Looking for a place to live that offers a quiet, comfortable atmosphere, and much more?
Well, picture this... Spacious 2 Bedroom Apartments
- Roomy Kitchens with Ceiling Fans
- Large Patios or Balconies
- Laundry Facilities in each Building
- Swimming Pool
- Close to Campus on KU Bus Route
Stop by or simply give us a call:
842-3040
On the corner of 9th and Avalon
Smith and his orchestra was that night's headlining act. I was somewhat disappointed because "Chubby" wasn't very fat at all and his orchestra consisted of three guys. So much for truth in advertising, I thought.
It brought together black people and white people," says Rosenberry. "It was a music that was very sexual. You can dance to it and jump up and down because it's rhythm oriented."
In recent years, both in Lawrence and nationwide, there has been a surge in the popularity of rockabilly and its speed-crazed son, psychobilly. While the term rockabilly is almost as vague as the term alternative, traditionally rockabilly was used to describe a genre of music popular in the '50s. According to Ricky Dean Sinatra band member Mark Rosenberry, who has played rockabilly music in Lawrence for almost a decade, rockabilly was a high-energy mix of country music and traditional rhythm and blues. It was first made popular by the man who would be King, Elvis Presley.
I decided to stick around anyway. As I stood at the bar, I wondered why Chubby was dressed like Elvis Presley during his Sun Records years. Now, nobody ever accused Kansas of being the most cosmopolitan state in the union, but in my New York opinion, these people had missed the fashion boat by a good 30 years. A few beers and two sets later I had my answer. Lawrence was then, and is now, in the midst of a psychobilly freakout.
To members of Kansas City's rockabilly band Hell Cat Trio, there is a sense of unity among rockabilly fans in Lawrence. "The crowd is excellent in Lawrence—people really get dressed up," says Hell Cat singer/bassist Calvin Bennet. "People actually get out there and dance."
Willis, a member of Kristi and the Starlight Rounders. "It's people who like to have fun. There's not a lot of anger in it. People are simply there to have a good time."
A rockabilly good time. At most shows, moshing is out, the twist is in. "There's a wave of people who are interested in couple dancing that like to go to shows because it's good swing dancing music," Willis said.
Rockabilly is more than good music, however. It's also an attitude that is played out with retro clothing. People who regularly go to rockabilly shows are in a group that's easy to spot. Just suffice it to say, not since the Stray Cats rocked this town and rocked it inside out have so many young men donned bowling shirts. The more distinguished gentlemen might wear a full suit and put a shine on a pair of wing tips. Tattoos also help. Perhaps the most important part of the look is the hair. Guys might want to consider buying Bril Cream in bulk. Whoever said "a little dab will do ya" was a fool and a liar.
As for the ladies, long plaid skirts and button-down sweaters are the way to go. For a better description, check out reruns of "Happy Days" and pay special attention to the young Joanie Cunningham. She had the look right down to the bobby socks. Fortunately, for the fashionably challenged amongst us, there is no strict dress code." As opposed to other rockabilly scenes, in Lawrence, you don't have to dress up, to have that hairdo," Willis says."You can just get off work, wear a T-shirt and have a good time."
M
With the exception of a few notable bands such as the Cramps in the 70s and the Stray Cats in the 80s, there weren't a lot of rockabilly bands around locally or nationally until recently. Lawrence's rockabilly renaissance began in the late eighties.
February, 1996 The Hill
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