Rock n Roll Revival
By Simone Stenfors
Mouse has been a
prominent figure on the 50's Rockin' scene since the early 80's. He's
a bit of a Jack of all trades
Singer DJ and club promoter . Four times a year Mouse puts on an event known as The Camden Rock a Billy Reunion.
The age group of this scene generally tends to be slightly older then the other scenes but it still has its fair share of
young folk fascinated by the glamour of the style of the 40's and 50's fashion, music, and tattoos.
Everywhere you look these Guys and Dolls are wearing original stylish vintage Rock n Roll fashion and sporting the
classic Elvis quiffs and Ducktails and hair styling for the girls Marilyn Monroe platinum Blonds, Jane Russell brunettes,
and Rita Hayworth Redheads. You'll also find a few famous faces in the crowd tonight I spotted 60's Beat Legend
Chris Farlow who hit the big time back in the 60's with that classic song "Out Of Time" as well him there was
Phil Polecat of the Polecats Rockabilly Guy fame.
Singer DJ and club promoter . Four times a year Mouse puts on an event known as The Camden Rock a Billy Reunion.
The age group of this scene generally tends to be slightly older then the other scenes but it still has its fair share of
young folk fascinated by the glamour of the style of the 40's and 50's fashion, music, and tattoos.
Everywhere you look these Guys and Dolls are wearing original stylish vintage Rock n Roll fashion and sporting the
classic Elvis quiffs and Ducktails and hair styling for the girls Marilyn Monroe platinum Blonds, Jane Russell brunettes,
and Rita Hayworth Redheads. You'll also find a few famous faces in the crowd tonight I spotted 60's Beat Legend
Chris Farlow who hit the big time back in the 60's with that classic song "Out Of Time" as well him there was
Phil Polecat of the Polecats Rockabilly Guy fame.
The crowd there take the
50's really seriously the majority of people have been going for years
as its more of a lifestyle
for them and these are very social events. The place got rammed packed really early on the dance foor was alive
and heaving with almost everyone bopping jiving and strolling and for the more outrageous there was a bit if savage
Rug Cutting to the Fantastic sounds spun by the three DJ's of the night Mouse ( himself) Little Carl and Tall Mark.
My one bit of Criticism and What surprised me was as a Rocker/Ex Teddy girl who hung out on the Rockin' scene
back in the late 70's, was that not all the discs here were cut in the 50's there was also some 60;s Garage slipping in
and even tracks by currant artists on the scene which would have been unheard of in my day, and sacrilegious and
as much as I love the Garage sound I personally feel there's a time and a place for everything and an authentic 50's
Rock n Roll do is not it. But having said that it still seems that Carl Perkins, Charlie Feathers and Warren Smith still
seem to be the ruling Kings.
for them and these are very social events. The place got rammed packed really early on the dance foor was alive
and heaving with almost everyone bopping jiving and strolling and for the more outrageous there was a bit if savage
Rug Cutting to the Fantastic sounds spun by the three DJ's of the night Mouse ( himself) Little Carl and Tall Mark.
My one bit of Criticism and What surprised me was as a Rocker/Ex Teddy girl who hung out on the Rockin' scene
back in the late 70's, was that not all the discs here were cut in the 50's there was also some 60;s Garage slipping in
and even tracks by currant artists on the scene which would have been unheard of in my day, and sacrilegious and
as much as I love the Garage sound I personally feel there's a time and a place for everything and an authentic 50's
Rock n Roll do is not it. But having said that it still seems that Carl Perkins, Charlie Feathers and Warren Smith still
seem to be the ruling Kings.
Now on to the live music.
First band on tonight were The Excellos so named after the famous
Record label
Excello who's most famous recording was the Wonderful "Slim Harpo" whom The Cramps
have done a cover of his "strange Love".
Excello who's most famous recording was the Wonderful "Slim Harpo" whom The Cramps
have done a cover of his "strange Love".
The Genre of The Excellos style of music has become known as Rockin'
Blues with the majority of the songs
being up-tempo. I thought the this band were excellent authentic
and extremely tight, swapping to chords and towards
Slap Bass and what looked like a home made Bass Guitar which gave a
good variation to their sound and
they they totally overcame the sound problems they were
experiencing at the beginning of their set with ease.
Headliners Loose Noose
another three piece apparently played their debut gig only the week
before in Las Vegas
at "The Viva Las Vegas weekender" vocalist Mark Harman who was in 80's Rock-a-Billy Pop stars and Restless
were big on the International circuit. This bands sound was completely different it was Rock-a-Billy with an upbeat
poppy sound that could easily cross over to commercial.
at "The Viva Las Vegas weekender" vocalist Mark Harman who was in 80's Rock-a-Billy Pop stars and Restless
were big on the International circuit. This bands sound was completely different it was Rock-a-Billy with an upbeat
poppy sound that could easily cross over to commercial.
The place was full to the
rafters and the dancing continued to the end when it hit ten o'clock
the party carried on
at Camden's Elephants Head Pub where they have a DJ playing vintage Rock n Roll till the early hours.
at Camden's Elephants Head Pub where they have a DJ playing vintage Rock n Roll till the early hours.
The next Rock-a-Billy
Reunion is being held on Sunday August 3rd doors open 2pm till 10pm.
The Excellos
www.myspace.com/the
excellos
Pics by Rod Almighty