The Rocketz video for “Before the Night” begins with frontman guitarist/singer Tony Slash getting attacked by a wild animal in the alley behind a club before the band goes on. The scenario plays out like Teen Wolf meets Thriller: As the SoCal punkabilly trio (also featuring Anthony Drinkwater on drums and Nick “Chango” Anchondo on upright bass) crank out their catchy “Before the Night” in front of an adoring crowd. The video’s protagonist changes into a werewolf before everyone’s eyes, but never stops playing. First his eyes glow yellow. Then, canine fangs poke out of his mouth and his fingernails extend into sharp, clawlike points in between guitar strums. Lastly, Slash’s face is engulfed with overgrown mutton chops. After Slash completely morphs into a rockabilly wolfman, the band continues to perform at an even higher velocity, while the audience cheers on, simultaneously freaked out and amped up.
The Rocketz present a cornucopia of The Misfits showmanship, The Cramps campy horror, Rancid’s brand of pop-punk and Brian Setzer’s style.
Frequent Rocketz tour buddies Craic Haus’ mashup of rockabilly and Irish music – “Shamrockabilly” – may be the only band of its kind. The father-son team of Danny (drums/lead vocals) and Dylan Oberbeck (guitar/mandolin), along with Dylan’s buddy Julian Johnson (upright double bass), describe their sound as “Flogging Molly meets Reverend Horton Heat” with the occasional penny whistle.
The Southern California group’s originals, like “Bottom of a Guinness” and “Shillelagh Bop,” emit similar beer-drinking singalong camaraderie a la century-old classics like “Danny Boy” and “The Wild Rover.”
The Lonely Revolts represent the lineup’s local flavor. The Salinas outfit, featuring guitarist/singer Josh Galvan, bassist Lupe Gtrz and drummer Chip Fratangelo, churn out what they have dubbed “working-class punk rock.” The trio is equally influenced by Woody Guthrie and The Clash.
The unexpected surprise of The Lonely Revolts repertoire is a punkafied cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” The Man in Black’s attack on the establishment is a fitting song to get a punk makeover.
THE ROCKETZ, CRAIC HAUS and THE LONELY REVOLTS 7pm Sunday, Jan. 31. Pizza Factory, 926 S. Main St., Salinas. $10. 758-3227.
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