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Transistor 66 Showcase with The Rowdymen, Black Dirt of the West & Black Top Five
Palomino
Saturday, May 8 - Saturday, May 8

More in: Rock / Pop

Blazing from the garages of Winnipeg to the streets of Calgary, The Rowdymen carry a signature rockabilly-meets-the-Prairies sound wherever it may roam, racking up over 10 years worth of blood, sweat and boogie in the process. Refreshed and ready to get back on that mechanical bull after a two-year absence from Alberta, the smartly coiffed quartet looks forward to bringing its latest release, Gas, Liquor and Fireworks, to life for the enjoyment of its Calgary fans.

“It’s the greatest thing since Dark Side of the Moon,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Jason Allen with a good-natured chuckle. “It’s Sgt. Pepper’s and The Wall all rolled into one.”

That kind of quality doesn’t come overnight. Sure enough, The Rowdymen took a full four years between its classic Rubberneckin’ and the new rip-roarer. Why the delay? It’s all about the money.

“That’s what it basically came down to,” he says. “But when we did get around to the recording and producing, it was the most laid-back, cool experience you could imagine; none of this watching the clock while some knob-twisting jerk pisses me off every two minutes. Honestly, the Transistor 66 label has poured as much money, time and energy into The Rowdymen as any given band member. We’re incredibly fortunate to have their continued support.”

The Winnipeg-based Transistor 66 is indeed a fitting reward for a band that’s roamed the grasslands in search of the right spot to set up shop. Some will recall that there once was a time when Cowtown called The Rowdymen its own, and the heartbeat of its upright bass throbbed through Calgary basement parties and dancehall blowouts alike. But, as Allen recalls, despite its vibrant music scene, this town just wasn’t big enough for his band and the likes of rockabilly regulars like Hurricane Felix and the Twisters, Eve Hell and the Razors and, most notably, The Smokin’ 45s.

“The Rowdymen spent two years making a go of it in Calgary between 2006 and 2008, and we were really tight with the entire rockabilly set while we were based there,” Allen explains. “Calgary has a really strong music community that doesn’t get its due; they have a lot of devout music lovers and a hell of a lot of talent to offer. Ritchie from The Razors, Felix, The 45s — those guys are all great musicians and really good people, to boot.”

Banking on an ability to bang out a rockin’ show that recalls the shack-shakers of yore while piling on enough intensity and drive to appease the shrewdest punk fan, the band stakes its stellar reputation on substance over style; an apparently successful formula that sets it apart from its bouffant-boasting sisters and blue-suede brethren.

“We have a lot in common with The Smokin’ 45s in that we don’t put a lot of emphasis on how we look as compared to how we play,” Allen explains. “Leather jackets and vintage rides are certainly a big part of whole rockabilly culture, but we’ve never been able to afford much by way of a hot car or killer wardrobe.”

“I find too much of that stuff onstage can cause the music to suffer, anyways,” he continues. “I guess we’re being true to our blue-collar roots, because we don’t have much of a look. The Smokin’ 45s are all about the music, too. Four or five years ago, they were still pulling off 200 shows a year. We may have 1,000 gigs under our belts, but as warriors we also know when it’s time to tap out.”

So, what would Allen do if he does retire the band?

“More recently, I’ve been dreaming up a sequel to TLC’s reality show, Say Yes to the Dress,” he says. “It’s called Don’t Take a Chance with My Pants, and it involves a number of hidden cameras. I’ll keep you posted.”