SETZER SUPPORT BANDS THROUGH THE YEARS

Here's an idea for a new thread. Our pals, "Dibbs Preston & the Detonators" opened for the Brian Setzer Orchestra this year and by all accounts, they went down a storm (errrr, Budge.....that means people liked them). My question is, who have you seen open for Brian that you really dug. When I say Brian, I mean with the Cats, 68CBS, BSO, Nashvillains, Radiation Ranch or solo.

One of my fave support acts was a band called "Lucky 7" who opened for Stray Cats at the Stone Pony in 1988. Great gig that was. I remember that the Cats opened with a slow version of "Baby Blue Eyes" (or "Your Baby Blue Eyes") and it was just incredible. That place was on fire that cold October night.

Whack! Ball's in your court!

-Tommy

I remember BR5-49, you know that.
haha !

What was called the opening band for '98 BSO tour ?
I guess something "Souvenir",,,
They weren't Rockin' but they are impressive to me because it was first Setzer show that I watched in United States.

Ahhhh yes, Nao! 8 1/2 Souvenirs! They opened the 1998 BSO Winter tour. I listened to their CD a few weeks ago. "Happy Feet" it was called. Gypsy Jazz band, great female singer. Gorgeous as I recall. They were really, really good. BR5-29 were also super. You only fell asleep because of jet-lagg. Good memory, I forgot about the Souvenirs.
-Tommy Rodak Miko

Breathless a great rockabilly band with modern sound, they opened for the Stray Cats Europe tour in 89.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85884652

I enjoyed the Rumblejetts, who opened for the Cats in Kansas City this past summer. Their rockabilly version of Tom Petty's "American Girl" was aces, and they definitely caught my ear with the great cover of "Please Give Me Something," (which the Cats kinda nicked back in the day for "Crawl Up and Die,") but they also rocked the crowd with numerous originals, including my favorite "That'll Be All From You."

In 2001, at the 68CBS KC appearance, there were three (!) opening bands. I was prepared to resent them all, as I was dying to see Brian, Bernie, and Mark. The Nace Brothers were kind of a Blasters-type band (that's oversimplifying their sound, to be sure) but they had a couple of great songs in that set, "Suicide Dog" and "Quit Yer Bitchin'." They were clearly the top area band of the night (from Warrensburg, MO) but also I held a special place in my heart for the whiskey-drenched, tobacco-laden stylings of the Snot Rockets.

The Slaptones were fun. I saw them on the opener of the 2005 tour - their first US gig, they said. They were quite well-received, and you could hear the Minneapolis folk give a collective "awww" when the band did their introductions and the audience found out that not only were they sisters, but it was their father on the drums.

I also caught 8 1/2 Souveniers in November 1998. I was already into Grappelli, Django, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, and other small combo jazz musicians, so I really dug their Gypsy Jazz vibe. I can't recall that they really won over the crowd, but I enjoyed them. And then the BSO tore up the old polka hall. The chandeliers were rockin'!

Clearly, I've missed many of the great ones. Dibbs and the Detonators, Hillbilly Casino, Dan Hicks, Richard Cheese... dig deep and let's hear about 'em.

What's the story-billy

Did any of you English duffers see the "Mod" band, The Barracudas open for the Cats on the 1981 U.K. Tour? Never heard them, but they had a really cool logo.

Eaton rifles are go,
Tommy

Yeah, 8 1/2 Souvenirs !
Thanks Big T.
I will look them at Tower Records tomorrow.
Good memories with them, a short trip on the Grey Hound !
Nao

Hey Tommy,
What's the latest CD of Dibbs Preston ?
I wanna check him also.

Ambassador Nao wrote:

Hey Tommy,
What's the latest CD of Dibbs Preston ?
I wanna check him also.

Its just called "Dibbs Preston & the Detonators".

Ambassador Nao wrote:

What's the latest CD of Dibbs Preston ?

Nao,
I'll send you a package soon.
Tommy

Ambassador Nao wrote:

Hey Tommy,
What's the latest CD of Dibbs Preston ?
I wanna check him also.

Hey Nao,

You can check out a couple of their tunes here: Dibbs
I should have something to Tommy for you soon...

Going back to the original intent of this thread...

I quite enjoyed Dibbs & the Detonators on this last BSO tour, and the Slaptones a couple of years back. Of course, those that know me know I am big fan of (as well as have a soft spot for) The Marauders who opened some shows on the 2006 BSO Xmas tour.

