By Brad Dress
With their raw sense of humor, 50’s-style vocals and fast, ripping punk chords, the psychobilly “preacher” group Reverend Horton Heat promises to rock the show into flames at the 9:30 Club Dec. 3.
The psychobilly group — a genre that blends the 50’s-style of rock, classic punk and folk-blues — stay true to their calling, even after 11 studio albums and more than 25 years in the music industry. Rhythm, rock-blues and a constant homage to that insatiable decade continues to thrust concert-goers back in time.
To see them live is a transformative experience, according to the 9:30 Club. The Heat shed some serious rock ‘n’ roll while lumping in a performative live show — soaring, singing flames and a wild, leaping trio of 50’s time travelers. Sometimes, in the background are the Heatettes, a group of dancing cowgirls in the intoxicating, simplistic colors of the 1950’s. For those who love country, the rhythm folk-blues are softly mixed into most songs, adding an exotic flair to the searing rock music.
And there is also the comedy, which stems from the band’s name and personas they make light of. The Heat are anything but evangelical preachers, which is easily detectable in most of their songs, most notably “Let Me Teach You How to Eat” off their latest album, “ Rev.”
This, truly, is a punk-rock show you don’t want to miss.
Jim Heath founded the Heat and takes the stage name Reverend Horton Heat. Heath founded the group back in 1985, coming off the cusp of a marriage and child. While growing up playing rock music in various bands, Heath had retired from music to work a fulltime job to support his family.
However, after seeing the new wave of punk-rock bands and getting goaded to perform onstage one night, Heath formed the Heat to pursue his dreams again.
Their first album “Smoke ‘em if You Got ‘em” was released in 1991 and produced the massive hit “Psychobilly Freakout.” The group made 10 more studio albums, which were all met with even success.
“Rev” was released in 2014 and spawned the hit “Victory Lap,” an instrumental that stands as a testament to the band’s guitar prowess. Heath is expected to perform with long-running bandmate Jimbo Wallace on bass and a backup drummer.
The Blasters, a rock group of a similar type, will open for the Heat, as well as Dale Watson, a folk singer.
Tickets are $30, and are still available for purchase.
Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Reverend Horton Heat’s Facebook page.
Brad Dress is a junior journalism major and can be reached at dressbrad@gmail.com.
