Saturday 26th March – Review By David Sayers

Rockabilly fans were dressed to kill on Saturdayas they swarmed into Deville’s Pad for the launch of ‘Jungle Juice’, the third full length album by ROCKET TO MEMPHIS.

There was an explosion of the strange and wonderful from the moment the front gates opened. Among the festivities were fire-breathing, snake-charming go-go dancers, magic acts, a deliciously themed ‘Jungle Juice’ cocktail at the bar and a skeleton-faced, top-hat-wearing host named Diggy Bones. Deville’s was overflowing with good vibrations and the crowd couldn’t get enough of it.

DAY OF THE DEAD took to the stage and launched into an awe-inspiring set of instrumental surf-rock. Guitarist Ben Frichot showcased his immense talent on guitar with lightning fast solos which were drenched in reverb and bled the pure, unadulterated soul of rock ‘n’ roll. The rhythm section was tight and punchy thanks to double bassist Brendan Giambazi and drummer Luke Fragomeni. Dancers out the front of the stage were possessed by the devil himself as they shimmied and jived with reckless abandon to the tasty tunes provided. The fever swelled as Ben introduced a cover of DICK DALE‘s ‘Miserlou’ (otherwise known as the theme tune from Pulp Fiction) and what followed can only be described as an incredible homage to a living guitar legend.

Rocket To Memphis dove straight into the bombastic ‘I’m Bad’ and the audience ignited. The band was smokin’ hot, with lead singer Betty Bombshell delivering smouldering vocals as she grooved like a king cobra. The party continued as guitarist Razor Jack Memphis pulled out the spine tingling riff for ‘Jungle Juice’, before set highlight ‘Bad Girl’ nearly set the walls aflame with titillating three part harmonies from Betty, Jack and bassist Voodoo Viv. Drummer Shotgun Pete pounded the skins like a tribesman in the grips of madness. Hypnotised, the Sugar Blue Burlesque dancers slithered onstage to invoke the audience into a frenzy as the band finished with the freakishly fun ‘Zombie Rumble’.

The fans were literally shaking with anticipation as Diggy Bones announced there would be an encore performance. An immense tide of energy had been sacrificed and the crowd were exhausted, yet Rocket to Memphis managed to coax one final wave of boogie fever as they cruised through two more tracks of slick swamp-blues.

It was a memorable night, meticulously crafted the whole way. The level of musicianship and professionalism from the acts was awe-inspiring, with both Day of The Dead and Rocket to Memphis demonstrating that they are at the top of their game. Deville’s also proved itself to be a fantastic venue for local music, with crisp acoustics and a rich, otherworldly atmosphere.