It’s the second week in March and so the psychobilly hordes of Europe and, indeed, beyond converge on what has become the UK’s psychobilly Mecca, the Bedlam Breakout festival at the Roadmender in Northampton. A three-day marathon of the finest bands that the genre has to offer from the UK, Europe and the United States of America.

The Friday night slot has become, in recent years something of a neo-rockabilly night and so what better way to open proceedings with the Hitmen, a band that is playing only its third gig. It helps, immeasurably, however, when the band is led by former Knocksville frontman Martin Riddington. Looking very much like an ‘Ain’t No Pleasin You’ era Dave Peacock, of Chas and Dave, Martin is a very fine songwriter, guitarist and frontman who leads his troops through an excellent set of largely self-penned neo-rockabilly gems. Indeed, there are just a couple of cover versions in the set, both Chuck Berry numbers, with the band closing its set with Johnny B. Good because, according to Martin, the band had run out of songs to play. This has been a super set from a band that is still in. its infancy. I have no doubt at all that the band’s future is a very bright one indeed and I look forward to watching the band flourish. This has been an excellent start.

The second band to grace the stage was somewhat ironically, once the rhythm section of Knocksville. Featuring the powerhouse drumming of virtuoso pots and pans-thumper Chris Cooper and on vocals and guitar, one time slap bass player for Knocksville and Jack Rabbit Slim Nico Sc’Erri. If you have heard any of the band’s recorded material you will know that these two create an immense sound that is perhaps best described as garage with infusions of punk, metal and grunge. The question is, however, whether or not, the band is able to recreate their immense studio sound to a live setting? The answer is an emphatic ‘yes’. I think that it is fair to say, that this is not psychobilly, but the band still manages to go down an absolute storm with the punters who just appreciate fine music.

Band three of the evening, was a new one to me, the Helltown Sinners. I think it fair to say that this was a group of middle-aged men. As such, they perhaps lacked some of the punch of the more youthful bands on show tonight. But what they lacked in dynamism hey made up for with technical prowess. The frontman and guitarist certainly had some chops and the band’s original material was strong.

Next to the stage were the Gamma Rayz, a band fronted by the legendary singer of Skitzo, Phil Connor, and featuring Skitzo Joel, it is well over a decade since this pair last graced the Bedlam stage. Tonight, the band was reliant on drum dep extraordinaire Paul Mummery. The line-up was completed by Phil McDermott on guitar. This was the first time that I had seen the band play and I shall be frank, I loved them. The overall sound is pretty dark and is immediately reminiscent, perhaps not surprisingly, of Skitzo. Playing a set, I believe, of entirely self-penned songs this was a very impressive set and I can’t wait to hear more, be it live or recorded material – we have waited too long.

The headline act was Neo-rockabilly royalty, the Blue Cats. Opening with ‘Who Stole My Blue Suede Shoes’ and including such classics as ‘Off My Mind’, ‘The Tunnel’, ‘Billy Ruffians’ and ‘Norton Spirit’ the band illustrate with consummate ease why they are so revered. The positively angelic dulcet tones of Clint Bradley are supported by the formidable rhythm section of Steve Whitehouse the slap bass supremo and Stef Edwards on drums and the man who has the mammoth task of filling in for Carlo Edwards, Mr. Paul Gaskin on guitar. I make no apology for saying once again what a terrific job Mr. Gaskin does in depping for who is probably, the most innovative guitarist ever to grace the scene. This was tight, impassioned, and relentless – an absolutely perfect set and a tremendous way to round off the first evening. In fact, there was a band playing afterwards in the Bear, but unfortunately, as I have advanced in years the call of my scratcher has become increasingly difficult to resist, and so I did not frequent the Bear on any of the three nights.

Day Two of the festival got off to a rather splendid start thanks to a band that I was hitherto completely unaware of. Clad identically in black trousers, white short-sleeved shirts, black ties and 1950s style glasses, the best description of the band that I could summon up was Rocket From The Crypt, meets the Boss Martians, meets Gary Numan. In any case they were rather good, and I urge you to check them out if you haven’t already done so.

The Cain Pit, hailing from Norwich, were next to the stage. I have had the pleasure of seeing them play once before, at last year’s Psychobilly Freakout where thy left a positive impression upon me. Vocalist and bassist Daniel Blyth has grown and fashioned his hair into a psychobilly style quiff since the last time that I saw the band, though perhaps, previously, it was just obscured by a baseball cap. The band also has an acoustic rhythm guitar, a lead guitar and drummer. This instrumentation sheds some light onto the band’s sound which is appropriately described as ‘punkgrass’. If you were to blend the Del McCoury band with Green Day you would be in the right ball-park. I bought two EPs from the band, Joy and Sorrow, on the strength of their performance, they haven’t disappointed.

