Kustom
The Light at the End – Book Recommendation
Sick of sparkly vampires? Read the O.G. “splatterpunk” vampire novel, one of my favorite works of literature! Also an Oprah Book Club selection! Okay, it wasn’t, but it should’ve been, if Oprah appreciated ultraviolent vampire fiction. This favorite of mine was recently named a top pick by Barnes & Nobel’s NOOK blog, but you can [...]
Hot Sheet Additions – Koffin Kats, The Howling Wolfmen, Frantic Flintstones and The Ravonettes
1/24/12 – Koffin Kats – “Our Way and the Highway” (Sailor’s Grave) Hear an exclusive stream of the first single, For the Good Times @ Bloody Disgusting (ht: Punk News) 10/6/11 – The Howling Wolfmen – “Asylum Rock” (Razmataz) Frantic Flintstones know how to build anticipation, with their constant Facebook updates, such as: Frantic [...]
Romeo & the Frankensteins Debut New Song
Romeo & the Frankensteins are ramping up to release their new album, Viva El FrankenBilly! IT’s ALIVE!!!. Enjoy a new track that will appear on that album, My Hell, on ReverbNation. Besides being a kick-ass psychobilly band, Romeo & the Frankensteins participated in the (now over) UNICEF fundraising drive featured on the blog, proving they’re good [...]
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 [...]
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!!!
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.
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 – 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 – 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!
Female Singers in the Pacific Northwest, Pay Attention!!!
#psychobilly by Kustom
Are you a rockin’ female lead singer who either lives in the Pacific Northwest, or would be willing to move? YOU COULD BE THE NEW LEAD SINGER OF THE AWESOME PORTLAND BAND, THE TWANGSHIFTERS!
A little while ago, I strongly suggested all you cool cats and kittens out there follow my lead and shell out some clams to pick up the debut album by the pride of Portland, Oregon, THE TWANGSHIFTERS.
Since then, I’ve come to know the band a little bit, and can testify that they seem to be not only solid musicians, but also cool folks.
Sadly, their lead singer, Sara Barry has decided to leave the band to pursue other avenues in life, leaving the female lead singer position of this great band vacant.
Y’know, when I first became a fan of the THE CREEPSHOW, Jen “Hellcat” Blackwood was the ballsy, dynamic lead singer. She ended up stepping down just as the band was breaking, for the good of her family (she is married to MATADORS vocalist/guitarist Joel “Hooch” Parkins and was newly pregnant at the time). Her younger sister Sarah Blackwood became the frontwoman for THE CREEPSHOW, while Jen formed the ripping (but not nearly prolific enough) HELLCAT AND THE PROWL. Hopefully, this parting will yield similar results… a TWANGSHIFTERS that emerges stronger and tighter than ever, while Sara Barry moves on to explore whatever frontiers she so desires.
If you or someone you know is interested in fronting this great band, reach out to them in any or all of the following ways:
EMAIL: twangshifters@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Twangshifters
WEBSITE: http://www.lx0xl.com/TWANGSHIFTERS/index.shtml
PHONE: click through to their Craigslist ad
Here’s a refresher on what they sound like:
Catch a Wave of Chilean Rockabilly w/ Surfin’ Caramba!
#psychobilly by Kustom
Here’s a reason to venture back into the abandoned amusement park of the internet known as MySpace… the Chilean rockabilly band Surfin’ Caramba! is streaming their most recent album (released in June, 2011), “Navegando la Tormenta”/”Sailing the Storm” in its entirety on their MySpace page (although I will admit it took a post on their Facebook page to get me there… I guess I’ve left the amusement park, too!)
The band’s been crankin’ out rockabilly, psychobilly and surf for ten years, and have just returned from Bedlam Breakout.
They sing in Spanish, but you don’t need to be fluent to enjoy their propulsive, dynamic sound which blends Morricone “big sky” twang, urgent rock riffage and a fervent vocal delivery that brings Nick 13 to mind. Here’s a taste:
Hot List Add – Los Creepers
Los Creepers has let us know there is new music on the way.
#psychobilly by Kustom
New Music…New album…you best believe it!! Onward to Annihilation..new EP coming soon!
MPFree – Amazing Bloodshot Records Fall Sampler
Bloodshot Records is offering a free sampler. Add your email and zip code below in order to get the downloads from Bloodshot. TRACKLISTING 1. HA HA TONKA – Usual Suspects [Buy album: iTunes, Amazon MP3 or Bloodshot] 2. LYDIA LOVELESS – Can’t Change Me [iTunes, Amazon MP3 or Bloodshot] 3. DEX ROMWEBER DUO – Jungle Drums [...]
Hot Sheet Adds
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! New Additions: 10/?/ 11 – Screamin’ Sugar Skulls – “Undertaker Boogie” 10/7/11 - The Jancee Pornick Casino - “Slice [...]
