Editor's Note: You most likely know him as Bob Bleed. He's not a writer and is not pretend... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
you know what, all I want to do is drive around in my ****ty car and listen to the stray cats. Coolest blog ever, and I hate blogs.
A blast from the past. Still so true. One of the highlights of my wannabe music career was when we opened for Lee Rocker a few years ago. It was crazy. I'll never forget that night. Opening up for a guy that you have listened to for 20 years... it was incredible. I don't think we have ever played better than that night. So here I am, still playing with hot rods and rockabilly music. Life is good. Thanks Brian, Lee and Slim Jim.
Yep, the Stray Cats, Robert Gordon, Sha Na Na, and a few others gave me a taste for the music and the cars as they were. Kudos Mr. Bleed for telling it like it is...
That is an awesome little article and very true. Whether people (especially ones new in to this) want to admit it or not, most all of this started because of the Stray Cats! And i'm glad someone had the stones to admit it ! In 1982 i walked in to the local record store and saw the Album "Built for Speed" and i remember just starring at it for the longest time. My cousin James Intveld was already introducing me to the L.A. underground music scene, but no one was actually driving old rods and custom cars....at least that i knew of. Back in the early 80's anyone in to the alternative music scene seemed to want one car - a long finned Cadillac ! A year later the Stray Cats came out with "Rant and Rave" album. The cover showed the guys standing around this 50's hot rod (at the time i'll admit, i couldn't tell the difference between a Deuce or an A Bone) but i was blown away even more than ever ! That same year the Stray Cats came out with an awesome video to one of their songs ***led "I wont stand in your way". It was a doo wop inspired number that was backed by an all new black vocal group called "14 Karat Soul" . In the video it shows Setzer doing some awesome Jazz and Rockabilly licks,but what also got to me was a scene where all the Cats are driving around in the Model A. Fabulous ! From that point on i personally fell knee deep in to music,the So-Cal Rockabilly scene (very small) ,and cars ! Later in the 80's the Cats broke up but there was still a small southern California Rockabilly scene. There were night clubs like Fat Freddies in Orange, Club Lingerie in Hollywood,The Palomino in North Hollywood,and the Anti club on Melrose in L.A. My buddy Jeff Vodden (aka Flem) , Jim Bouchard, and i were the loner Rockabilly/greaser/car guys who drove everywhere to check out the music scene and meet the few guys who were in to cars as well. At that time Jeff owned a Graffiti clone 55 ,Jim Bouchard owned a bad*** black primered 46 Ford "little roof" business coupe, and i had a Yellow 55 Chevy 150 with Keystone mags and chocolate brown TucknRoll. There were some greasers from Huntington Beach who called themselves "Road Rebels" . Most of these guys drove 55-57 Chevy's but the leader, a guy who was older than all of us,and someone we all looked up to, was named Phil Zisakis - in his mid 20's he drove a black primered Model A coupe with L-78 15's in the rear,and G 78's in the front. He also drove a 34 five window with the same wheel/tire combo,and it was sort of influenced by the California Kid car (bleck with flames) . Phil later built a purple 28/29 roadster race car, joined the SCTA,and went racing at El Mirage and Bonneville. This was unheard of back then! For a young Rockabilly greaser guy to go to far away places and race his hot rod was just unreal! The name of that roadster was called "Rockabilly Boogie" , and was lettered by Ed Roth at Bonneville. There is a picture of Phil,The roadster,and Ed roth in the book called "Confessions of a Rat Fink". At that same time i also met up with Rudy Rodriquez who was a greaser cat from La Habra California. Rudy was a VW mechanic who was getting out of the "Cal Bug" scene and heavily in to the greaser/rod & custom deal. He showed up to the Palomino club one night back in 87,in a pink 60 Caddy that was about an inch off the ground. Everyone was blown away. The hidden stereo was blasting SRV or the Paladins all the time. Later Rudy found and bought the yellow 50's built 34 ( 5 window made in to 3 window) coupe that i eventually acquired and restored. This was the same car that made the cover of American Rodder back in 91. Soon after the handful of us Riverside area guys met up with the above mentioned - including Kevan "Sinus" Sledge and Anthony Casteneda and formed our own club - Shifters. We were already in to Rockabilly stuff so building white walled hot rods was a natural. A couple of years later punk rock guys like Mike Ness started greasing their hair and formed clubs like the Lonely Kings. Although - to the untrained eye this might of appeared to be the same same - we were worlds apart . Soon after this we noticed clubs in So.Cal. like The Chislers, Black Top Bombers,Sacred Hearts, and the Royal Jokers from San Francisco. I could go on and on and on but that is what i remember. I have been asked to write a book with Robert Genat ,about the early years (80's - 90's) of the greaser/music/Hot Rod/Movement and am still considering it. Side Note: That Model A on the Stray Cats album cover was owned by Brian Setzer. he eventually sold it & the American Graffiti merc. The Model A was picked up by Steve Bonge out of New York. Steve originally owned the car,sold it to Setzer,then made it 50's style for him.The Model A is now chopped and channeled ,and will hit the streets soon! Another side note: The model A i mentioned that was owned by Phil Zisakis was bought by Jeff Vodden in our club. the car was originally unchopped and unchanneled , and was loosely inspired by the "Stray Cats Coupe" . By the time Jeff car hit the streets it was chopped 4 inches and channeled 4 inches,flat black,white walls,yellow wheels,yellow engine,and a sectioned Deuce grill. All the best, Axle
Bob, I guess we're both about the same age. I embraced MTV whole heartedly growing up. And HBO. For me, there was another movie... Rock n Roll high school. Back then I didn't clearly see defining lines between some of this music and style. It just wasn't Yes, AC-DC, Kansas, Rush, etc. to me. Combined with Happy Days, Laverne & Shirly, Grease, Sha Na Na, I was sold. In sixth grade, I put vasoline in my hair to slick it back on halloween. I couldn't get that **** out for over a week!
