Tucked away just off a residential street and being actually adjacent to the beach is the HiTide centre that boasts an amusement arcade, bowling lanes as well as a pub and the function room where the rockabilly fair takes place as well as an anteroom where one could buy rockabilly clothing, cds and vinyl. This was only my second time at this super event, but it did seem to have fewer punters than last year which might have been something to do with the fact that its position, later on, in the rockabilly calendar meant that it was on the same weekend as the Rhythm Riot. Having said this, the turnout on Saturday night was a very healthy one.

To the first band of the evening, Dan Clark’s the Kingshakes. I remember being very pleasantly surprised by this band when I saw them at the Psychobilly Freakout festival in New Cross a couple of years ago. The same was true on this occasion, but for a different reason. The band is very capable musically and is quite diverse in its musical knowledge. We were treated to a set of covers, the majority of which were not, bravely, rockabilly. We were treated to the likes of Electric Six’s ‘Gay Bar’, the Rivieras’ ‘California Sun’, Toots and the Maytals’ ‘Monkey Man’, then taking a page from the Long Tall Texans’ cover book the band covers both ’Breakaway’, and ‘Border Radio’. ‘Long Black Shiny Car’ was included for the die-hard, ‘it’s only good if it’s rockabilly’ hard core. Though it must be said that I have seldom if ever seen a band cover so many non-rockabilly songs in a rockin’ fashion so well and to such universal acclaim. Versions of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Green River’, the Toy Dolls ‘Nellie the Elephant’, and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’, all helped to contribute to a crowd-pleasing party atmosphere. As an opening act they were really, quite brilliant.

Red Hot Riot, from the Forest of Dean, I have seen quite a bit over the past few years. I was delighted when I saw that Dan was back on the drum stool because with the cohesive glue that he brought enabled the band to really rediscover its mojo. Added to this, a young chap on piano by the name of Charlie Wilson who resembles a very young incarnation of Mr Sharofsky from Fame, and you have what is close to being the quintessential party band. Opening with ‘In This Together’ followed by my favourite song of theirs, ‘The Mask’ that has a superb groove. The band really hit the stage running mixing in a healthy dose of cover versions, including Ronnie Dawson’s ‘Up Jumped the Devil’ which is driven along by Scott’s relentless slapping and has a false ending. Also on the set list were Johnny Burnette’s, ‘Honey Hush’, the band’s own ‘Peggy’, Eddie Cochran’s ‘Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie’, Johnny Powers’ ‘Long Blond Hair’, and then back to the originals with the splendid jiver, ‘Lady of the Night’ which is really made by the keys of Charlie Wilson. Moon Mullican’s ‘Seven Nights of Rock’ is belted out with real aplomb. ‘Tainted Love’ also rocks, replete with its Freddie Mercury style sing-along section. Slim Harpo’s ‘Shake Your Hips’ benefits greatly from the superb, controlled dynamics. ‘Rock This Town’ is positively imperious. There is, of course, an encore during which the band plays ‘Old Black Joe’ a very adroit decision, bearing in mind that we are in Cavan country. It is a superb set which concludes with the audience singing along and wrecking.

The final band on the Friday evening was the Wolftones. Playing a very bluesy blend of rockabilly, the band puts on a terrific set, in spite of technical difficulties that led to the first few songs being blighted by feedback. The band is to be commended for soldiering on and pulling off a great set choc-a-bloc with originals.

First band on the Saturday was the Copy Kats. Essentially the band is a Stray Cat tribute band. So, we are treated to impeccable renditions of ‘Rumble In Brighton’. ‘Runaway Boys’, ‘Rock This Town’, ‘Too Hip Gotta Go’, but also some three original songs that blend perfectly with the Cats’ material. If you haven’t already seen the Copy Kats live, urge you to do so, they are terrific musicians who appear to enjoy what they are doing as much as the punters.

Next up was the James Oliver Band, whom I confess that I was unaware of prior to this event. Wow! I was absolutely blown away by this gentleman’s guitar playing skills. He has a decent set of pipes on him too, but he really is quite an extraordinary guitarist. He also has plenty of charisma on stage coming from the John Lewis’ school of onstage witticism. Every song that he played was an absolute joy and I can’t recommend him highly enough. The presence of Tony Biggs on bass and Mark Kemlo on drums ought to have raised my expectations, but this really was quite exceptional.

