Psychobilly

Psychobilly is a sub-genre of rock and roll, a combination of punk rock, rockabilly and horror themes. The genre was originally developed in the early 1980s and was marked by a lively and energetic performance style, lyrics about monsters, death, and love, alongside vintage fashions incorporating 1950s inspired styles. The trend was inspired by a cultural love of vintage and obsession with bad boy rockers of the 50s and 60s. The development of the subculture started in Europe, with the roots of psychobilly in the United Kingdom. The first-ever Psychobilly band was The Meteors, which was formed in England in 1980 by guitarist and songwriter Paul Fenech. The band's first album, "In Heaven," was an instant success, and The Meteors became the first band to gain a fanatical following of Psychobilly enthusiasts. The Psychobilly sound incorporates the heavy bass guitar work of rockabilly with the fast-paced beat and rhythm of punk rock. The music often features twangy guitar riffs, tribal drums and wailing saxophone solos. Psychobilly is typically faster and harder than traditional rock and roll, with a renewed focus on retro rockabilly beats and themes. The lyrics are often macabre and horror-inspired, with a focus on serial killers, zombies, monsters, and all things supernatural. The fashion of psychobilly is notable for its vintage inspirations, drawing heavily from greaser styles of the 50s and 60s. This includes leather jackets, pompadour hairstyles, tight denim or leather pants paired with white t-shirts, and creepers or black boots. These fashion choices were seen as a way to reclaim a sense of rebellious cool that had been lost to time. Apart from The Meteors, other influential Psychobilly bands include The Cramps, The Stray Cats, Guana Batz, King Kurt, and The Reverend Horton Heat. These bands were able to attract a large following, both in Europe and North America. The genre found an audience not only among rock fans but also within the punk rock scene. Fans of the subculture embraced its themes and expressed their appreciation by getting tattoos of Psychobilly iconography, such as skulls, worn out leather jackets, and hairstyles. By the late 1980s, Psychobilly would spread beyond the UK and Europe and begin to find an audience in other parts of the world. Bands such as Nekromantix (Denmark), The Doppelgangers (Japan), and Klingonz (England) would expand the scene and foster its growth. Today, Psychobilly remains a strong subculture, with festivals regularly held across the globe, and a wide range of bands continuing to produce new and exciting music.

The Meteors - Often cited as one of the founders of the Psychobilly genre, The Meteors are a British band formed in the early 1980s. Led by frontman P. Paul Fenech, the band's raunchy and wild sound paved the way for the genre's popularity in the UK and beyond. Reverend Horton Heat - An American band formed in the late 1980s, Reverend Horton Heat melds Rockabilly, Country and Punk to create their chaotic and highly energetic sound. The band's frontman, Jim Heath, is revered for his guitar skills and energetic stage presence. The Cramps - Another pioneer of the Psychobilly genre, The Cramps formed in the mid-1970s and were known for their raunchy and provocative lyrics, as well as their unique visual style. Tiger Army - Originally from California, Tiger Army has been a driving force in the contemporary Psychobilly scene. The band's founder, Nick 13, has also gained recognition as a solo artist. Nekromantix - A Danish band formed in the late 1980s, Nekromantix is known for their blend of Punk and Rockabilly with heavy horror themes. The band's leader, Kim Nekroman, is a world-renowned double bass player. The Quakes - Based out of Buffalo, The Quakes have been a staple of the American Psychobilly scene for over two decades. The band's lead singer and guitarist, Paul Roman, has also released music as a solo artist. Mad Sin - A German band formed in the mid-1980s, Mad Sin have been known to incorporate elements of Ska and Metal into their Psychobilly sound. Their live performances are often explosive and theatrical. The Sharks - A British band formed in the early 1980s, The Sharks were one of the bands that helped establish Psychobilly as a legitimate genre. Their blend of Rockabilly with Punk and Garage influences set them apart from their contemporaries. Demented Are Go - Another British band that helped define the Psychobilly genre, Demented Are Go formed in the mid-1980s and quickly gained a reputation for their wild live shows and horror-inspired lyrics. Batmobile - Hailing from the Netherlands, Batmobile have been active since the mid-1980s and are known for their high-energy Punk-infused take on Rockabilly. The band's founder and lead singer, Jeroen Haamers, is also a respected guitarist and has released solo material.

