Zombies, hot rods, partying and porn
Just in time for summer, I got my hands on a new copy of "Phantom 224" from local rockabilly band RumbleDaddy.
It's the perfect music for rolling down the windows and cruising through the night. The album is original music written by Steve Trent (guitar/vocals) and Fred Purnell (bass/vocals) that is light-hearted, goofy and great for partying.
The album's namesake, "Phantom 224" is about a zombie hot-rodder who is out to harass travelers with his haunting story.
"He wants to hitch a ride and tell you of that fatal crash, his hopped up hot rod suicide," Trent sings. It's a somber first track, but fits in with RumbleDaddy's goofy and off-topic story lines.
"Pukin' in the Parkin' Lot" is a feel good song about not feeling so good. Here's how the song starts:
"Well you were bloody and muddy, pukin' in the parkin' lot just trying to find keys to your car./You said some chick was giving you shit so you bashed her fucking head in the bar./You said we had to leave before the cops got there, as you tried to wipe the puke off your chin. I got some gas in my car and a case of PBR. Pull up your pants and get it."
The album is like reading Texts From Last Night. Fun to hear about, but you're glad it didn't happen to you.
Oh, and "Pukin' in the Parkin' Lot" isn't vulgar. "Poor White Tattooed Redneck Psycho Hillbilly Biker Trailer Trash is." (You know I have to quote it now, right?)
"I don't know what you may have heard; I don't have a fuckin' mullet or like 'Freebird.'/ Don't got much money but I work real hard. It's my damn business if I piss in my yard./ Talkin' on the phone while I'm taking a shit, drinking PBR by the fire pit./ Broken down cars 'round my mobile home. My iron head Harleys covered in chrome."
And of course, there's the band's single, "The Truck Stop Porn Shop." At their live shows, they joke it's liked by "dozens of people."
The song details a visit to a truck stop that features host of sinful items, from gluttonous food to drugs to sex toys. "This place is like a white trash mall," Trent sings.
But it's not just silly lyrics that make "Phantom 224" a good listen, it's the guys' musicality. They can really play.
The live shows of RumbleDaddy are punctuated by the sense of humor showcased in their songwriting. It's easy to spend the night laughing and dancing to the music, but it's really the talent of the musicians that make the shows worthwhile.
Whether it's the wicked slap bass playing of Purnell or his rockabilly cello playing, punk rock screams or washtub bass, Purnell puts on a good show. And that's equal to the guitar riffs that Trent plays that turn heads and drop jaws. It's not uncommon to see some of the area's best guitarists drop in at RumbleDaddy shows and nod in approval to Trent's playing.
"Phantom 224" is a clean recording by new drummer Jef Williams at Nocebo Recording in Akron that features some favorites from their first 17-song album, "Truckstop Pornshop," including "14 Days." But unlike that album, which accented a mastery of covering songs in a rockabilly style, "Phantom 224" is a rocking array of rockabilly tunes that aren't short on great songwriting and performances.
The album came out in the winter, but "Phantom 224" will be my summer album of choice.
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