Features the Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Comp!
Read about it, #rockabilly lovers!
Buster Fayte’s Rockabilly Romp Features the Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Comp!
Check it out #rockabilly people! If you’re anywhere near my age, you probably remember the cry of “Trick or treat for UNICEF!” that sprung up every year about this time. Well, it’s back! Electric Lotus Records, which gives Phoneix-area roots and rockabilly musicians a label that promotes their music, has announced that two of its [...]
Rockabilly-Online Features the UNICEF Charity Comp!
Dee Ann at Rockabilly-Online.com featured the Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF! Thanks for the mention, Dee Ann! Everyone should have seen it, anyway, as Rockabilly-Online is a great resource for all you cats! Check ‘em out and become regular readers like I am!
New Releases 10-18-11
Chris Isaak – Beyond the Sun EPK from VanguardVideo on Vimeo. 10/18 – Chris Isaak – “Beyond the Sun” (Vanguard) – 14 tracks 10/18 – Chris Isaak – “Beyond the Sun” Deluxe Edition (Vanguard) – 25 tracks and a booklet 10/18 – T Bone Burnett – ”T Bone Burnett Presents: The Speaking Clock Revue” (Shout! [...]
Jayhawks are Amazon Deal of the Day – $3.99
The new Jayhawks album, Mockingbird Time is on sale at Amazon for $3.99 – today only. Pop-inflected Americana – good to mellow you out after a psychobilly overdose. Here’s what some other people have said about it: Paste Magazine NPR: The Jayhawks: Just Like Old Times SoundSpike review Roughstock review
Make Room Brian Setzer, Imelda May is the Mainstream’s New Rockabilly Darlin’
#rockabilly by Retro
“I like rockabilly,” I’d say.
“What’s that?” the person I’m speaking to would say.
“Um, y’know, Stray Cats, and all that?”
“Oh. Okay…. Really?”
That’s been the conversation me and most of you have probably had over and over with friends, roommates and Great Aunts for years/decades. Brian Setzer and company were often the mainstream’s only reference point for a contemporary rockabilly scene.
Until Irish songstress, one Ms. Imelda Clabby, became an international media darling. This rockabilly chartreuse bet on herself, her husband, her music and our scene, battling her own label (Decca), who wanted to smooth out her overt rockabilly look and sound.
She’s riding high after making at least three and a half amazing full-length albums, going toe-to-to with Jeff Beck on tour and appearing on THE TONIGHT SHOW for the third time. NBC’s late night francise, despite being diminished after NBC’s Leno vs. Coco fiasco, is still the late night talk show your mom watches. She’s toured relentlessly, even spraining her ankle in a not-quite-Spinal Tap-worthy accident while jumping a fence.
All that said, it’s funny to get into the Wayback Machine and read the way this reviewer characterized internationally reknown recording superstar Imelda May, as it reflects the way most in the rockabilly world considered her up until her last album, Mayhem took off. An expanded re-issue, with bonus tracks was just released, fyi… More Mayhem.
Imelda Clabby from Ireland is the wife of one of today’s most popular Rockabilly artists, Darrel Higham. She already had some appearances on his albums over the years and now established herself as a solo recording artist…
- Black Cat Rockabilly
Darrel Higham remains a highly respected artist in his own right, with scores of albums to his credit (with How to Dance the Bop as a recent example). He is now predominantly sharing the stage with his wife – a real love story, which is always refreshing! The two of them have always come across as co-conspirators in her rise to fame. Still, it’s funny that in the rockabilly world, she was “Darrel Higham’s wife” for quite a while, whereas now, I’m sure he’s typically “Imelda May’s husband”.
Which brings me back to the point of this post… Imelda May is our ambassador to the mainstream now. She’s the name people will use to explain rockabilly to co-workers and folks at the family picnic. Thankfully, if mainstream audiences were going to anoint a Rockabilly standard-bearer, they had the good fortune or good taste to pick a genuine article!
Here’s some of Imelda May’s more recent media appearances…
So, a question… do you guys want more links about Imelda May or do you have your fill other places? I have a file full of articles and interviews, if you’re interested. Imelda May post – part 2? Or more about less-well-known artists?
