Neil Young once sang in Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) that rock and roll can never die. A sentiment I couldn’t agree with more. So it is with a huge amount of joy I’m glad to say that, one of the purest forms of rock ‘n’ roll is in rude health.
Certainly rockabilly on the streets of Glasgow is appealing to a whole new generation thanks to the efforts of young wolves, The Best Bad Influence. The band draw huge crowds on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street when they ply their trade. The Bikini Bottoms left Glasgow for pastures new. Evan left and the band have now re-surfaced from the swamplands of….. well, London…. as a three piece At the other end of the scale, 1980’s King of Rockabilly, Brian Setzer has recently released a couple of singles ahead of a new solo album.
There is something about seeing a three piece rockabilly band in action that makes all seem well with the world.
Devil’s Choice
I’m delighted to say that there are countless bands keeping the rockabilly scene alive. Take, for example Glasgow trio The Hurricanes and their debut album, Devil’s Choice
Anyone who knows me will know that one of my favourite sights and sounds in music is a well played Stand-Up/Upright Bass. There is just something about seeing the hugely elegant instrument, while often battered and bruised through energetic performances, slapped and plucked to within an inch of its life, while being wrestled by its owner. Played well, the sound produced is just divine. Add to that the distinctive sound of supremely well played rockabilly guitar, and, totally in sync with the bass, the swinging tight rockabilly drumming keeping everything in line from the back.
The Hurricanes cover all of these bases with plenty of strutting bravura to spare. Get out your seats and jump, jive and wail along to the ten slices of vibrant rockabilly. There isn’t really anything not to like about Devil’s Choice. Surely there is surely something on this album to suit all tastes.
Rockabilly Hair
Appropriately for a blog with a name like The Ginger Quiff, Rockabilly Hair opens the album with the attitude and swagger you would expect from a band with its roots in a scene that defines slick rock n roll style and demeanour. The scene is set. A storm is brewing and from there on in, the band don’t let up, treating all the greasers and hepcats to a high octane hoolie.
The Hurricanes walk the line between country rockabilly blues, traditional rockabilly, and psychobilly. The likes of Long Distance Bass takes its blueprint from Mystery Train, and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Johnny Cash, while Old Lady Luck is a pure 1950s nostalgia trip.
The band also also don their creepers and head into the midnight world of B-movie monsters and freaks with the more edgy psychobilly of Evil Dead nd the Oblong Box. These songs tick all the boxes both musically and lyrically.
With bands like The Hurricanes keeping up the traditions, rockabilly is in safe hands for some time to come.
Get the album now from the bands Bandcamp page.