Interview with the Four Aces

Talking with Laurent Cuchi from the Four Aces

How did the band get started?
Summer 2001 : taking advantage of a gig in a Parisian bar, Laurent (singer), Nico (drums) and Malo (double bass) were hitting some booze and started to talk about forming a band. First, they called themselves "The Rockets" and were mostly "white rock" styled. When the first guitarist left, Laurent, who was also playing with the "Rock - A -Tones" for a couple of years, asked his guitarist Jean Charles to join them and that was the real start of "The Four Aces", a serious combo who doesn't takes itself seriously ! They changed their repertoire and choose to turn more Rockabilly. Most of the songs were covers however, they would play them their own way. Their first live gigs happened during parties at friends' and the first official show took place in St Malo (France) on July 2002. After many gigs in different places during the year of 2003, the band decided to stop, Laurent continue to play with the Rock-A-Tones and Nico joined The Atomics. In the early 2005 Nico, Malo and Laurent decided to play again together and asked Marco (Rhythm All Stars) to play with them, his answer was "yes". The Four Aces are back. After 1 year of rehearsal the band now plays a mix of cover and own songs and was ready to hit the road again. But after a few years, the band had to stop again, when Nico left for new adventures with Easy Lazy "C" and his Silver Sleepers, untill june 2010, when Carlos, also member of King Baker's Combo, join them on drums. In 2016 we have a new bass player, Thierry (from the Ol' Bry).

How would you describe your music?

I try to play 50s Rockabilly

How long you been a musician for?

I sing since 1997, I started because I love Rockabilly since more than 30 years. And when I saw Bands on stage, I told myself, I too would like to do this.

What got you into rockabilly?

A friend of mine in school made me listen Gene Vincent, After that after that everything changed.

How do you see todays rock & roll scene?

The rockin scene today is a mix of young cats (who love 50s Rockabilly and modern bands) and old ones with differentes tast, but now the rockin' scene are really in the move, with many peoples listening not only 50s Rockabilly but also 60s Garage.

You got any mad stories from being on the road?

I remember once or we flew to Portugal. We all carried a t-shirt from our band, a stewart asked us who we were, after that he went to the front of the plane, he picked up the microphone and announced that there was in the ' Plane a famous group and asked people to applaud. It was amazing to see all the passengers applauding us when no one knew us

How do you see the bands image?

I don't know exactly, for my band, we are well know here in France and of course I love that. For the other bands, they have a good image too, because you can't love music without live music.

What are the bands plans for 2017?

We working for our third album, and we would like to play in new place like England, big festival like the Rockabilly Rave, Sweden, Finland.... (we played in Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and all over France off course).

Interview - Trash Wax

Talking with Charlie Spliff one of the founders of the notorious record label Trash Wax
http://www.trashwax.com/

Tell Me about the labels history?
Ok, in 2010 during a period of unemployment & intense boredom I started a youtube channel which i called 'Trasharama' & started uploading music from my late teens that seemed to have been ignored or overlooked. It was a mixture of 80's rockabilly,psychobilly,garage punk & beat music. 

A wavy gravy monster mash mix of Garage, Trash, Rock'n'Roll, Punk, Rockabilly, 80's Psychobilly, Surf, Mod, Psychedelia, Freakbeat, Blues, Country, Folk & Ou... the channel grew over the years, (at one point I had over 5000 videos up) & bearing in mind the trashy nature of the music, 8-9 million video views was quite impressive i thought. In late 2014 I was contacted by my now label partner Darren, who was also impressed by the amount of interest there still was for the niche music we listened to in our teens & 20's & we started hatching a plan for a record label.

One band we had both really loved were 'The Vibes', & Darren had got hold of a raw, but banging live recording from their 1985 tour of europe. The Vibes looked like rockabillies with their quiffs & double, bass but they played 60's garage punk covers & they along with bands like The Sting-Rays, Milkshakes, Prisoners, Cannibals, X-Men, Tall Boys had been part of the Trash scene promoted by Cannibals frontman Mike Spenser.

These Trash bands fused elements of rock'n'roll, rockabilly, garage punk, beat music & psychedelia into their music & although all sounding different to each other, shared an ethos, attitude & ability to have cross appeal for their music, much like The Cramps. In fact the Cramps are the ultimate Trash band, their music was a mish mash of genres & they were loved by punks, goths, psychobillies & garage fans.

Both myself & Darren had got into the neo rockabilly/psychobilly scene where we encountered these Trash bands who sometimes shared the same billing at gigs. I would sometimes spend my weekends in Hammersmith, downstairs at the clarendon on friday nights for the trash nights & upstairs on saturdays at the legendary klubfoot. In the end, the only reason I went to the klubfoot was if one of the trash or garage bands was on the bill. In fact bands like the sting-rays, x-men, tall boys etc were Marmite to the klubfoot crowd, people either loved or hated them, it all became rather purist in the end which is why i stopped going.

