Rockabilly bands give Lawrence two nights to boogie

Coincidence or fate, my favorite local Rockabilly band, The Spook Lights, are playing The Replay Lounge April 1st with Mouth Breathers, then a Kansas City Rockabilly group, The Rumblejetts, playing the Jazzhaus the following night!

For anyone not entirely familiar with Rockabilly, it's a genre that is sadly under-appreciated, surviving as a subculture far and wide, but rarely found in Lawrence. The style of music began as late as the 1950s, as a mix of rock and country music, influenced by western swing, rhythm and blues, boogie woogie, and other oldies that you think of when you think of 1950s rock-n-roll bands. Modern bands like The Spook Lights and The Rumblejetts have no trouble taking the old style and making it their own, with unique spins that make both upcoming shows must-see events for Rockabilly virgins and veterans alike.

The Spook Lights play a hot blend of speed-demon psychedelic surf rock, and strong, heavy rockabilly tunes that are too catchy and energetic not to dance to. Come to their shows prepared to let yourself go wild. Try closing your eyes and you'll get lost in the hypnotizing depths of the swinging guitar riffs, bass and drum beats, key chords and the spine-tingling highs and lows of the vocals . Incorporating an eerie, horror-punk style to some of their songs, The Spook Lights are simply unlike any other band. They have posted fantastic songs to their myspace, be sure to check it out. The Spook Lights will also be playing The Replay Lounge again on May 14th!
Based on what little information can be found on the internet, Mouth Breathers must be a punk rock band from out of town. Any show at The Replay Lounge is sure to be an intimate party, since the indoor and outdoor stages are both small, and encourage the audience to dance right up, front and center. The show is on Thursday, April 1st, starts at 10 p.m. and it's just $2! It'll be a great end to April Fool's Day, you'd be a fool to miss it!

The Rumblejetts play a somewhat more traditional style of Rockabilly. The band describes their sound as rockabilly, roots music, and country. By roots music they can only mean the roots of rock-n-roll, a sound their band has a knack for basing most of their myspace songs on. But this trio's raunchy, swing-dancing jams hold a party-animal energy that would make any old 50s boogie woogie band blush. Without a doubt this show will get crazy, especially in the dark, alcohol-lubed close-quarters of the Jazzhaus. The band has a long list of shows lined up in nearby Merriam and Kansas City, but it's exciting to have a chance to see them at one of the best venues in town, with friends, for a small cover fee.
Sun Rising is playing with The Rumblejetts, but because of their easily-misleading name, or lack of fame, they are difficult to learn about on the internet. The bands start playing at 10 p.m. Friday night, for $4.

Whether you're an old-school Rockabilly addict, or new to the scene, both these shows promise to rock your world and will kick off the month of April right. Hope to see you there!