The “Godfather” of the modern psychobilly/ rockabilly genre, “Reverend Horton Heat,” lit up the OKC Farmer’s Market on April 16, 2016 with openers (and OKC locals) “The Oh Johnny! Girls.”
Reverend Horton Heat started out in 1985 in the Deep Ellum of Dallas, Texas. Mixing elements of punk, big band, jazz/ swing, surf and country to form a super genre, donned “punkabilly.” Currently made up of members Jim “Rev Horton” Heath (guitar, vocals), Jimbo Wallace (upright bass) and Scott Churilla (drums). The band has been featured in countless TV shows, commercials, video games, cartoons and movies.
While this particular Friday evening in downtown OKC, the guys had a bit of a rough start due to sound difficulties, in the defense of the band, sound guys, stage/ production crew & everyone else involved with the show, I’m not sure a “good” sound can be produced in that particular building, but where the venue lacked in sound and lighting, it made up for in atmosphere. Reminiscent of what I believe a 1950’s prom would’ve looked like, it most definitely added to that old school swing vibe. The acoustics and lighting of that old style gymnasium, however, proves to be from the 1950’s era, as well. The Rev, in true professional fashion, fought right through the difficulties at one point noting, “When you’re in the studio, it’s all about making it sound ‘good’. When you’re playing live, it’s all about making sure it doesn’t suck!”
Reverend Horton Heat – Let Me Teach You How To Eat
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In that notorious “Rev” style, dressed to the nines in black and red (with matching red suede shoes), the energetic trio was able to find that sweet spot and ignited the crowd with some of their best known songs. With driving beats, sometimes humorous, but always well written lyrics and a loud punk influence. “Let Me Teach You How to Eat,” searing through the set list as well as the ever popular “Psychobilly Freakout.” “The Rev” displayed his acrobatic skills by climbing on top of Jimbo’s bass and playing a bit of a guitar solo. The pair switched instruments for (a personal highlight) “Little Queenie,” with Rev playing Jimbo’s upright bass and Jimbo slaying Rev’s guitar.
Next, The Rev told a story about starting out in music and having to play high school dances. He describes, “we, of course, wanted to ‘rock out’ every show- but the cheerleaders would come up to us and say, ‘Can you play Ready for Love by Bad Company?’ – and, of course, we would play it because guess who were in all those committees that decided who played the gigs?….The Cheerleaders. ” He goes on, “but when the cheerleaders would walk away, we were like: ‘we just talked to cheerleaders!!!’ He then concludes with a moral, “So we learned early on about doing what you gotta do!” The band then smoldered into one of their only “slow” songs, “It’s A Dark Day.”
This trio always brings a contagious energy and possess a stage presence and charisma like few others. Always a blast to watch!
So, go, cats, go! Check the schedule here and catch Reverend Horton Heat as they blaze through your area! Meanwhile,  get your hands on some sweet RHH swag here or connect with the band below!
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