New Releases
9/27 – Southern Culture on the Skids – “Zombified” LP version (Kudzu) SCOTS.com/skidmart (previous RKH post) 9/27 – Mekons – “Ancient & Modern” (Sin Records – owned by Mekons/distributed by Bloodshot) (previous RKH post) 9/27 – Wilco – “Get Well Soon Everybody” (dBpm - Jeff Tweedy’s label) 9/27 – Elvis Presley – “Young Man with the Big Beat” [...]
Cramps Artist Attacks Southern Culture on the Skids
#psychobilly by Kustom
Southern Culture on the Skids is selling a limited edition Zombi-Chic poster created by Stephen Blickenstaff, the same artist responsible for the cover (and back cover) of The Cramps’ Bad Music for Bad People album (which combined tracks from The Cramps’ earliest output, including selections from Gravest Hits, Songs the Lord Taught Us and Psychedelic Jungle).
Learn more about artist Stephen Blickenstaff as his website: www.stephenblickenstaff.com.
Buy his new poster for Southern Culture on the Skids’ Zombified album from SCOTS’ “Skidmart”.
Review: Churchwood
CHURCHWOOD comes from the dependable Saustex label, who handle a roster of bands set on bending country music into fun new shapes. I thought CHURCHWOOD’s self-titled album would continue this penchant for adding influences to country (especially since the lead singer, Joe Doerr is a veteran of late-80′s roots rockers THE LEROI BROTHERS), but CHURCHWOOD [...]
Review: The Rock Garage: Texas Live Concert Series
Harlem in the 30′s, London in the 60′s, New York in the 70′s, Los Angeles in the 80′s or Seattle in the 90′s… cadres of adventerous bands have a way of amplifying each other, compounding everyone’s creative endeavors, until a full-fledged scene is formed. Michael Crawford, a professional “shooter” – video and stills – felt [...]
Los Angelenos – Get HeadCat on the Radio!
#psychobilly by Kustom
Roaring to life from Johnny Ramone’s final recording session (for an Elvis tribute album), THE HEADCAT is a supergroup in the truest sense of the word. Every member is both an iconic figure and a distinguished player. Lemmy is the most famous of the group, as MOTORHEAD has been a hard rock stalwart since the 70′s, creating a vicious sound that inspired punk, metal and psychobilly bands the world over.
Slim Jim Phantom made it cool to play a spare drum kit standing up, taking a jazzy, minimalist approach to the STRAY CATS rhythm section at a time when percussionists were surrounded by a city block worth of various junk.
Danny B. Harvey is maybe the least conventionally famous, but he’s a superstar in rockabilly circles as a virtuoso player who’s talent has place him alongside a who’s-who’s of rockabilly and rock. Trained by the jazz guitar legend, Joe Pass, Danny B. Harvey developed a sophisticated and melodic guitar style that relied on Travis-picking, country, jazz and swing. He’s been in bands with Brian Setzer (before the STRAY CATS began) as well as a few bands with Slim Jim and a band with Lee Rocker. His first bands were in collaboration with Levi Dexter, while peer Tim Polecat joined him in a few later projects. He’s scored films and produced a “comeback” album for Wanda Jackson, the Queen of Rockabilly… before Jack White got ahold of her!
One of his most interesting projects would be of interest to pin-up fans – The Dark Angel is an instrumental tour de force inspired by Bettie Page (and served as the soundtrack to a black and white low-budget biopic… not the Gretchen Mol film). Although I’d been a fan of a few of his bands, this album was the first time “Danny B. Harvey” was cemented in my brain as an artist to follow.
If you want to know more about Danny and THE HEADCAT, and their new album, Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk, check out this recent interview he gave to Guitar International.
Sounds like a cool band, right? So, why aren’t we hearing cool bands like this on the radio? Part of the reason is that we’re not demanding it! Danny gave the following call-to-arms on his Facebook:
For HeadCat fans living in Los Angeles and the OC, 98*7 KYSR has started playing “American Beat!” We LOVE 98*7! We want all fans to listen to 98*7 FM and call the station and request “American Beat” from HeadCat 98.7 Request Lines is 1.800.782-7987 or you can TEXT Messages: 22987! Thanks!!!!!
Frankenbilly, Punkmetalcountry, Horror Punk & Brrraaaaaiiinnnsss!!!
#psychobilly by Kustom
RKH faves Romeo & the Frankensteins have two new songs on ReverbNation, in anticipation of a new album.
One Man Band maestro Scott H. Biram shows the kind of ‘tude this “punkmetalcountry bad-ass” needs to regularly do the work of four or five mortal people in this interview posted on No Depression.
Fiendforce Records is soliciting new Horror Punk tracks from bands new and old for their in-the-works compilation album, This is HorrorPunk 3. Visit them on Facebook if you are in such a band!
THIS IS HORRORPUNK 3 is in the making!!! We are taking demos now. Please send the song that you think represents you and the genre best as an mp3 to thorsten@fiendforce.de. We will be in touch if we need WAV file. We are dying to hear good new bands or new songs from old friends. Please remember that we need decent studio-quality! Stay ghoul!
Lastly, Canadian psychobilly band, THE BRAINS self-produced the following video (shot on their iPod Touch!) to debut a news song in advance of their upcoming album, Drunk Not Dead (Union Label Group):