Russ Be-Bop and the Roadrunnerz put on a good show of neo-rockabilly and seemed to really enjoy what they were doing. They were not quite in the same category of musical virtuosity as the band that preceded them but, they were good. The next band, I had not heard of before though I had seen the main-man Rob Davies depping for the Graveyard Johnnys some 15 years ago. Moreover, I learnt that he was once the guitarist from Cavan Grogan’s  brother’s band Breathless. Making the Cavan connection even stronger was the presence on double bass of one Joe Grogan. Rounding out the band was one of the stars from the Friday night, Charlie Wilson on the piano. The band conjures up a wonderful musical stew that is equal parts rockabilly and Quo with just a few hints of ska thrown in. This sure if a tasty mix, Hank Williams’ ‘My Buckets Got a Hole In It’, Johnny Burnette ‘Baby Blue Eyes’, and the Cavan favourite ‘Tennessee Border’. All positively shine. ‘No More’ grooves like nobody’s business as does Chuck Berry’s ‘The Promised Land’. This was an absolutely, killer set that I enjoyed immensely.

Closing the show on the Saturday night were, all the way from France, Barney and the Rhythm All Stars. Playing a largely self-penned set, the band hand a good groove and served up their own brand of Eurobilly to a very receptive crowd.

Opening up proceedings on the final day, were a terrific rockabilly band that played principally covers but did them very well by the name of Ignition. The same was true of the Vipers. Which left the penultimate act of the festival and the band that I had looked forward to seeing most Jane Rose and the Deadends. The band hails from Nashville and for those of you not familiar with them they are fronted by the larger-than-life Ms. Rose replete with her white Gretsch and pink hair. What a terrific voice this lady has, it’s perfect for country and rockabilly, but it also has a tremendous soulful quality to it. Kicking off with ‘Freight Train Boogie’ Ms. Rose displays hints of Imelda May. The band plays plenty of original material drawn from across its five-album discography. They also play a handful of  choice covers including: Billy Lee Riley’s ‘Flying Saucers Rock and Roll’ as well as a rather nice version of the Stray Cats ’18 Miles to Memphis’ sung by the band’s, very good, guitarist. Eddie Cochran’s ‘My Way’ and Johnny Burnette’s ‘All By My Self’ are both given the Jane Rose treatment. This is a fantastic set by a rater fabulous band. I urge you all to go and see them play whenever you can and also buy their cds, I sincerely doubt that you will be disappointed.

To the headline act of the whole festival, the wonderful Sonny West and the Rhythm Kings. Clad spectacularly in a hot pink suit with the members of the band wearing all black with a matching hot pink tie, the band certainly make an eye-catching impression. Sonny is quite the maestro when it comes to twanging his beautiful Gretsch guitars married to this he has a very fine voice and plenty of charisma and stage presence. When you add to this his fine repertoire of largely self-penned material you can appreciate his billing. He opens the set with ‘Darlene’ which has a sort of Little Richard flavour to it. ‘Big Bad Rhythm’ is a splendid number as is ‘The Clock’. ‘Diamond Tooth’ has a sort of western feel to it, ‘Feel the Heat’ is rockabilly. Sonny asks the crowd do you want an old one, to which the reply is ‘we are the old ones’, a perfect rendition of ‘Relentless’ is then dispatched. ‘Do the Shuffle’ is ideal for the strollers. Del Shannon’s ‘Runaway’ is the first cover of the set, it is rendered quite delightfully and is followed by the Elvis number from Viva Las Vegas, ‘Come on Everybody’ which is a staple of Sonny’s live set and is one of my favourite songs. ‘Gin Soaked Floor’ and ‘On Fire’ follow, this is a performance of the highest order from one of the most talented performers on the scene.

I have subsequently learned that this is to be the last Welsh Rockabilly Fair. This is such a shame because ‘the Welsh’ was a terrific festival with a great laid-back feel, it was a privilege to report on the last two festivals and I shall miss this last hurrah of the summer festival season. My thanks go to the DJs Simon Flintstone, Simon Moon and Andy Roadolier and to all involved in the organising of the festival, not least Kevin Red Ramsey.

Nick Kemp