Rockabilly Style

Originally Posted by Mike.

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Hi all, this is my first post and i joined this forum today just to comment in this thread.

I live in South Africa and believe it or not, own a company who makes Creepers. Just found it really interesting that a topic like this is being discussed when we have been predicting a mass comeback of the style for a while now.

I don't think the style ever really dissapeared but (IMO) I can't imagine it coming back THAT strong (not that it wouldn't be a good thing).

I could be wrong but it reminds me of western wear; it never goes away, it's always kinda popular, but it never really goes fully mainstream (thank god).

the psychobilly scene is getting huge again so I think the market for creepers is def out there. Creepers never really went out anyways, it's been a staple in the punk scene since Malcolm McLaren brought them out to the forefront again in the 70s

Originally Posted by Tck13

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it never really goes fully mainstream (thank god).

Sha Na Na were the kings of Woodstock
You know it's true deep in your heart
Greasy guys in gold lame
If only Hendrix had been so smart
Pete Townshend wouldn't be so deaf
If he had followed Sha Na Na's advice
and played some fifties doo-person of Italian descent songs
That even your mom would think are nice

Keith and Janis went away
But Sha Na Na are here to stay
I don't care about Joan Baez
But Sha Na Na can wear my fez

Sha Na Na were the kings of the sixties
Deep in your heart you know it's true
All those at Berkeley dressed like Bowser
They didn't like the Stones or the Who
Sha Na Na didn't need no flower power
They didn't drive a yellow submarine
But they were the ones who called the shots
Yeah, Sha Na Na really made the scene

Sha Na Na ... killed Kennedy
Sha Na Na ... stabbed that guy at Altamont
Sha Na Na ... started the Peace Corps
Sha Na Na ... were the first astronauts
Sha Na Na ... grew organic food
Sha Na Na ... led student sit-ins
Sha Na Na ... joined the Black Panthers
Sha Na Na ... never seemed to fit in

You can move to Montana and listen to Santana
But you still won't be as cool as Sha Na Na

Originally Posted by Goblin

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Welcome! Do y'all have a website?

Yea, our site is (And I hope this link works)

http://www.critik.net

and our Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/critikfootwear

Mike

Originally Posted by Get Smart

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the psychobilly scene is getting huge again so I think the market for creepers is def out there. Creepers never really went out anyways, it's been a staple in the punk scene since Malcolm McLaren brought them out to the forefront again in the 70s

Just saw a Nekromantix ad at a bus stop bench on Hollywood blvd, I've never seen a psychobilly or rockabilly band advertise like that before.

I dunno, I think only pretty dedicated subcultureheads wear creepers and winklepickers. Personally, I associate creepers with fat chicks in Hot Topic, but I am pretty unschooled in the rockabilly thing.

On another note...

Originally Posted by goblin

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Dead Milkmen lyrics...

I was thinking of buying this shirt again, I think my moms threw it out with my dead kennedys shirts in 1996...

Originally Posted by lance konami

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Just saw a Nekromantix ad at a bus stop bench on Hollywood blvd, I've never seen a psychobilly or rockabilly band advertise like that before.

yea since Tim Hellcat decided to stick his hand in the psychobilly pot, he's signed Nekromantix, Tiger Army, & Horrorpops, getting that scene some mainstream recognition.

btw, if you want to check out (in my biased opinion) best modern rockabilly band, it's all about my nigs The Three Bad Jacks

www.threebadjacks.com

www.myspace.com/threebadjacks

They just left for a full US tour and are gearing up for a European tour in summer, and playing my wedding in Nov!!

GS, what's your opinion of the old Stray Cats stuff? Three Bad Jacks really remind me of that style.

But then I'm biased because Setzer's one of my all-time favorite guitarists.

overall I like the Stray Cats, but I wouldnt consider them an example of good rockabilly (in the real sense), being an 80s band their sound has too much its decades pop sensibility, which isn't a bad thing, but it makes them sound like an artifact. Oddly, if they had a more authentic 50s sound, they'd actually be more timeless. But for what they play, it's fantastic, and their inspiration was in the right place, covering a lot of Gene Vincent & Eddie Cochran. I know Chris Gallup was a big influence of Setzer's

There were other bands at the same time as the Stray Cats.... Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers, Sandy Ford and his Flying Saucers, Matchbox, etc all doing rockabilly in a way that could have been recorded in 1956, 1976 (which it was more or less), 1986, or even 2006.

Setzer's guitar skill is undeniable tho, and I think all of his projects have all benefitted from it.

I'll have to check those other mentioned bands out.

OK, here's a question ... what do you wear with creepers? I'm mainly interested in pants options.

Originally Posted by Goblin

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OK, here's a question ... what do you wear with creepers? I'm mainly interested in pants options.

jeans, cuffed high enough to be about 1" above the shoes

jeans, tight enough and hemmed about .5" above the shoes

in general something pretty fitted/tight so that you get the "big feet" effect, which is what you want with creepers

I just wasn't sure if there were any good options other than tight jeans ... slacks, etc.

I'll post pics as soon as I pick up those creepers from tattoo guy.

Originally Posted by Get Smart

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jeans, cuffed high enough to be about 1" above the shoes

jeans, tight enough and hemmed about .5" above the shoes

in general something pretty fitted/tight so that you get the "big feet" effect, which is what you want with creepers

Any idea what pants were worn? I've seen some killer khakis (maybe more skinhead / punk) which always looked cool. They tended to be worn with crisp white dress shirts.

I assume they were just Dickies or Carhardts (or even just thrift store or vintage) but was wondering if you knew any brands.

I can remember an old music video of a skinhead with a perfectly fitted / pressed white button down shirt, khakis (perfectly pressed) doing whatever on the streets throughout the video and really looking good.

It turns out later in the video, the skinhead was a girl but it was hard to tell because she just looked like some guy with a buzzed haircut.

Social Distortion (Mike Ness) also comes to mind. He always had some great fitted work pants? dress pants. I really like the clean, fitted look with some cool accessories. Never over the top (well, except for the tatts) but stylish (with attitude) in a cool way.

yea you're thinking of Dickies. It used to be an American skinhead thing to get Dickies, taper them to about 7.5", roll them up so your boots show. Khaki dickies were real popular, I used to do it with grey and black ones too. British guys did the same thing with Levis Sta-Prest, which are basically just like Dickies

The same look works with Creepers too, but obviously you get a different vibe. and probably not the khaki ones but black or dark grey.