Unable to get a record
deal or to make any musical progress in the United States of America, THE
QUAKES—like the Stray Cats—jumped over the ocean and joined
London’s rockin’ underground in 1987. Their self-titled debut
album, out on Nervous Records, is a fast, hard rockin’ and powerful
piece of vinyl loaded with tons of (early) fan favourites, many of
them still part of the band’s live set. Highlights: Pack Our Bags And Go,
Where Did It Go?, Psycho Attack, Show Me,
Psychobilly Jeckyll & Mr Hyde and Satan On My Side.
Voice Of America is the second straight classic long-playing record from the US trio. Though they went a short way back to their Rockabilly roots, most of the tracks still have the power to drive you mental. Killer tracks are definitely the Psychobilly/Rockabilly anthem Stick To Your Guns and the opening tune, Puttin’ Out The Flame. Other highlights are U.S.A., What Will They Say About Me and their excellent cover version of the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black.
This CD release includes thirteen tracks, all recorded live during the band’s first Japanese Tour back in 1991. Originally set to be out on Planet Records, the copyright of the tracks was passed to Nervous Records. The set list not only offers live versions of some of the best tracks from their first two studio albums, but also some great cover versions and Strike Out King, a song that was added as a bonus track on one of the re-releases of their debut platter. As is the case with most live albums, Live In Tokyo is best enjoyed as a full session listening, but highlights are arguably their cover of The Wigsville Spliffs Lonely Boy, which opens the live set, Paint It Black, Stick To Your Guns and their interpretation of the Stray Cats anthem, Fishnet Stockings.
This album was originally released by Sony Records and was intended to promote Rockabilly and Psychobilly in Japan. This is definitely not a typical straight Psychobilly stomper with its combination of different musical styles and influences, like New Wave, Punk Rock and even some Adam Ant. But when you are finally settled in, you get superb song-writing, excellent musicianship and one of the more entertaining Psychobilly albums. Among the highlights is a brilliant cover version of Depeche Mode´s Behind The Wheel. Other highlights are New Generation, Dateless Night, It’s Gone and Now I Wanna.
Quiff Rock is the fourth studio album from THE QUAKES, originally out on Tombstone Records. The fourteen songs offer a huge assortment of different sounds and great song-writing with lyrics far beyond the horror movie cliché. The album is definitely one of the best albums from an era when Psychobilly was on the decline and the scene seemed to be over. After obtaining the rights from Tombstone, Quiff Rock was re-released on Orrexx Records in 2007 with eight bonus tracks. Highlights: Throw It All Away, Animals, Cool To Be A Punk, Dinosaur In Leather Pants and Die In This Town.
Six years after their last studio album, Last Of The Human Beings hit the record shops and offered proof that THE QUAKES were still alive and rocking. The band again comes along with an exciting assortment of musical influences without losing their Rockabilly roots. They even tried the New Wave classic Killing Moon, which really sounds brilliant as a Neorockabilly tune. Their fifth studio album is also the initial release on their own Orrexx Records label. Highlights: I Don’t Come From Nowhere, Wasted, Rockin’ Cats, Clone and Future Shock Rock.
This is another brilliant production from Paul Roman’s creative hotbed of Psychobilly made in the U.S.A. The album is another furious blend of different musical styles, mixed to a modern model of still-authentic Psychobilly sound, boosted by great guitar play and those very ambitious lyrics. It includes fourteen tracks plus a hidden bonus song (Ant Music). The digipak release comes with a nice booklet, which also includes all lyrics. Highlights: Nothing To Say, USA Psychos, Place Called Today, Send Me An Angel and Lifetime To Go.
This is the seventh studio
release from THE QUAKES, also out on Paul Roman’s own Orrexx Records.
The album includes another twelve top-notch tunes, all combining the band’s
landmark of high-quality song-writing, exciting variation of sounds and
influences as well as excellent musicianship. The new line-up matches perfectly
and the addition of special guests doesn’t hurt either. All songs are
originals and range between straight Psychobilly stompers and classic
Neorockabilly sounds, many sophisticated with a decent shot of New Wave and
70’s Punk. Kinda Negative Charge, but that’s the way life is.
With all killers, highlights are hard to pick, but my personal favourites are Seven
Seas Alone, Spirit Of The Cat, Time Wasters,
Ready For A War, Turn On You Tomorrow and Everything
Must Die.