The vibes, sting-rays etc were the bands that got me into garage music, they were the first wave in the UK after punk, there was no garage scene until the 80's & it was completely different to the purist stuff from the USA, this is why these bands are special, they were innovators, ground breakers & there has been nothing like them since. Anyways 2015 Trash Wax is born with a focus of paying homage to the original UK trash & garage bands of the 1980's, plus whatever demented shit from around the world Darren or I like now & believe share the trash ethos.

So on 31/5/2015..... exactly 30 years to the date of the recording, The Vibes - Voodoo Juju (Live in Enger) is released - 200 copies green wax & 300 black.

The vinyl sells well & a small cd run of 250 copies follows in July. In August we release our 1st 7" by 'Vince Ripper & The Rodent Show' (who feature ex 'Turnpike Cruisers/Alien Sex Fiend' guitarist Ratty), a cover of 'I Was A Teenage Werewolf' by The Cramps. By the end of 2015, a further 3 Lp's are released, 'In Go-Go We Trust' by cult Scottish garage band 'Mondo A Go-Go', and two lp's previously only available on cd The Go Go Cults' 'Into The Valley Of' & The Guitaraculas' 'Two Bottles Of Blood'. The Guitaraculas is the side project of Messer Chups main man Oleg Gitarkin. The rest is history https://www.discogs.com/label/845875-Trash-Wax

Whats on the cards for the new year?
2016 was a busy year, 2017 looks even busier including a new 'garbage grails' series of singles

Interview with The Accidents

Talking with lead singer & stand up bass man John Blackwell

Whats the history of the band?
The band is an evil offspring of a working rock & roll band. Being all family we have always been musically together and enjoying the music, especially the rockabilly side.  

How would you describe the bands music?
It is difficult to describe our music.....I think Charlie (brother & guitar player) thinks of us as if  'Rockabilly/thrashbilly & blues had a massive orgy...and the twisted outcome would be us'...I on the other hand would describe ourselves as a high energy fast paced rockabilly band with a touch of blues.

When did you start playing music?
I've been playing guitar since I was five then took up bass and double bass when I was ten. After that I learnt a bit of drums, piano and saxophone to grade 8 level, but bass is really my love. I went to see The Buddy Holly Show when I was really young and have been hooked ever since. My dad has always been working in bands, duos ets.. so have really been brought up with music, we all have. I've been gigging since I was ten.

Which artist first clicked with you?
I have always loved Buddy Holly for as long as I can remember and really got brought up with his music, then I discovered rockabilly...and WOW!

How do you see the bands image?
Erm bands image....I would like to say two sex gods and Keri on drums...BUT...we are probably more of a noise complaint on the scene...Nah, in all seriousness we are brothers and sister having the time of our lives and playing the music that we love.

Now that we've survived 2016 what do you see for the band this year?
For 2017 ALCOHOL is the way forward! We have got some great gigs and festivals lined up and we are working very close with a label on a 50/50 covers and originals album...watch this space...hopefully (lol)

The Runawayz - Interview with Joe Newbon

How did the band come together?
Joe met Curt through playing with previous bands on the rock & roll scene then we finally found a young bass player who was with us for a year, but now we have Sam French on bass who I've known for a long time. 

How would you describe your music?
We started out really authentic, clean sounding rock & roll but then we realized we sounded like nearly every other 'standard' r&r band out there and it wasn't something we wanted to aim for so we developed a more driving and energetic sound which has appealed to the rockabilly/biker and young indie crowd.

How long have you been playing guitar?
I personally have been playing guitar since I was 10 years old, I've had a few lessons that taught me the basics, but from there I have been self taught!

Who got you into Rock & Roll?
My dad and his side of the family are huge R&R and Rockabilly fans. I got into it through them. I grew up hearing them play the 50's records and I got hooked from a very early age.

How do you see today's Rock & Roll scene?
I have always loved this scene since I first joined when I was 13 years old, but during the last 6-12 months there seems to have been a massive influx of young people of our age onto the scene and its great for us all. We have all become one massive friendship group and we all go to Weekenders and other gigs together. There are more young rockabilly bands forming within the group of us kids and with this happening our scene can only get stronger and last for yet another generation!

What are the bands plans for 2017?
We plan to get our first album out of original material. We are currently in discussions with a record label so the sooner we can get sorted the better. We had some crazy times in Finland at our first European gig, also very early in the bands career we got to play the O2 in London so they are just a few of the many crazy and surreal experiences we've had so far.

What are you all time favorite Rock & Roll artists?
Artists like Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent, Charlie Feathers, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stray Cats, Whirlwind, The Jets etc...

Interview with guitarist Jett 'Damien' Dean

Speaking with guitar hero Jett 'Damien' Dean ahead of his show at the authentic Rayner Rock & Roll Club

How did you form then and all get together?

