We’re loving the Hitmen, so naturally we had to take a listen to their debut EP AND have a chat with them! Enjoy!

The Hitmen, a rockabilly band, is the brainchild of Martin Riddington who was, of course the driving, creative force of the superb psychobilly band Knocksville. I am delighted to say that, on the basis of this EP, that this, his new venture, is similarly excellent.

‘Devil In a Long Black Dress’ begins with a bluesy shuffle played on the guitar with drums provided by Carl Martin and then double bass played by Billy Ray Wilkes. To this shuffle Martin adds his wonderful vocals. The intro section lasts for about one minute forty before the song explodes and then reverts to the bluesiness of the intro. This pattern is repeated and is sublimely effective.

‘Dreamstate’ has a very cool bluesy intro and a superb vocal. The sound of Carl’s snare is quite immense. The bluesiness of the song is enhanced by screaming sax. The quality of Martin’s vocal performance, however, is the standout feature of this track.

‘That’s All’ starts with guitar and drums before we are up and running with a cool rockabilly groove that is equal parts the Zipheads and Restless, it is an absolute gem with a very tasty Harmanesque guitar solo.

‘Should’ve Stayed in Bed’ is another up tempo thunderous slice of rockabilly that has a very live feel to it.

Mr. Riddington is a genius song writer whose talents are rather enviable when it comes to his prowess as a guitarist and his voice, that is equal to any on the scene. As the first taster of his new band, The Hitmen, the future looks very bright indeed. This is exceptionally good stuff.

Nick Kemp

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The Hitmen seem to have come out of nowhere with all the hype and expectations that are swamping social media pages at the moment. The truth is that they are no strangers to the scene. They have very established family roots that have already produced a vibrant crop and now these offshoots are blooming as a consequence! Read all about their background and influences in this exclusive interview for Rip It Up magazine with all the band members, before their exciting debut gig on the 6th September and then earning loads of kudos (that many established bands could only dream of) supporting the mighty Wolf, Chris Moinichen, of The Delta Bombers!

Who’s in [band] and what are your roles?

Martin Edward Riddington – guitarist, vocals, songwriter.

Billy Wilkes – double bass, backing vocals songwriter 

Carl (Carlos) Martin – Drummer/Songwriter.

What’s your ‘origin story’?

Martin : I’ve known Billy all my life as our dads used to be in The Riverboys back in the 80’s and Carl & I met as youngsters on the rockabilly scene. The band began after my old band broke up. And after a year or so of not playing and writing, me and Billy decided it was time to form a new band. Carl was our first and only choice. Apart from knowing him, we loved his style of drumming.

Billy : Like Martin has mentioned we have known each other all our lives with our dad’s being the backbone of The Riverboys meet Carl a few times back in the day at gigs and events and after a fair bit of time off me and Martin decided to get The Hitmen going and Carl being the perfect choice as his playing style and attitude was the last piece to the puzzle we needed. 

Carlos : I’ve known Martin since 2003 when we was young teens on “The Rockin Scene” & we’ve been friends ever since. Myself & Billy knew each other, but only spoke here & there at gigs/events. Martin rung me near the end of February to say he was starting a new band along with Billy. I immediately said yes, considering the history of friendship & respect. But not only for brotherhood, but the insane talent!.

Which bands / artists are your biggest influences?

Martin : Restless.

Billy : Restless

Carlos : Hank3/Mean Devils

Do you adapt your sound between shows/gigs?

Martin : We haven’t played a show yet but have our first show on 6^th September, but I can’t see us adapting our sound if I’m honest, I’m a big believer of sticking to our sound and getting bookings off the back of that!

Billy : Honestly I don’t think that’s something we would do as we’d like to be booked for how we sound naturally. 

Carlos : There might be an odd track, but we’d like to stick to what we’ve created.

How would you describe your sound?

Martin : Kind of 80’s neo influence, but still our own brand on it, a more modern neo sound but whilst staying true to the pioneers.

Billy : There’s definitely a Neo-Rock’a’Billy influence but I do believe we’ve put a new cutting edge to it while still keeping the essence of where our influences came from

Carlos : Neo Rockabilly with a modern attitude

What’s your favourite song to play live and why?

Martin : Hopefully all of them!

Billy : As we’re waiting for our first gig on the 6th of September I have yet to find that out but hopefully all of them .

Carlos : ‘Should of Stayed In Bed’….It was the first song we wrote/jammed in the space of 10 minutes.

What’s been the highlight of your music career so far?

Martin : So far it would be getting the EP done with the fantastic Jasper Lyons of Bad Habit Studios. And having incredible support already, so for that, we thank you.

Billy : Has to be our first proper rehearsal where everything just seems to click into place 

Carlos : Highlight so far would be recording our EP & making memories.