Gun Saloon Especial were the next offering. Unfortunately, they weren’t really my cup of cha. I’m not quite sure what the problem was, but try as I did, they really didn’t float my boat, and I believe in calling it as I see it.

The Neutronz were next. I have seen this band play several times before and on each occasion they have played a lot of covers, albeit very well. To their enormous credit, this time, the band’s set revolved around original material. Moreover, they have got plenty to choose from as they have recorded three albums and they are really good. The guitarist and singer is a terrific musician from the Mark Harman school of guitar with a lovely telecaster tone. The band’s rhythm section is also rock solid. All in all this was a top performance from an excellent band.

Talking of excellent bands, no-one who has seen the Scarecrows AKA over the past couple of years could doubt that this extraordinary ensemble of hessian sack-wearing loonies really are top-drawer. From the two drummers in the centre of the stage to the cigar-box guitar this is a band full of quirks but they work remarkably well. They create quite a wall of sound too with the harmonica adding a further dimension. With songs such as ‘Empty My Sack’ how could this mob possibly go wrong. Of course, they don’t as the audience absolutely heaving, packed to the gills, positively lap up all that they have to offer.

After the break it was time for one of the best bands to appear on the scene in quite some time: Jack Elfick’s Dead Shout. Mr Elfick has quite a unique and striking appearance with his slicked-back hair, thick-rimmed glasses and moustache. But, what is clear is that he knows how to wield a guitar. Ably supported by former Klingonz and Demented bass player Darren ‘Eddie’ Edwards and Gary Voodoo of the Urban Voodoo Machine of drums this is a highly polished and professional combo. Despite the band’s relative newness, they already have a fine selection of self-penned material including ‘Just You Wait’, ‘Jump Your Bones’ and ‘Wanted Maniac’, as well as one or two well-chosen covers such as their imperious rendition of the Beatles ‘I, Me, Mine’. All of the songs are delivered with a real, raucous panache, with virtuoso playing of the guitar. This band definitely earns my seal of approval, they are utterly splendid.

They say that good things come in threes, and so it is that the third in this particular triumvirate of superb bands happens to be the wonderful Zipheads who are playing what happens to be their sixth Bedlam Breakout. Following on from the release of their superb album Rock and Roll Renaissance last year, this is a band absolutely at the top of its game. With new songs, ‘Everybody Knows’, ‘Incestuous’, and ‘How Do You Like Me Now?’ sitting comfortably alongside old classics such as ‘Dinosaur Rock’, and ‘Promised Land’, this is a band that to my mind can do no wrong. They have in Ray Waters a frontman, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist of the highest order, matched by the superb rhythm section of Dick Dynamite on bass and Will Bennett on drums. This lot really are the bees’ knees.

Hot on the heels of the Zipheads were Sheffield’s finest the Epileptic Hillbillys. These guys have been sorely missed in recent years. But, despite their relatively low-profile, this is a band that always delivers fun-filled, old school, psychobilly. Classics including, ‘I’m The Wolfman’, ‘Stranglehold’, ‘Boom’, ‘Hillbilly Stomp’ and ‘Gonna Find A Way’ all go down tremendously well with the crowd which is absolutely heaving. There is a universal feeling of well-being whenever this band plays and this is very much in evidence tonight.

Talking of a feeling of well-being and smiling faces, this is exactly what you get when the south coast maestros the Long Tall Texans take to the stage. Mark Carew’s shirt stays on for just one song tonight and he seems a little bit bonkers as well as being his usual smiling ball of energy. Laurence Hawkins in the perfect foil to mad Mark, being the ever dependable and frankly very good guitarist. The band puts in an absolutely top-drawer performance that sees them perform the highlights from across their five-decade career. ‘Poison’, ‘Girlfriend’, ‘Get Back Wetback’, and ‘What Part Of Fuck Off Don’t You Understand’ all see the audience singing along. This has been a fantastic set.

To the final band of Day Two, and it is those Dutch Psychobilly legends Batmobile. I think that it is fair to say that the band positively explodes into its set and does not take its foot off the gas pedal for the duration of its incendiary set. Jeroen Hammers is a very compelling frontman and a fine guitarist to boot. Brother Eric on bass and Johnny Zuidhof provide a rock-solid platform for the guitar histrionics of Jeroen. This is a killer set containing the absolutely indispensable ‘Transylvanian Express’, ‘Shoot Shoot’ and ‘Calamity Man’ as well as material from the bands most recent album Back From Tremor. That the band continues to release material of such high quality is something of a marvel. This really has been one hell of a day of fantastic music.

Day Three begins and I am pleased to say that there is rather more than the usual hard core is attendance for the first band on at 1pm. This maybe that the inveterate drinkers are more able to cope with their hangovers after years of experience, perhaps some have become abstemious, or perhaps they just want to see the first act on. It may well be the latter because the Bitter Lemons are a rather fine act. There are definite garage trappings to their sound, but also quite a soulful dimension. In Hayley the band has a wonderful front woman who not only has a terrific voice but is also a veritable burst of energy and a breath of fresh air. The band’s guitarist is also well worthy of a mention for his sharp and incisive playing. They were really very good indeed and I encourage you to check them out if you haven’t already done so.