As far as Stray Cats go, seeing 14 Karat Soul and the Fabulous Thunderbirds open back in 1984 was pretty amazing.

Thanks guys !

I personally liked Tommy Conwell at this years christmas tour. It wasn't quite the same as having a full rockin band, but the jazzy swing vibe was perfect for the show. Also their version of the classic Louie Prima "Buona Sera" was amazing.

But the worse band i ever saw open for the Cats (ok, not worse, most mis-matched) was a band called Ezio, at the T&C in London in the 80's (can't recall the exact date at the moment). They were two guys and they took the piss out of Rockabilly - anyone remember? In actual fact, they were pretty crafted musicians and i believe they wrote some decent tunes, but it was just wrong place wrong time. then again, i guess we've all had our share of that situation - lol . Love


Mikey xx

Maybe I am biased, but the comeback tour in '89 ('88 in the States) and my mates the Guanabatz did the whole tour. I think Pip's dog (Pigdog) died after he met Brian - lol (seriously) But I remember that tour with sincere affection. Worthing rocked, and Leeds saw Britt Ekland in the audience (Ithink - this is all from memory riddled with Alzheimers) But, Pip and i were genuine fans of the cats when we were gigging (he with the Batz, me with the Highliners) and I know he was in as much awe of supporting them as I would have been. the tour was fantastic, but really guys, union jack shorts!!!! Enter a lawsuit somewhere or other.

Mikey xx

Mikey Sheffield,
EZIO opened for he BSO at the Forum (ex- Town & Country) in Kentish Town London in 1995. I thought they were amazing. You didn't dig 'em eh?

Hey mate, the Outter Ring Road is open again, but look for slow traffic over Lady's Bridge.

Cheers,
Alex Turner

Taking me down the long and convoluted path of memory lane! LOVED Lucky 7 and also Br-549. I went to see Lucky 7 play several more times on their own and they were tight, consistent, and just rocked. I think my all-time favorite though was 14 Carat Soul... Boston, 198(1?). Bring on the doo-wop!

Hey there Tommy, hope all is well.

I remember BR5-49 opening for BSO. I also remember Michael Ubaldini opening for BSO at the Coach House many a years ago. How about "The Mighty Hornets" opening for the Stray Cats in the late 80's. Or Dan Hicks (I know Brian likes Dan Hicks, But he is by far the WORST opening act so far, he can't carry a tune to save his life). Alsom "The Payne Brothers" opened for Brian at the Coach House, here in Southern California.

That's all I can think about for now.

Later and Have A Gretsch day !


Ross

...also remember a neat little band called Terrell, fronted by Charlie Terrell, in 1996 or 1997. Amazing, huge sound, southern rootsy-bluesy rock. Loved them. They were touring in support of their album "Beautiful Side of Madness." My favorite song of theirs is called "Shotgun." LOVED them.

Loved Dibbs Preston and the Detonators this year... i wanted to get their cd at the intermission, but the line was huge!
I liked the slaptones with the bso two years ago, they were great. But I think my favorite openers for the BSO and for the 68 CBS were Blazing Haley... I'm not sure that they're together anymore, but I'd never really heard psychobilly till that band and they blew me away. I still can't get over how cool these cats were, i mean what other band had a bass player who played a bass covered in kelly green fur?!?!?! lol


Cori

Yo Buffy-Eskimo!
I don't remember Mr. Terrell, but your post is exactly why I started this thread. You even mentioned the album and the song you remember. Simply because I know your taste in music is so grand, I'll "Google" Charlie tomorrow and turn myself on.

Setzer fans are a passionate and intelligent lot and the traffic on this forum in less than a week proves it.

Great stuff.

Tommy

The gears are starting to grind as the years come back to me now....! I remember a lot of opening performances but the really memorable ones for me had it all: great lyrics, great tunes, bands who were a little bit different, but who had the confidence to win over the crowd. Even Alien Fashion Show was memorable, in their own special way.

The Marauders all the way! They were so frickin' amazing!!! What a blend that was...one band complementing the other.

Cool topic Tommy,

I absolutely loved Indigo swing. They supported bso the last time they came to the Netherlands, in '99. I watched them with my mouth open.. I was really lucky to walk in to them after the show and I was able to tell them how much I liked it. I got their cd and played it very often. Still do. I think it's really sad they split up..