Unvarnished Appeal for You to Support the RKH UNICEF Charity Drive
#rockabilly #psychobilly
As anyone who reads the blog knows, I organized a digital compilation by reaching out to bands I enjoyed. The bands, and in some cases, their producers and labels, kindly and generously agreed to participate, furnishing me with requested tracks and took the time to handle approvals. I am specifically appreciative of their help.
The idea for the comp, however, dates back over four years ago, when I did some blogging-for-hire about extreme poverty (defines as living on $1 US or less a day). That work required me to educate myself on the issues in a crash-course way, reading UN reports and books like The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs. It meant learning about the effects of globalization, the scourge of children soldiers, the price of political strife (such as in Darfur) and the impact of environmental conditions such as droughts.
Once you learn all this, you can’t “unlearn” it. It says with you. You start musing about what percentage of your overpriced coffee made it back to an Ethiopian farmer, or the money for the food you don’t need would be better used paying for some high-calorie rations for starving children.
At the same time, you’re not Bill Gates (who is really doing amazing things through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation… more of the “1%” should behave with such foresight and humanity). After a while, a certain hopelessness descends. Your awareness of suffering is vastly greater than your ability to do anything about it. Most people not in the 1% of wage-earners spend most of their time making rent. The little bit of extra cash that can be scraped up is used to try to actually enjoy the one life you have.
And that’s where rockabilly/psychobilly/hillbilly comes in. Rockabilly is a fun escape, full of outlandish personalities, imaginative lyrics, primal, rhythmic music and distinctive aesthetics. Whether it’s their hot rod, their hair or their band, people work hard at projecting a certain image. The “conversation” between all of these imaginative and artistic people is a fun diversion from whatever problems people may have. I firmly believe that’s the main “payoff” for the scene… a little escapist fun and the chance to communicate with other people who share some of your interests. I guess sports fans, gamers or Deadheads must feel the same way, but I’m none of those things, I’m a rockabilly/psychobilly/hillbilly fan.
There’s a big world with big problems beyond your ability to affect. The world keeps turning no matter what you do, so you might as well go to a car show or enjoy a band or buy that cool shirt, trying to compartmentalize the fact that through nothing but rotten luck, a child was born to die a half a world away.
In my case, I saw, through this admittedly fannish blog, I was finding bands that seemed cool and approachable. I had a computer with the capability of putting together CD-style packaging and I had page views in the 1,000′s. UNICEF has this cool “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Online” portal that handled credit card donations directly… I didn’t have to worry about the liability of touching other people’s money, and the donation would be tax-deductible (in the US, at least).
Best of all, I knew from my research a few years ago that UNICEF was one of the few genuinely effective NGOs/charities on the ground. Not perfect, but better than most. This fact is confirmed by the respected independent organization, Charity Navigator, who gave UNICEF four stars.
I thought a compilation that accurately reflected this blog… a mix of outrageous outlaw/honkytonk country, swingin’ rockabilly and slammin’ psychobilly, with a mix of male and female vocalists… would make for a pretty cool enticement to donate to this cause that is so close to my heart. Extreme poverty is not a “crisis” the way a natural disaster is… it is a pernicious problem that is hard to personalize. I don’t know the names of the 1,000 of kids who are dying today, and I can only give a fumbling guess as to their stories and the causes of their premature demise – a clusterfuck of geography, weather, local and global politics and local and global economics – but I thought maybe I could turn this admittedly frivolous blog (about a fairly frivolous, but creative, scene) to help accomplish what I so often felt too small, powerless and insignificant to do… help contribute some cash in maybe the three-digit range, rather than the two-digit range (lofty goals, I know!)
It’s a challenge to motivate pure charity without a direct emotional appeal (like disaster relief, or those ads with the sad dogs and cats), but I hope that the opportunity to do good, in combination with the inducement of getting music hand-chosen by the blogger you read will motivate some of you to support this great cause.
As always, this project is only possible through the generosity of the participating bands and, in some cases, the producers and labels associated with them.
If you’d like to donate ANY AMOUNT to UNICEF and get the compilation, CLICK HERE.
Attention Pacific Northwest Musicians! Be Part of Sara Barry’s (ex-Twangshifters) New Band
#psychobilly by Kustom
The Pirate Queen… the Rose City Rebel… The Rockabilly Queen of Portland… Sara Barry!
She’s got the image, the ambition, and most importantly, the vocal chops to soar to the top of the music biz. What she lacks, since parting ways amicably with The Twangshifters is a band!
