Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Thunder Rocks - On A Rampage
 | Much of the output of the Thunder Rocks is here, though alternates and more unreleased material appears on the Sabre Records Story CD. Mostly primitive fifties rock, but occasional glimpses of surf to come lurk. These recordings are from 1959 through 1962. |
Picks: Rampage, Shadow, War Path, Restless, What's The Word, Johnny Sax, Bugle Rock, Speed Trip
Track by Track Review
Rampage Fifties (Instrumental)
"Rampage" blasts out in a fifties honkin' progression. It's the sort of thing the Vice Barons would cover.
Shadow Fifties (Instrumental)
"Shadow" is a stroll with no direction particular direction. What it does do is snarl with raw early rock edge.
Fifties (Instrumental)
Raw fifties grind thundering along with a raspy sax lead and nearly surf beat, not no reverb of course. Nasty!
Fifties (Instrumental)
Using that "Lion Sleeps Tonight" rhythm and progression, this fifties rocker slugs it out with the bouncer to stay on stage, while the revelers pogo undauntedly. Infectious riffaroonie chunk.
Fifties (Instrumental)
"What's The Word" is a raucous fifties jam with stops to facilitate the frat shouts.
Johnny Sax Frat Sax Rock (Instrumental)
The intro says "Johnny Bought A Sax and joined the Thunder Rocks - and then... " Stompin' fifties frat rockin' riff rock with spunk and a wailin' sax.
Fifties (Instrumental)
Inspired by a bugle call, this rockin' number lacks the charm of Johnny and the Hurricanes, but captures the raw energy and punch. Raucous rawkin' roll.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
Perhaps the most modern of the instros from the Thunder Rocks, this owes something to the Champs' "Tequila," as well as the surf to come. Great tribal drums at times, and more twang than all of their other instros.