DEKE DICKERSON & THE ECCO FONICS (USA)

Over the years, during Deke’s show – we’ve been treated to Bobby Trimble breakdancing, Deke moonwalking, Crazy Joe on Deke’s shoulders and Sugarballs being held upside down whilst playing lead guitar (thankfully with his trousers on) – it’s been possible to overlook the fact that these guys are some of the most amazing musicians and vocalists on the planet. Extreme talent and extreme buffoonery in one neat package. Watch in awe as they each play every instrument and then go home and smash your own guitar to bits, as even Sugarballs (a drummer) can outplay you. Easily.

PIKE CAVALERO & THE GENTLE BANDOLEROS (SPAIN)

The Rave continues to bring you rockabilly’s hottest new discoveries. The Bandoleros are about as gentle as a freight train on full throttle, while the debonair Señor Cavalero’s vocal delivery is full of trickery and timing and an explosive yelling scream that will turn your head inside out and make your brain itch. This is a new rockin experience – and it’s not often you hear that said about a band on our scene!

MISS MARY ANN & THE RAGTIME WRANGLERS (HOLLAND)

Whilst opening for Brian Setzer at his shows in Holland, Brian was heard to remark, ‘Hey – nice ride!’ One can only hope he was talking about Mary Ann’s beautiful ‘58 Suburban Tour Bus which was parked outside! Expect some special International guests, some old style harmonizing, interesting and unusual Ragtime Wranglers instrumentals and of course some of her bestselling classics... enjoy the ride... by which I mean the show of course – for goodness sake you lot have minds like sewers...!

CARL SONNY LEYLAND (USA)

Years ago we shipped Carl off to live in the US... and then realised what a tremendous loss he was to our scene in the UK. After many years of asking (and occasionally begging – I’m not proud) we have finally managed to get the charismatic key cruncher to return for an exclusive Rave appearance. Here is a man with more talent in his fingers then should be physically possible... and I ask him to thump the keys with his foot Jerry Lee style. Painful isn’t it? It’s like asking Michelangelo to put down his brush and do some potato painting...

THE RHYTHM SHAKERS (USA)

Marlene is back for another sensational show, to break your heart, and possibly your jaw if you get too close. Bands can be as wild as they like – but if they’re not good musically they’ll never play the Rave. The Rhythm Shakers from Wild Records are both. They’re also ready for a massive Rave – are you?

LUCKY TUBB & THE MODERN DAY TROUBADOURS (USA)

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that being related to Ernest Tubb gives Lucky Tubb an easy ride. In fact it’s probably just the opposite – with a legend in the family to live up to! But Lucky goes his own way and records on Rhythm Bomb in Europe in his own style. Flying in from Austin Texas, with his wife Natalie on fiddle, this is real deal in country rock. ‘Heard Your Name’ on his new album is set to be a modern Classic or I’ll eat my Stetson hat...

THE ORIGINAL RICARDOS (UK)

Another Rave Exclusive see’s the Ricardos take to the stage in their twentieth year Reunion Show!

Two decades ago they dared to play stripped down rockabilly, write their own material and record in one or takes on a 10” album that became a yardstick for authentic style rockabilly in the UK. Added to that, they still have their own teeth and hair, which pretty much makes them legends on our scene already!

SOUTA & THE BLITZ ATTACK BOYS (JAPAN)

When these young sharply dressed kats from the East hit the stage, grab hold of something and hang on tight. These kids are gonna shake your teeth loose with a jolt of high energy and blisteringly hot rockabilly. Warning: This is not quiet slow country music; do not bring a rockin chair and your knitting to this show... what were you thinking? Which bit of ‘Blitz Attack’ didn’t you understand??

HOT RHYTHM & BOOZE (FRANCE)

The wildest band from France, formed back in ’96, they made a name for themselves with raw powerful rockabilly. A fantastic 10” album on Dog House followed, with their ‘theme’ song Hot Rhythm & Booze written by Don Cavalli. But of course what they are best known for is being totally drunk at the front of the stage at every gig you can ever remember (and some you can’t). Total commitment. Total insanity.

THE FLAT BROKE TRIO (FINLAND)

There are some bands that produce great sounding records and then can’t deliver the same quality live on stage. The Flat Broke boys are not one of those bands. Not only do Rami, Henri and Ari produce great vinyl but they sound sweeter on stage than spooning honey in your ears. Of course if you drink what these Finish farm boys drink, believe me, putting honey in your ears will be the least of your problems...