1. "King of the Surf" by The Meteors 2. "Psychobilly Freakout" by Reverend Horton Heat 3. "Brand New Cadillac" by The Clash 4. "Rock This Town" by Stray Cats 5. "Tear it Up" by Johnny Burnette 6. "The Nekromantix" by Nekromantix 7. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by The Polecats 8. "Stray Cat Strut" by Stray Cats 9. "The Crusher" by The Cramps 10. "Perversion" by The Membranes 11. "Planet of the Apes" by The Meteors 12. "Surf Bat" by Satan's Pilgrims 13. "Six Feet Deep" by The Creepshow 14. "Zombie Walk" by The Big Bopper 15. "Hot Love" by The Cramps 16. "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps 17. "Freaks" by The Horrorpops 18. "I Won't Stand in Your Way" by Stray Cats 19. "She Said" by The Meteors 20. "Psychobilly Jekyll & Hyde" by The Meteors 21. "Bodies" by The Sex Pistols 22. "Kiss Me Deadly" by The Meteors 23. "Demons of Love" by Nekromantix 24. "Can Your Pussy Do the Dog?" by The Cramps 25. "Folsom Prison Blues" by The Reverend Horton Heat

In the book "The Rough Guide to Rock," Peter Buckley writes, "Psychobilly has carved a distinctive niche within the roots music scene by combining elements of rockabilly, punk rock, and horror imagery to create an edgy and primal sound." This description highlights the defining features of psychobilly as a genre that blends the energy and defiance of punk with the twang and swing of rockabilly, often accompanied by lyrics that glorify death and horror. In "The Psychobilly Encyclopedia," written by Shaun Wilson, the author delves deeper into the history and subculture of psychobilly. He defines psychobilly as "a musical hybrid" that was born in the early 1980s when British punk rockers started to experiment with rockabilly sounds and themes. Wilson notes that psychobilly quickly spread to other countries, especially the United States, where it developed a distinct style and spawned a loyal following. In an interview with The Guardian, Kim Nekroman of the Danish psychobilly band Nekromantix reflects on the influence of punk rock on the genre. "Punk gave rockabilly a kick in the ass, and that's what psychobilly is," he says. He also points out that psychobilly is more than just a music genre. "It's a subculture, a way of life," he explains, citing the fashion, tattoos, and social norms that are associated with psychobilly. P.J. O'Connell, lead singer of the Australian psychobilly band Fireballs, offers a more poetic interpretation of psychobilly in an interview with FreepressHouston. "It's the sound of a '57 Chevy doing donuts in a cemetery at midnight," he says. This image captures the raw and rebellious spirit of psychobilly as a genre that celebrates the darker side of life and death. In her book "The Subcultures Reader," Sarah Thornton analyzes the cultural politics of music subcultures, including psychobilly. She argues that subcultures like psychobilly provide a space for alternative identities and resist dominant cultural norms. "Subcultures challenge the hegemony of mainstream culture, often in quite subtle ways," she writes. Thornton also notes the importance of authenticity in subcultures, which is reflected in the DIY ethos of psychobilly bands and fans who create and distribute their own music, merchandise, and zines.

At its core, Psychobilly was a response to the political and social upheavals of the time. The late 1970s in the UK were marked by economic recession, rising unemployment, and political unrest. The punk movement had already emerged as a reaction to these conditions, but many young people felt that punk had become too commercialized and lost its rebellious edge. Psychobilly offered an alternative, with its dark and subversive lyrics and fast, aggressive sound. The cultural context of Psychobilly was also influenced by the larger rockabilly revival that was taking place in the late 70s. The popularity of acts like Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis had waned in the 60s, but a new generation of musicians and fans were rediscovering the music. Psychobilly drew on this nostalgia for rockabilly, but added a new twist with its punk influences and horror movie imagery. On the technological front, Psychobilly was made possible by the development of new recording techniques and equipment. Independent record labels like Nervous Records and Big Beat Records were able to produce high-quality recordings on a limited budget, which allowed bands like The Meteors and The Cramps to capture the raw energy of their live performances in the studio. The genre also benefited from the rise of independent radio stations and fanzines, which helped to spread the word and build a dedicated audience. Notable figures in the Psychobilly scene include journalist Alan Lewis, who coined the term "psychobilly" in a 1979 article for Sounds magazine. Lewis was a champion of the genre and helped to bring it to a wider audience through his writing and radio shows. Other influential figures include record producers Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds, who were both involved in the rockabilly revival and helped to shape the sound of Psychobilly. In terms of record labels, Nervous Records was one of the most important players in the early days of the genre. Founded in 1978 by Roy Williams, Nervous specialized in releasing fast-paced, high-energy rock and roll, with a particular focus on Psychobilly. The label was responsible for putting out some of the most influential albums in the genre, including The Meteors' "In Heaven" and King Kurt's "Ooh Wallah Wallah." Another key record label in the Psychobilly scene was Big Beat Records, which was founded in 1980 by Roger Armstrong. Big Beat was home to a number of important bands, including The Stingrays, The Guana Batz, and The Polecats. The label helped to establish Psychobilly as a distinct sub-genre with its own unique sound and style.