The Creepers | West Texas Crude | Paulie & The Crazy Rhythm Boys

Wordz by Lori Lee | Pix by Pete

A really solid turnout had rolled up for Custom Rockabilly #12 and everyone respectfully moved to the front for the first band, Paulie & The Crazy Rhythm Boys. If you don’t know by now, Paulie Burke has made his mark throughout the years as double bass player for bands such as West Texas Crude, The Chrome Daddies and The Ten Fours. But now Paulie has swapped his bass for a guitar and microphone and has developed a rockabilly show with a distinct Euro-billy and melodic flavour. Keep an eye on these Boys as they have a cool rockabilly sound and they put in a great set this night.

It can be frustrating in my role as DJ Lori Lee, when I’m organising entertainment that I’d really like to get amongst, but I end up being too busy running the show or working the decks. Not that I’m complaining too loudly, but from time to time I’d like to have more than a 30 second conversation between song changeovers. It’s like I need a stunt double - one of me to run the show and one of me to hang out with you cats.

After running a very demanding gig last month (Johnny Cash Tribute) I was keen to take a back step at the Custom Rockabilly. One change I made was pre-recording the DJ tunes for the night. There are modern day musical tools at my finger tips if only I dare embrace them. So I went new-skool this night and built a play list at the Robot Ranch. It took an entire afternoon to source the songs, record and sequence them and sort out the eras and resulting volume levels. I’m sure you’ve noticed that a modern day Deke Dickerson track sounds way louder than a Sun Studios classic. But the time spent was well worth it, as on the night, I was able to mingle with the audience for a much needed catch up. It made such a difference being able to walk away from the sound desk, knowing that two minutes and twenty seconds later, another killer tune was lined up and ready to rock.

I also breathed a sigh of relief when I spotted Andy from West Texas Crude lugging in, knowing he had just ridden some 1000 miles home from the motorcycle grand prix at Philip Island. Judging by the smile on his face it must have been a top road trip. Come to think of it, I've never seen Andy smiling so much.

Once onstage, the Crude quickly twisted the throttle and had everyone boppin’ to a powerful set of rockabilly tunes harking back to the Sun years.

Special guests all the way from Sydney tonight were The Creepers, who had just come off the road from The Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival in Narooma. The rockabilly foursome attracted many local fans and fresh faces to what was their first show at The Troubadour. The Creepers cut a commanding figure on stage with new member Damien Lawson on a skull and crossbones double bass, Sonny on his stand up drum kit, Jordan from The Nervous Wreckers on guitar and singer Clayton’s new ‘Lemmy’ look. The boys showed they could play every bit as good as they looked with a solid set of rockabilly from their near ten year career and songs of their latest release Quiff Hanger.   

The combination of all this fine talent and great company made for another excellent Custom Rockabilly installment. It was also cool to receive many positive comments from friends and fans, so I think this was top marks all ‘round.

Check the photos below. See you at the next gig!  

Lori Lee o-[*_*]-o