TRULY LOVER TRIO (USA)

Lead singer Marcel has the sound of a young Roy Orbison, when he recorded the good stuff for Sun. Interesting self written material stands the Trio head and shoulders above a standard down the line rockabilly combo. Having already played a couple of smaller UK gigs, it’s high time the boys played on the big Rave stage!

MARTI BROM (USA)

We are always very proud to have Marti play the Rave. Proud and a little surprised as in the past we have billed her as Martin Broom, made her live in a damp trailer and only fed her spready cheese sandwiches for days on end. I mean let’s face it Marti is a world class singer and gets much bigger gigs than ours, so I am amazed (and thankful) that she has agreed to return... perhaps she needed to as therapy? I’ll start making the sandwiches...

CRAZY JOE (USA)

Not only is Crazy Joe one of the nicest people that you’ll ever meet but he is one of the very finest musicians. So quiet and studious offstage that he has been dubbed Nerdabilly... but once that boy has a guitar in his hands it is jaw droppingly good. Do you think some of the world’s best guitarists will get up to jam with Joe? Not if they’ve got any self respect or sense they won’t! (Luckily they have neither and can be easily bribed with beer so it should be a great show!)

WHISTLE BAIT (FINLAND)

Thursday night would not be complete without a huge mad bad band playing rockabilly, rock’n’roll, rockin blues a bit of surf and possibly some Classical Opera for all I know... there are so many people in this band it’s like joining two rockin combos together with gaffa tape. Much respected in Finland (where let’s face it most people are drunk or crazy or both...) we are very glad to finally get these guys to the Rave. Just don’t tell them we haven’t got enough money to fly them all home again...

THE TAG ALONGS (UK/FRANCE/PORTUGAL/MARS)

A truly International band featuring; Gorgeous Gautier’s Gallic Guitar, Tony, the slick South London Slingerland Slapper and crazed frontman Bill Fadden who appears to be from another dimension (thought to be Mars – or possibly Essex...) Getting together for rehearsals is especially hard as the ‘Big Boom’ Nuno has to be transported from Portugal in a fridge to keep his red hot fingers from spontaneously bursting into flames.

RUBY ANN (PORTUGAL)

I wrote on the sleeve notes of Ruby Ann’s new album; ‘These aren’t just songs; they represent a shy young girl turning into a confident, talented woman... this is a life affirming musical story. And a good one at that!’ Now it’s not often that I write anything remotely sensible, but here I felt I had to. Ruby Ann has used her recent life experience to become a stronger person and has produced her best album to date. Get her to sign a copy for you after her show at the Rave!

THE LADYKILLERS (UK)

Luke and the boys gained a lot of new fans when they won last year’s Battle of the Bands. And rightly so, with good music and a great attitude, they now get to play the prestigious Main Stage. I think it’s fair to say that ‘our scene’ is now in the hands of talented youngsters such as these boys. And I don’t know about you, but if all the young bands are aiming at this standard, I think we’ll still have a pretty cool scene!

DOUG WILSHIRE (AUSTRALIA)

When Doug did a guest appearance a few years ago on a Thursday night some people missed him... which was a great shame as he is a gifted singer/songwriter and rarely performs in the Northern Hemisphere! We couldn’t be more pleased to get him back over from down under... many thanks to Ralph from Rhythm Bomb for helping to make this happen. Ralph can often be found down under the Rhythm Bomb stall after a small lager...

CHARLIE THOMPSON (UK/SWEDEN)

Our national treasure CT is back and this time brings his favourite Swedish musicians to the party, (like they needed an excuse to come to a party where alcohol was involved...). Expect top drawer vocal delivery, note perfect musicianship, period perfect stage clothes, big hats and inevitably when Charlie gets a microphone in front of him, some terrible jokes...!!!

THE LUCKY BULLETS (NORWAY)

After listening to the great album Gold Digger recorded at the Lightning Studios in Berlin, like a shot we aimed high and bit the bullet and luckily were able to book The Lucky Bullets; the first Norwegian rockabilly band ever to play the Rave! NB: Please do not fire guns in the air while bands are playing... it may put off their timing... and it’s probably a tiny bit illegal as it carries a 20 year jail sentence.

THE ROUND UP BOYS (GERMANY)

For more years then I can remember the Round Up Boys have been at the top of their game in writing, performing and recording; their image and professionalism is well known and respected throughout our scene. Slightly more worrying is that they also like a good party. These guys embody the spirit of the Rave. Play well, party hard. I’ll drink to that. Several times...