That’s where YOU could help! She is embarking on a new project and a new direction – a blend of rockabilly and ska that she plans to take out onto the road by next summer.
Sara Barry, as part of The Twangshifters, was kind and generous enough to lend the song Black & Chrome (from their debut album) to the The Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2011 compilation album (currently available in return for a small donation directly to UNICEF).
To audition for the chance to be part of this stellar talent’s next project, check out her Craig’s List ad, which reads, in part:
The following is required to be considered for a position in this project.
- The availability to practice 1-2 times a week
- Drama free
- Ability to put on an amazing show
- Availibitlity to travel to shows and leave for tour next summer
Please email for more information…….Queenpirategq@gmail.com
Looking for the following:
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Piano
Violin
Trumpet
Location: Portland, ect.
Meet the New Voice of the Twangshifters!
#psychobilly by Kustom
Congratulations to The Twangshifters on finding a new lead singer! After an amicable parting with their previous frontwoman, one of my favorite bands has met the women who will take them to the next level of their careers. Their dark and dangerous song Black & Chrome can be found on their eponymous debut album and on The Retro Kustom Honkytonk – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2011 compilation album (currently available in return for a small donation directly to UNICEF).
Lex Allyson – New Frontwoman of The Twangshifters
Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to announce what you all have been patiently awaiting these last few weeks:
After much deliberation, we have extended an offer to Lex Allyson to front The Twangshifters, and she has accepted.
Lex hails from the San Fransisco area and has been in Portland since age 20. She also currently fronts the band “Tortune” with her father in which she writes the songs, plays guitar and also flute. Her background in music goes back to her childhood.
We’d like to thank everyone who auditioned for us, you were all wonderful and it made this decision extremely difficult. Good luck to you all, each and every one of you rock!!!
Along with this announcement we also welcome back the one and only Melanie Peabody as our PR specialist!!!
We will soon be issuing an official press release with more details. Thank you all for you love and support, and the opportunity to entertain you!!!
See you on the 20th at The New Copper Penny and many more shows to come!!!
New Releases 10-11-11
#countrymusic
10/11 – Johnny Cash – “Johnny Cash: Bootleg Vol. 3″ (Sony Legacy)
10/11 – The Infamous Stringdusters – “We’ll Do It Live” (High Country Recordings)
10/11 – Scott H. Biram – “Bad Ingredients” (Bloodshot)
10/1 – Robb Shenton & The Western All Stars – “We’re Gonna Rock” (Fury Records) (missed this one previously)
EXCLUSIVE MUSIC – Retro Kustom Honkytonk’s First Charity Compilation Album – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2011!
#psychobilly #rockabilly #countrymusic
Want to celebrate Halloween 1950′s style, by supporting the vital work of UNICEF?
GIVE A LITTLE, GET A LOT!
Make a tax-deductible donation in any amount to UNICEF through the link below and get an 11-song compliation album as a “thank you” gift.
Elvis & Us @ Beatles Story Museum, Liverpool, Now Open
#rockabilly by Retro
The ELVIS & US (with the “us” being The Beatles) exhibit at Beatles Story, Liverpool, just opened with lots of media fanfare. For those of us who aren’t getting to Merry Old England any time soon, all these articles and photos are welcome substitutes for visiting the exhibit ourselves and ogling all the rare memorabilia (the Elvis artifacts are on loan from Graceland, fyi).
Pay attention to the COMMENTS section of these articles, too, as rabid Elvis and Beatles fans parse every sentence in the articles, often correcting the article, each other, and, y’know, behave like rabid fanatics on the internet!
Delve into the pop cultural conversation between Elvis and the Beatles. What’s your opinion of the Hillbilly Cat versus the Mop Tops? Let’s start a little rabid fan discussion of our own, right here in RKH’s comment section!