good read...I remember the first time I saw the Stray Cats on MTV...hopped in my 54 belair and headed straight to Karma Records in Fort Wayne and picked it up on vinyl...went home and listened to it over and over...put it on c***ette and wore it out in my car too...I to remembering watching American Grafitti about a hundred times and being totally hooked...
geez...not only can BOB design unbelievable parts, fabricate, weld awesome, play music, but now we find he can write...man thats some talent. I look back and sometimes can remember being so harr***ed during those early years it almost still hurts.I grew up with a grandfather who worked at EATON and was a real big Model A and T restorer in Ohio.Mostly stockers, but sometimes he would build something like what the guys are building now, with wide whites and hopped up bangers. Kids went to camp whatever on lake IDONTCARE, I went to my grandfathers farm for the summer, rode minibikes, took **** apart, broke stuff, worked on FORDS, took care of animals.I knew that this was something special, but when I would return home all I got was **** from kids. I learned to drive in a 30 ford coupe and still wish I could get that car, but its gone, I was like 10 years old.While out driving one day, my gramps at the wheel some greasy dude, a REAL greasy dude, not some cool guy with grease in his hair, this dude worked at the local filling station and had a hotrod model A, he was the real deal, comes whippin up on us. He knew my grandpa cause they were parts buddys, threw a nod, gramps waved back, and the dude just stomped it. His A lit em up, kicked out to one side and just plain took off. I knew right then this hotrod world was for me...seeing those early MTV videos with the stray cats just re***ured me that this was not just in my family, or our small town, this was real, there were people like this all over, just had to find them.
Well, I would have to say that my other gateway band was the Blasters. They did not hit it as big as the Cats but they still rock pretty damn hard! The thing I ended up doing that was not very 80's at first was getting a flat top haircut. Yeah, my rocker look went right out the window! Man, did I get teased on that one. Then the 50's explosion happened and it was hip to be square. For a while it seemed that almost every movie that came out had some sort of 50's vibe. The Back to the Future series, The Heavenly Kid, Stand By Me and so forth. And it seemed that every movie had some sort of old car in it, mainly convertible Cadillacs. Remember that last Sky blue piece of **** convertible in 48 hrs.? Even Disneyland had some big back to the 50's deal going. I got so tired of Pink Thunderbirds! Quite a few trendy type diners opened up in San Diego, Heaven Pop in Horton Plaza Mall, The Corvette Diner in Hillcrest and a few others. And now only a couple of them remain. I used to go to Tower Records and buy european mags that covered the scene that was raging over there, why we did not have one like that is beyond me. Oh well, keep Rockin' in the Free World!
Back then I was driving a low 1964 Impala SS in a school with 3 motoheads, total. I also was the only guy in town that had a car, the rest had trucks of some sort. American Graffiti and Stray Cats saved me from that **** hole.
I'd have to agree that the movement was sparked by the Stray Cats but I think that being a hotrodder and a gearhead was initially created in me by my father. I know some of you all can relate. Being around his shop and seeing cool cars everyday while I swept the floors and handed him tools was what initially got me interested in hot rods. The traditional part was brought on for me by the Stray Cats. Doing what was done in the in the 50's whether it was music, hot rods, or clothes the Stray Cats were the ones to idolize. For the older generation, like my father, they were evolved into the street rod era because they wanted new technology in their old cars. They have already lived through the times of straight axles, drum brakes and all the hard time they might have gone through to get there hot rods on the road. I'd go on but I have to write a paper on a less interesting topic. Nice read Bob and Axle.
Wow I wrote that a while ago, but I still BELIEVE...... its cool to know that I'm not crazy. I figured when I wrote it no one would get it.... Anyway thanks for the kind words, I like writing stuff... But yeah, obviously my dad and my roadster ARE the reason I do this stuff, but the Stray Cats made it cool. heres the vids....