Have you faced any difficulties or setbacks in your music career so far? How have you overcome them?

Martin : Not yet, but hopefully we can avoid that. Being close friends, sorry, brothers, and learning from past mistakes, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

Billy : None as of yet but given that we are like family I highly doubt we’ll have any issues going forward. 

Carlos : Exactly as Martin said! We can smash anything that may come our way.

What’s coming up in the future for you?

Martin : Future looks bright, we have shows already booked with some great bands, continuing writing and doing our first album eventually!

Billy : We have some exciting gigs coming up this year and album ideas for next year and who knows as the hunt goes on to bring a new edge to rock’a’billy, maybe even a European tour. 

Carlos : We want to shake things up on the “Rockin Scene” & gig as much as we can. Our Debut is on the 6th September & with a few insane gigs to end the year.

Is there anything in particular you’d like me to mention?

Martin : I’d like to extend a massive thank you to Maniac Barbers for collaborating with us to bring out our own limited edition merch, hair pomade etc, watch this space.

Billy : I’d like to thank maniac barbers for there sponsorship and support with a collaboration coming out soon and a launch party in October date tbc 

Carlos : My Dad bought me my first drum kit at the age of 11. I was always out with my dad at gigs & events, surrounded by musicians who are still good friends to this day. So I knew what direction I wanted to be in. So I owe a big thanks to my dad for that. 

TELL ME ABOUT:

Your first EP…what was the process there?

Martin : The process of the EP, was really standard really, we wrote, practiced, booked it in, and recorded…but no, we wanted to have a live feel to it, so we didn’t record with a metronome, something that some artists may frown upon, but with the style of our music, we felt we wanted to capture the raw energy and it worked. 

Billy : As I normally record live it was a new experience for me doing track by track which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Carlos : I’ve got unwritten songs/lyrics from over the years. But I’m now in a great position to bring it to the table.

Favourite song of yours?

Martin : Favourite song in general or on the EP? I’ll do both, I’m really happy with all of our songs, but I suppose Dreamstate is my favourite as I pushed my (rusty) vocals and achieved what I needed, plus having Danny Mason in on the sax enhanced the song massively, so massive thank you to Danny for your help! And in general…Restless, haha. (I’m not obsessed, just a very big fan)

Billy : I always have a soft spot for ‘That’s All ‘

As after me, Martin & Martin Snr wrote that in his kitchen it drove us to get playing again .

Carlos : Tom Ingram (VLV) used to record tapes for my mum & dad, so two songs really stuck out for me…..Link Davis ‘Don’t Big Shot Me’ or Howie Strange – ‘Real Gone Daddy’

.Your sound! How would you describe it?

Martin : Just three friends, having fun playing rockabilly. With influence from the 80’s neo era, but a modern version.

Billy : A 80s Neo-Rock’a’Billy essence with a modern twist that will start a movement.

Carlos : I’d say our sound is more Neo Rockabilly with a modern twist. But we’d like toexplore & widen our sound.

Is there anyone you’d love to share a stage with, living or dead? Why?

Martin : Carl Perkins, 100%

Billy : Carl Perkins for the win !

Carlos : I’d love to share a stage with HANK 3!! I’m that much of a fan, I’ve even got a tattoo of him!!

Did you always know what kind of music you wanted to make, or did it come to you gradually?

Martin : Yeah I grew up with my dad playing rockabilly, so it’s in my DNA to follow suit, I was very lucky to have him teach me guitar, sing, and write songs. Even joined his band The Hustlers for lots of gigging experience. So I have an awful lot to thank him for. Cheers dad!

Billy : With my dad being the drummer of The Riverboys I grew up with Rock’a’billy coursing through my veins and always knew I wanted to play in a band one day .

Carlos : A big thanks goes to my mum & dad, otherwise I wouldn’t know the music I know today, but especially my dad who taught me everything I know. But a huge thanks goes out to my wife & kids who have been right behind me, i love you.

Are your lyrics in character or based on your life?

Martin : The lyrics I write are always autobiographical. Things I’ve lived through, going through, troubles etc. but I try to do them in a subtle way. Minus the odd one or two of course. ‘that’s all’ (verses written by my dad) is in no way about my life. First person to guess what it’s about wins a free EP and merch by the way!

Billy : To be honest almost all of my writing is based on life events and experiences, that’s all .

Carlos : I’d say the lyrics are based on past & present events or could be in character with certain songs. 

Was there a song or moment that made you fall in love with rockabilly?

Martin : Gene Vincent – Be bop a lula – 3 years old – there is video evidence somewhere…

Billy : Beat My Drum by Restless. After hearing that for the first time when I was younger I was fully hooked!

Nick Constantine

Get the details for their debut show right here