DUCK & COVER (DENMARK)

Our first band from Denmark recorded their last album with Wally Hersom in California. The American roots based tunes are beautifully recorded as you would expect at Wallyphonic... and amazingly quirky in style which I had not expected at all... if you think bands on our scene all have to sound the same, Duck and Cover are going to make you think again with self written tunes which are like a breath of fresh air.

L.P. & HIS DIRTY WHITE BUCKS (UK)

Long overdue at the Rave, Les and the boys play the material that is the soundtrack of many hardcore rockabilly fans lives – sure its rockabilly, but some of the rarer more obscure tunes that have been discovered over the years that seldom, if ever, get played by other bands. When these guys open the Rave they’ll take you back to 1954... (just make sure you’re back in 2012 in time for bed)!

THE LONESOME DRIFTERS (GERMANY)

We are proud to bring over a fantastically talented new trio, causing a stir all over Europe and making their Rave debut in June. The fact that they are also young and good looking probably won’t harm their career too much either!!! Girls please use the toilets before you get down the front for their show... you know what happens when you get too excited...

THE STRAIGHT ACES (UK)

Just starting out on their musical journey, the Straight Aces are from the new breed of youngsters playing rockin music. So we thought we’d introduce them to the scene by lovingly throwing them into the deep end of the most hardcore rockabilly show on the planet... just to see how they get on!!! No pressure then boys... (I bet nobody misses rehearsals now...)!

THE ZAZOU COWBOYS (UK)

The Zazou Cowboys do like a little fiddle... but enough about what they get up to offstage. It’s the onstage fiddle playing from *** that sets this band apart. Couple that with Chris & Yann from the brilliant Bonneville Barons, and add in the supremely talented Willie Briggs and you’ve got yourself a hillbilly supergroup. Get your best teeth in and comb the bugs out of your hair... it’s Zazou time!

JACK RABBIT SLIM (UK)

If you want to know about the life and reality of being in a hardworking rockabilly band in the twenty first century then pick up a copy of ‘Jet Lag, Junk Food & JD’. A documentary featuring JRS on the road, in the air, in high heels, asleep, awake, naked, drunk, sober, playing, fighting and in most other states recognised by well travelled rockabillies... Do not view on a full stomach. Contains some disturbing scenes, flash photography and nuts...

Comperes

Del Villarreal (USA): Motorcity motormouth, never stuck for a few hundred words.
Russ (UK): Impeccable, smooth, debonair, occasionally drunk...

Resident Busker

King Kukulele (USA): Flown in from LA... worth the admission price alone...

International DJs

Topper (USA): The top young DJ who is helping shape the US scene.
Boppin Bud (USA): Glad to get him back, the very best from way out West!
Danny (Spain): Bringing the Sun Sound from the sunshine of Spain.
Rudy (Belgium): Great sounds and always smiling... that’s Belgian beer for you..!
Blip Blop (Germany): The completely unique master of country rock and hillbilly.

DJs from the UK

Cosmic Keith: A living legend, the king of the original 45s.
Little Carl: Effortless masterclass in floor filling from the UKs most in demand DJ!
Simon Moon: Decades of experience in one big rockin package!
Carrie Hope: Stylish and glamorous but even more stylish record selection!
Young Eddie: Fantastic ear for filling the floor. A big name for the future.
Jimmy Guntrip: His dad might as well retire, ‘cause there’s a new kid in town!
Steve Spincity: Impossibly tall and good looking, but luckily plays excellent new sounds!

New DJs this year

Little Queenie: Following in her musical families footsteps...
Billy ‘The Hick’ Price: Hillbilly records played by youngsters? Only at the Rave!

The Rockabilly Rave features

Three live music venues, all night bars, massive dancefloors, Europe’s largest Vintage and Retro Shopping Mall, Sunday morning Indoor Flea Market, unique snooker table vintage motorbike displays, reserved parking for Hot Rods, Classics and Kustoms, late night Honky Tonk Juke Joint, Saturday afternoon Summertime Cruise with The Detonators Car Club, Rave TV featuring all new Bear Family and Bopflix DVD releases, Lipstick ‘n’ Curls Salon for all hair and beauty needs, Robs Chop Shop – the Dallas Barber for all men’s cuts and grease, Restaurant, Take Aways, Slot Machines, Amusements, Indoor Swimming Pool and Rockabilly Rave Merchandise Stall... and much more that we’re certainly not going to print...!!!

The Rockabilly Rave accepts no responsibility for non appearance of any acts advertised in this brochure. In the interests of preventing Global Warming we have asked all acts to cycle to the Rave instead of flying. It is possible only the Dutch will turn up...