Our singer Bopper started things going, he's a true rock & roll warrior. We met on Facebook and then I had an audition in a pub while karaoke was going on, I just played along to some of the songs. But while this was going on some drunk was eating crisps out of his underwear and rubbing them all over himself, then a Marianne Faithfull lookalike came over and started drooling over my shoes. After that it wasn't long before I met Zak who was involved in a Heinz Ketchup conspiracy.

How would you describe your music? 

Bonkers rock & roll. We just really go for that raw primal sound. The crowds want something that will shake them up and we're relentless, we love anything cult or wild.

That's what appeals to me, the mixture of your music.

See I need rock & roll to have that mutant side to it, people like Screaming Lord Sutch did it with 'Jack The Ripper' or The Phantom's 'Love Me' nailed it. It's gotta be frantic, there's never been any other music's that's even come close to the guts of rockabilly or psychobilly. The greatest stars are a pure mixture of God and the Antichrist, it's an exciting combination.  

I also read that you're into the occult?

Yes, I was brought up near Salem and people are very superstitious around there. We used to hang out in graveyards and on plantations at night and I'd play guitar, crow's would gather around as we wailed. To this day I still put graveyard soil in my guitar case, just feels natural.

How long have you been playing guitar?

I started when I was twelve and took lessons for a bit. Learnt my minor chords, but then my guitar tutor disappeared and a week later the police reported him as missing, but I kept learning by ear from records. Bands like Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Charlie Feathers, Bo Diddley, Hasil Adkins, Link Wray, The Damned.

Your influences are mixed with punk?

Absolutely it's all part of the same DNA, I see punk as an update on rockabilly. I love witchy girls and cult B movies like Plan 9 From Outer Space or Hammer Horror one's like Plague Of The Zombies. The audiences who come and see us deserve a show. On any given night I can be either a mixture of Mocata, Frankenstein or Dracula, I can tap into their energy. The band is a true gang and we want to thrill and mesmerize wherever we play.

What are your future plans?
On the day that Honey Don't fired me later that night I heard that Chuck Berry died....................You can work that sign out.

The Del Sharron's Interview

Talking today with Sharon Thurston, lead singer & guitarist of the Del Sharron's. They are a five piece band based in Leicestershire.  

The band first formed in 2009 when we were just three close friends with a passion for 50's music and we started out as a trio. We cover many songs from the fifties, mainly Doo Wop, Rock & Roll and Rockabilly but have also started to write our own songs In a fifties style. 

I have been playing guitar since I was thirteen years old, I first had a love for this music from a very very young age and remember listening to Buddy Holly and Elvis a lot as a child but it was my parents love for the music that got me into it. 

Today's rock & roll scene is still going strong if you know where to look, with many bands on the circuit who are keeping rock & roll alive.
In 2017 we aim to play lots of gigs and to try and conquer the rock & roll scene by 2018 whilst trying to write our own songs.

They're next gig is on 4th February at Ibstock rock n roll club Leicestershire https://www.thedelsharrons.co.uk/

Susanne Taggart - Radio Presenter, Interview

http://jivetimeradio.co.uk/

How did you get started?

By Accident, although I have always loved the music. I was trying to get someone else to do a show for a station I was doing something else with. And the station owner said ''Why dont you do it?'' So I thought I should give it a try and it went from there. Now I also have my own internet station 'Jive Time Radio' with shows hosted by various presenters from both sides of the Atlantic, so you're bound to find something you like.

How would you describe the music you play?

I play tracks from the first days of Rock & Roll and Rockabilly through to the revival of the 70's and 80's, both traditional and obscure. I also showcase the acts on the circuit today, in my 'On The Road' section.


What got you into Rock & Roll?

I wasnt lucky enough to experience the culture and music back in the 50's, as I wasnt born till 1964, but I was around during it's revival in the late 70's - early 80's. I have always had a passion for Rock & Roll music. The proper stuff, not what they call Rock & Roll today, like Oasis, oh how that annoys me! But it seems to distinguish the two, we now call it 'Rockabilly' music today. I remember being involved with the Medway Teds back during the revival period, visiting many music venues in the 90's while living in Peterborough. I was lucky enough to run the Peterborough Rock & Roll with my husband Steve and two friends. 

What do you think os the UK's current Rock & Roll scene?

Unfortunately I dont get to see enough of it, but what I do see and hear about it seems to be doing pretty well. Although the clubs I attend in Manchester dont feel the Rockabilly music they prefer Jive bands, but some of them throw in the one or two odd rockabilly number and it still fills the dance floor. So in my opinion the clubs should entertain this gene more and maybe they will be surprised.

What have you got planned for 2017?

Not a lot at the moment but I would like to try and attend some of these Weekenders, but until then, it will just be the local clubs and any I may frequent on my travels, as I like to see the bands and help promote them by playing their music on my show.