With "Dance Embargo," JOHNNY ROCKET will release their new album on July 30, 2010.
As the name suggests, the album offers a solid dose of danceable punk-a-billy. Even though some may stop reading now because they can't stand the whole -A-Billy thing anymore, give the band a chance if you don't know them yet.
The band does their job damn well.
The opener "Fuck the Scene" is not only a solid hit that makes you pause for more than just a moment, it also clearly states what the band thinks of (narrow-minded) scenes. In particular, the Billy scene is not known for being the most open-minded community when it comes to the soundtrack of life. Many are purists, many have their favorite bands with which they can be happy for a lifetime, and many struggle with new influences. That's a shame because not only can you come off as a square, but you also miss out on a lot of fun. This is something JOHNNY ROCKET spreads. Musically, they are in the realm of psychobilly with almost every song, at least in the broadest sense. It's poppier psychobilly, and sometimes I think I only call this the basis of the sound because there's a double bass involved. So be it. Depending on the song, a decent portion of dirty rock 'n' roll, blues, country, punk, and sweaty Southern sound joins in. The band manages to combine these many styles variably in their songs, resulting in a diverse, captivating record that you want to listen to over and over again.
In terms of sound, the band is somewhere between The Creepshow, Heartbreak Engines, The Bones, and Peacocks. Good cocktails need good ingredients, and JOHNNY ROCKET has those, along with a great shaker that consistently brings the ingredients together deliciously.