Recommended Reads re: Elvis & Us:
Elvis.com: Elvis and Us Exhibit Taking Shape
Elvis.com: Photo Gallery
The Guardian: When the Beatles met Elvis, and John Lennon put his idol’s nose out of joint
Seven Streets: Come Together
BBC: When the Beatles Met Elvis Presley
Libel Music: Exhibition Opens Showing Elvis Presley’s Influence On The Beatles
Click Liverpool: The Beatles and Elvis come together in Liverpool
New Releases 10-4-11
#countrymusic by Honkytonk
#rockabilly by Retro
#psychobilly by Kustom
10/3 – Rocker Covers – “Revved Up” (Greystone Records)
RKH reported and reported again… | Buy @ Amazon
10/4 – Merle Haggard – “Working In Tennesse” (Vanguard Records)
RKH reported… | Buy @ Amazon
10/4 – Misfits – “The Devil’s Rain” (Misfits Records)
RKH reported, reported again, and opined | Buy @ Amazon
10/4 – VA – “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams” (Columbia)
RKH reported… but because find the idea of “finishing” the work of a genius seems suspect (or necrophiliac, according to Rolling Stone) despite the involvement of Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Jack White and others, we recommend a thoughtful post from the excellent blog Saving Country Music. | Buy @ Amazon (if you must) or Buy REAL Hank Williams – 20 Greatest Hits – @ Amazon
Hot Sheet Add – Hellbound Glory
Hellbound Glory, from Reno Nevada, calls its music “scumbag country”. I call it pure honkytonk, the kind of music barroom bards like Lefty Frizzell perfected. Lots of music on RKH consists of the loveable mutts of the world – weird amalgamations of country, punk, folk and indie rock. Hellbound Glory is more straight-up country, which, [...]
Hot Sheet Add – Buzz Campbell
#rockabilly by Retro – Buzz Campbell
The Buzz Campbell Band, fronted, naturally, by Buzz Campbell, the guitarist featured on Stray Cat Lee Rocker’s solo output and a founding member of Hot Rod Lincoln (a band I’ve enjoyed at Hootenannys of years past).
This album got past me earlier in the year. Read a review at blogcritics or give the album a spin (and buy it), below:
Hot Sheet Add – Meteors
#psychobilly by Kustom – P. Paul Fenech posted a new version of The Meteors’ No Surrender, a song that, in its previous version, appeared on the Meteors’ 1994 album of the same name. Fenech explains:
New raw version of no surrender (neverfuckingever mix) for new 7′ wax box set due on ply [People Like You Records - no mention of this release yet, though] soon LOFI SHORT EDIT taster
Hot Sheet Add – Dwight Yoakam
#countrymusic by Honkytonk
#rockabilly by Retro
#psychobilly by Kustom
The Hot Sheet is a mixed list of all the music Retro, Kustom & Honkytonk are curious to hear. Are we missing an upcoming release or recent release that you want to tell us about? COMMENT BELOW!
Dwight Yoakam
Dwight Yoakam announced over the summer that he was returning to Warner Nashville for his next album – scheduled for early 2012. Today, his Facebook read:
New music is coming . . .
Guess we’ll have to stay tuned to see what that means!
Hot Sheet Add – The Brains
#countrymusic by Honkytonk
#rockabilly by Retro
#psychobilly by Kustom
The Hot Sheet is a mixed list of all the music Retro, Kustom & Honkytonk are curious to hear. Are we missing an upcoming release or recent release that you want to tell us about? COMMENT BELOW!
The Brains
We now know when you can pick up the brand new release from the Canadian psychobilly band, The Brains:
10/25/11 (N. America) 11/14/11 (EU) – The Brains – “Drunk Not Dead” (Union Label Group/PLY)
Union Label Group is handling the US/Canadian release. The band advises ordering through Interpunk, as with that pre-order, you get a free patch and button, while supplies last.
People Like You records announces The Brains’ European release date and tour:
We are proud to let you know that Canada’s most evil psychobillys THE BRAINS are now part of the People Like You Records roster!
Their newest album “Drunk Not Dead” will be available November 14th all over Europe! Get it at your favorite record store, order it online or pick it up during THE BRAINS European tour next month!
Hot Sheet Add – Miss Ruby Ann & The Round Up Boys
#countrymusic by Honkytonk
#rockabilly by Retro
#psychobilly by Kustom
The Hot Sheet is a mixed list of all the music Retro, Kustom & Honkytonk are curious to hear. Are we missing an upcoming release or recent release that you want to tell us about? COMMENT BELOW!
Ruby Ann, a former member of the Boppin’ Boozers, from Portugal, is now about to release her second full-length solo album with her backing band, The Round Up Boys, on Rhythm Bomb Records. We haven’t found a release date, but will update when one is provided.
