Lewis, George. "Dirt Roads and White Lines: Identity and Place in the Country Sound of the Other California." Journal of Popular Culture 38.5 (2002) 194-208.
This journal article provides sound evidence of the birth of a Rockabilly culture. It suggests that "hillbilly" style country music which dealt with themes such as religion, redemption and human relationships was a base for a more "electrified" Rockabillly. This article particularly deals with what was occurring musically in California, which by now had a lot of migrants from depression ridden Oklahoma. "As regional differences in America have become increasingly less pronounced, and as Nashville TN has become more pop oriented and focused toward the production of grand-slam national radio hits, the evocation of region and place in country music has appeared to suffer."
Lewis provides an apt foundation for what was defined as Rockabilly in the previously listed work of Brewer. Assertions can also be made from this that those musicians who made rockabilly music, such as Sun Records' Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins, were doing so in order to rebel against the type of music Lewis refers to as hillbilly. Instead of singing about religion and redemption, the new breed of Rockabilly musicians started singing elusively about sex and rebellion.
Although this article only deals with what was occurring in California, it alludes to a general consensus that spans America and other parts of the world as "regional differences in America became less pronounced".Another assertion can be made from this article that the psychobilly subculture of the future may have used the type of music within Lewis' research scope as a form of Shruker's bricolage which they overlaid with themes of horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Thursday, 5 May 2011
An unorthodox but equally interesting view on "the rockabilly beat"
Brewer, R. "The Use of Habanera Rhythm in Rockabilly Music." American Music. 17.3.(2005): 300-317.
Print.
This is an unorthodox viewpoint of rockabilly music in regards to how it is formed. Brewer claims that Habanera music (originating from 19th century Cuba - which was inhabited by a large population of slaves brought over from Africa) has had a profound influence on the percussion patterns primarily associated with rockabilly music. I find this quite interesting because rockabilly music is associated with "simple" hillbilly, skiffle and country music of the 1930's and 40's. These styles of music are not known for being musically complex or broad in their percussive range.
Brewer also gives a very apt definition of rockabilly music stating that it's "at present is typically defined as the hybrid of blues and country that has become rock and roll." The oddness of southern musicians of the time (who lived in entirely racially segregated regions) being interested in the music of African culture is also highlighted. It brings to mind similair notions of the "Mod" from working class 1960's London riding Italian scooters to "other" themselves in society. This article will be a good basis to correlate an argument of Rockabilly music creating a subculture that then paved the way for the Psychobilly subculture 30 years later.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Big In Japan!
One of the biggest followings of Rockabilly Culture is in none other than Japan! Tokyo especially. Rockabilly culture is most alive in one of Tokyo's oldest prefectures, Ueno.
In this image you can see the rockabilly subculture alive and well within a few males who are dancing in Ueno park. The heavily greased pompadours, cowboy boots and leather jackets complete the "uniform" of the Rockabilly subculture.
ROCK ON!
In this image you can see the rockabilly subculture alive and well within a few males who are dancing in Ueno park. The heavily greased pompadours, cowboy boots and leather jackets complete the "uniform" of the Rockabilly subculture.
ROCK ON!
What I intend to do...
Welcome to AJP.
I intend to dwelve into what is referred to as the "rockabilly" and "psychobilly" cultures. I would like to hone my work towards the creation of the psychobilly culture. In order to do that, I need to first explore the rockabilly culture that was responsible for its creation.
In order to do this, I will be using several academic journals to justify my points. I will post these in correlation with my own annotations that will explain their relevance in my research.
It won't be all boring though. I will also post pictures that I think idealy captures these fascinating subcultures for all to see.
I hope you enjoy!
King Regards,
Ian
I intend to dwelve into what is referred to as the "rockabilly" and "psychobilly" cultures. I would like to hone my work towards the creation of the psychobilly culture. In order to do that, I need to first explore the rockabilly culture that was responsible for its creation.
In order to do this, I will be using several academic journals to justify my points. I will post these in correlation with my own annotations that will explain their relevance in my research.
It won't be all boring though. I will also post pictures that I think idealy captures these fascinating subcultures for all to see.
I hope you enjoy!
King Regards,
Ian
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