I’ll jump in for Planet Strange as Nick was off having a cup of tea and thinking scholarly thoughts elsewhere for their set! Planet Strange only get stronger every time they play, with their spooky, primitive take on psychobilly chilling spines and shredding eardrums at maximum volume. Their new track ‘The Devil’s Tool’ promises that their Hammer Horror sound that dominated their album will only continue to gather more fans over the course of this year! – Kate

Planet Strange were followed by a young German neo-rockabilly band called the Rockin’ Batz whom I really quite enjoyed. It was then the turn of a personal favourite of mine, The Deathcaps. From first note to last this was an exceptionally accomplished set. ‘Cheap Motel’ and ‘Venus Fly-Trap’ stand out as perhaps the two best songs, but it really is rather like cherry-picking from a plate of cherries. Drummer Tom Hamer is a positive force of nature on the pots and pans, bassist Adrienne doesn’t miss a beat and head honcho Stu is perfectly sublime in his vulgarity as well as being an accomplished axe-wielder. It will be interesting to see what the band does next, I hope that they don’t leave it too long before returning to the studio; there is much merit in striking while the iron is this blisteringly hot.

The Surfin Wombatz celebrating their 40^th year are evidently here to party. Playing an assortment off tracks from their debut album Lager Louts alongside modern-day classics such as ‘Bank Holiday Punch Up On the Planet of the Apes’ the band displays an enormous and infectious sense of fun. I would challenge anyone not to crack a smile at some point during their set. Here’s to another 40 years.

The Memphis Morticians, hailing from the USA, were something of an unknown quantity for me. I’m delighted to say that they came up smelling of roses. Having a sound that combines elements of The Cramps with the Dead Kennedys ensured that the band was drawing on rich musical heritage. All of their material was well-executed and delivered at a good pace. They certainly impressed me, I bought a cd on the strength of their performance and I look forward to seeing them again, hopefully, soon.

The Klingonz, are something of a Marmite band. I am pleased to say that since first seeing the band in 1990, I have experienced something of a Damascene conversion and have come to rather enjoy the band. Yes, they are punky and a little bit heavier than I usually like my psychobilly, but they are full of fun and musically quite accomplished. Whether it is playing covers such as ‘Too Drunk To Fuck’ or ‘How Long You Wanna Live Anyway?’ or originals such as ‘Destructabotz’ you can be guaranteed of intensity and passion. The throng at the front of the stage suggests that my opinion was shared by a significant portion of the assembled.

Bal Stingray and the Goo Goo Mucks have enjoyed much adulation since their return to the live arena a couple of years ago having been missing in action for the best past of the intervening forty years since their 80’s heyday. Bal appeared on the stage wearing a gold lame Elvis Presley-style jacket which remained on for several songs before being removed to reveal a figure-hugging black lacy blouse that rather looked like it might be his wife’s negligee.  Fashion faux-pas aside the band made its way through a set full of Stingrays’ classics including ‘Dinosaurs’ and ‘Escalators’ as well as songs of which the band had been fans. This was a very accomplished set from a band that is evidently enjoying a second wind.

Which, of course, leaves just the headline act, and it is a favourite of mine: Restless. Opening their set with the marvellous ‘It’s A Scam’ before launching into ‘My Baby Is a Hot-rod’ it is evident from the first few notes that we are in the company of genuine musical geniuses. Yes, we all know that Mark Harman is one of the most phenomenal guitarists ever to pick up a six string, but the same goes for his brother Paul and drummer Ben Cooper for their respective instruments. As one might expect, ‘Sixteen Tons’, ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’, and ‘Edge on You’ are all delivered impeccably as are ‘Yellow Cab To Midnight’, ‘Ice Cold’, and “Long Black Shiny Car’. This is a set that effortlessly rolls away the years and does much to confirm Restless’ fully justified position at the summit of this rather peculiar genre of ours. But more than that, I defy anyone who is a fan of any musical genre not to appreciate the brilliance of this band. They are quite remarkable and as they conclude their set with a stellar rendition of ‘Rock and Roll Train’ that provides a wonderful ending to what has been one of the best Bedlams that I can remember.

A massive thank you goes to Tobe and all of the Bedlam team for all of their incredibly hard work in compiling and putting on one of the best psychobilly festivals in the world. If you are curious and haven’t been before I urge you, without hesitation, to book up for the next one, and, if you are a regular, I look forward to seeing you at next year’s event.

Nick Kemp

Read Nick’s reviews of past Bedlam Breakouts in his ‘Rockin Writing’ series of books.