Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA | Formerly known as the Roadhouse Rockers, this Santa Barbara trio is super fine, energetic, and spiffy looking, sporting the most archetypical rockabilly appearance of any modern practitioners, but don't fall into the exaggerated caricature category as do so many others. This is a solid band. A small handful of vocals in the incredibly grand style of the Cadillac Angels also grace this CD. |
Picks: Angel Serenade, SO BO!, Javelin, Back Beat No. 1, Martinez, Swamp Cooler, Shakin' Around, Peter Gunn, Ferris Country, Planet Patrol, Studio Blues, Jack The Ripper, Ghost Riders
Track by Track Review
Link Surf (Instrumental)
Slow sultry Link Wray sorta instro, using long flowing notes, and that simple kinda melody line/riff that only a Linkster-like tune can make work. Super big ominous and way too cool. Tribal meanness and evil tones.
Surf (Instrumental)
This sultry slithery tribal runway booster is just too nice. It trades double picked dribbling lines for long vibrato shimmered lines, and is supported by such a tribal thunder. Bitchin'!
Jackknife Rock (Instrumental)
Heavily Rumble tilted, this is a strong, dark, and dangerous track. Derivative, but the edge and floss employed by Tony Tarzan is beyond reproach. Fine, grating, groovy jackknife rock.
Surfabilly Stomp (Instrumental)
This is a an obscuro that Tony Tarzan learned from a rare acetate. It's a blend of 2/3 rockabilly and 1/3 tribal surf. It is a natural for Micky Rae's standup bass, and those perfect Cozy Cole drums from Jerome Taylor are exactly what the track calls for. A fine energetic stompin' monster. Originally cut by the Rondels.
Surf (Instrumental)
This gorgeous melody is dedicated to the tiny town of Martinez. It's growling guitar tones are very cool when combines with the whammy shimmer, and the oh-so-surfy melody line. This is a truly fine track. Great melody, very infectious, and moderately paced. Makes you wanna move to Martinez.
Fifties (Instrumental)
Fifties instro evil sound, more melodic than most such tunes, and very solid.
Jazz Rock R&B (Instrumental)
Slowly building up from Micky Rae's great bass lines, the lead guitar gradually shimmers in, just before the drums change cadence to a runway stomp. The mysterious imagery of this track is very evident. Evil, detectives, Fedora's, and trench coats. Jazzy changes, cool roadhouse drama, and rest stop trauma.
Detective Surf (Instrumental)
The tone of Micky Rae's bass is so low and so evil under Tony's meaner-than-mean leads, that there's almost no room for any other version of this tried and true tune. Very mean track. Great shimmer, dark shadows, and hints of Dick Dale.
Country (Instrumental)
Gentle and pristine country melody, rich guitar tone, slow pace, and a sad back porch mentality. Very soothing and slightly tearful.
Space Surf (Instrumental)
Shimmering vibrato, tonality deluxe, thunder underneath, dark brooding, and super spiffy bits of tribute to "Pipeline," and an orbiting air combine for a really cool instro.
Surf (Instrumental)
Bluesy jammin, like you might expect from the Linkster or the Berzerkers after hours at Moe's Alley. Not melodic, but fun and solidly inventive.
Fifties Evil Back Alley (Instrumental)
Wha'd'ya say 'bout a fine and most reverent cover of Link Wray's most wonderful of all compositions? This has that early Link sound, the trembling vibrato, and the evil tone. Not quite a straight cover, but so true that Link would blush. Marvelous listening.
Surf (Instrumental)
Fast and furious, vibrating and cactus driven. Very fine, like Link Wray on a cattle drive with Dick Dale. Mean, infectious, and just about as good as this great Stan Jones tune gets.