Wow Bob..... still got the first 3 VINYLE albums......... That was the coolest thing about the 80's///// cause it ****ED.
Well ****... I just watched all three videos and didn't see a single Betty Page clone... WTF? I remember seeing the Stray Cats live on some TV show singing "Rock This Town" and freaking out because the drummer stood up the whole time... and they had liquor bottles and stuff around them like an alley way. I liked the beat and was hooked. Later my friend bought the Rant and Rave tape and I was diggin' the car references and the artwork. I built a lot of model cars to the Stray Cats.
My mom used to dig the Stray Cats... I was like 7 or 8 I think, but I remember she'd turn up the radio for the "Stray Cat Strut" whenever it was on. And, on the greaser thing, I remember VIVIDLY when my Grandpa gave me a tube of Vitalis for my hair, man I thought I was the King! I was in 4th or 5th grade, and I was the only "greaser". Looking back, did that stuff STINK, but I was the hippest cat when I was wearing it. And had the switchblade comb too. Thanks Ryan, and Bob, for helping me remember those times. When life was fun, no worries. JK
Anyone remember the picture disc record in the shape of the Stray Cats driving the hot rod? Ed Roth did the art work? I still have mine and will dig it out .
I've hung out with Brian - he's a great guy. I've told him how much The Stray Cats meant to so many people ... he mostly likes talking about hot rods though. He's very modest. Here's his coupe with my '40 in the background.
Man, I know you all dig his cars... but he is still a musician first to me. I'm pretty deep into old garage music, and the music that helped in its evolution... pretty amazing raw/powerful stuff. And I stand by saying that "Bleed" the band, has it all... the stuff that makes young noise "real" and fun! Not many bands get this... Bleed does! I love that ****ing band! Too hard to put into words... buy that ****, turn it up!
Bob, really well done article there! I never knew you were a musician, guess I should pay more attention to the world around me......... I too, got into the Stray Cats in '81 - I was in 10th grade, didn't have my first car yet, but was already a motorhead. Did the whole all-night MTV thing, etc...... Seems to me if the Stray cats made trad. hot rodding cool, then the trad hot rods made the Stray Cats cool, since they already had one (or more). See, it always goes back to having the right car! Again, great read Bob and Axle. I'd like to read more from you two around here.................. John
That was a great read, brought back alot of memories. The record I listened to the most as a really small kid was "3 window coupe" by the Rip Chords. This was my moms and I swiped it from her. I guess that's really surfer music but is seem to me every song was about cars. I was a teenager back in the 80s and was into Metal but I always liked 50s music and has all the Stray Cats tapes (still do actually). Later in the early 90s I was an part time antique dealer and what I remember about that time is how easy it was to find the the coolest 50s stuff for free or close to it in the goodwill, yard sales or even the trash. I had this telephone stand that looked sorta like a mod school desk in black and white that I wish I had never sold. Since my frame of reference growing up was the late 70s and 80s, I pretty much hated hot rods. I thought the whole thing was a bunch ill handling neon colored cars with all the cool parts cut off them. I was into old european cars and restorations. It wasn't until relatively recently that I found the "traditional" car thing. I never really ***ociated the Stray Cats with it to be honest but I'm glad it inspired everyone else. Seems like that inspiration has taken something that had gotten really cheesy and lame and put it back 30-40 years when it really was cool and cutting edge.
I'd like to ad something here. Although he didn't live in So-Cal and wasn't really a part of the Rockabilly scene i think it is very important to acknowledge Von Franco as a part of this nostalgic Rodding culture that took place waaaaay back when. (Almost made that sound like i was talking about the 50's) . When my then little brother Marky and i would go to the REAL Rat Fink parties that used to be held in Anaheim off of State College ave. I would see this cool early 60's Beatnik looking cat pinstrippin trash cans and hangin out with the big dogs. I found out his name was "Von Franco from San Jose". later on i'd see him at Paso Robles driving a *****en T bucket Kookie Car clone , and along side of him there was a red T bucket with flames and white walls. These two drove around together and it was very cool because again, not to sound like a broken record, but ya just didn't see this type of stuff around back in the mid to late 80's. later he would be seen in a 40 Ford Sedan - purple with green flames, and canted quad headlights. I thought, "Man, this guy is one of us" Cheers Franco !
I saw the Stray Cats on their first tour of England in Blackpool. I was pretty much a punk rocker but we all listened to Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, Elvis, it was a given, the *** Pistols entire look was stolen from Teddy Boys and Bikers and the music was rock and roll stripped down and sped up. Regardless, seeing them live with the upright b*** did it for me, changed my life. Setzer came out with a chick on each arm and within two songs had the crowd riled up, spewing out, "what kind of **** town is this?" to the crowd of old teds and punks. The gig ended with some old teds fighting the Cat's tour crew. Lee rocker played in Orlando a few years back and I asked him about that gig and he remembered it well, he told me the police had arrested the miscreants and the bouncers and stage hands and put them all in the same van.
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