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Boneyard Brawlers continue Psychobilly genre |
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Written by AUGUST FORTE
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Thursday, 01 September 2005 |
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Psychobilly, the horror show offspring of ’50’s rockabilly, was birthed onstage when The Cramps stared down an audience of punks at CBGBs in the late ’70s.
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The Boneyard Brawlers
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 Entertainment
Art
“The Blood Red E.P.”
(Lude Boy)
Released September 1, 2005
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The band, led by the ghoulishly glammed-up Lux Interior and pin-up from Hell Poison Ivy, drew inspiration from the Sun Records stable (Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis) while paying homage to the skull and coffin aesthetics of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Alice Cooper.
Now, nearly 30 years later, The Cramps are cited as progenitors of an international Psychobilly scene that counts The Reverend Horton Heat, The Frantic Flintstones and The Red Elvises as leading lights.
Chicago’s The Boneyard Brawlers are astute students of the history and scope of Psychobilly as evidenced on their Blood Red E.P., five high octane cuts that extol the virtues of life in the fast lane.
“Intro” sets a graveyard mood that jumpstarts the hardcore-influenced “Blood Red.” “No Reflection” is more subdued—almost bluesy—and showcases Paul Verized’s (ex-The Bomb) vocal attack. “Drinkin with the Devil” is a cherry slab of cowpunk that displays the talents of guitarist Mutilated Mike, drummer Banjo Smith and stand-up bassist Boneyard Brian. “Psycho Chop Shop,” the requisite hotrod tribute, wraps things up nicely.
The Blood Red E.P. is a fine addition to the Psychobilly canon. The Brawlers know their history but are passionate enough to make rockabilly’s bastard son sound as young and dangerous as when The Cramps scared the shit out of the New York crowd back in the day. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
