Photo By Sgt. Kenneth Tucceri | Buford T. Ogletree, Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-DeVilles, hoists his upright bass on...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Choosing the island’s most delicious ribs came as easy as taking a breath for many Guantanamo Bay residents. However, for members of rockabilly bands, Beau and The Burners, The Mikey Clams Band, and Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-DeVilles, getting their taste buds to agree on the top ribs proved to be a challenge. Nevertheless, they always see eye to eye on one thing: music. On Saturday these rockabilly bands came together at GTMO’s Tiki Bar to celebrate Labor Day weekend by sharing their gift of music.
Rockabilly formed and hit main stream audiences in the 1950s with a unique fusion of country, rock ‘n’ roll, and rhythm and blues. It is not the rock that everyone knows today, but that doesn’t stop western-rockabilly musician Mikey Clams from living like the rock star that he has always been.
“It’s a mentality really,” said Clams. “I knew at an early age that this style of music was my thing, I really liked it. It’s cars, clothes, it’s a specific type of music.”
For Rod Walt of the Psycho-DeVilles, the aspect of cars is the highlight of rockabilly.
“I have a huge collection of Hot Rod cars. I’ve always liked old cars, pre ‘60s. It meant a lot for me to have a car that I built myself at 17,” said Walt.
Walt has a great love for cars, but music is his passion.
“I always did both,” said Walt, “but I’d rather play music than do anything.”
When an unfamiliar artist is described by being placed in a genre of music such as alternative, metal, hip-hop and even classical, they are immediately understood. In contrast to today’s dominant music scene, rockabilly is a style that is foreign to many and mistaken for something it is.
“I’ve never heard anything from these types of bands, but my son is really excited about it. It goes to show that good music reaches everyone and breaks any culture barriers,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jeramie Johnson.
Rockabilly musicians are aware of music lovers’ shallow knowledge when it comes to rockabilly, but see it as a reason to continue sharing their music. The lead singer and guitarist of Beau and the Burners feels that rockabilly is a type of music that will last forever.
“It’s not the most popular music in the world, but it’s still hanging in there, and it will always be around,” said Beau Knott. “A lot of people think of it as oldies music, but I kind of see it as universal music.”
The rockabilly concert attracted an audience diverse in culture and closed generation gaps, confirming Knott’s thoughts. This weekend was Knott’s first trip to GTMO, but Clams is no stranger to the island. Clams loves the energy of GTMO and hopes to enjoy it for years to come.
“This is my fourth time here,” said Clams. “I just keep coming back because it’s fun!”
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2014 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 141477 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Rockabilly bands perform at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, by SPC Nancy Mizzell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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