The Heiz – Quint and the Cowboy Calamity – Holly Smokes – Yeller Bellies – at The Double Down Saloon – Las Vegas, NV

Friday nights at The Double Down are very cool. They broadcast their live radio show, with D.J. STARR and TURBO From The Vermin. When I arrived the place was packed, more so than usual at 9:00 p.m. Turbo was interviewing The Heiz pronounced "The Haze" So I clicked off a few photos from the interview. The radio show ended around 10:00 p.m. and the first band originally scheduled to play had to cancel because the drummer broke his ankle I believe.





So first up was Quint and The Cowpunk Calamity. I am really getting into the Psychobilly-Rockabilly bands. These guys were no exception, they kicked ass, I love the stand up bass sound they have. Also very cool was the slide guitar, Incredible sound. Not only did the slide guitar player slam out on the slide he set that aside and picked up the good ol' electric guitar. This band was very good. A great    way to get the crowd going for an exciting night of PSYCHOBILLY, ROCKABILLY MUSIC.

Up 2nd was another local band called THE HOLY SMOKES!! What set this band apart from others was they had a Harmonica player, He jammed !! No stand up bass for these guys but their sound was just as good. They also got the crowd going smoking through their 30-40 minute set. So far the night is living up to the Psychobilly sound, and excitement. The whole place was having a great time with these bands. How could you not? These guys lived up to their namesake HOLY SMOKES. Check’em if you get the chance.

3rd up was YELLER BELLIES another band from local LAS VEGAS. Stay off of the strip and hit the places Like THE DOUBLE DOWN, always incredible bands and music. The Bellies had the stand up bass. I am Beginning to really love that instrument. Along with that was the a Mandolin, and after that came a washboard, then a frying pan. This band had it all! They too just rocked song after song. They had the crowd dancing and hooting and hollering, This night was getting better as it progressed. And after Yeller Bellies it was to get even better.

By now it was around 3:00 a.m. or so, and now The band that totally just blew me away!!!!! "THE HEIZ" from Japan. To look at them you would think what is this band doing here on this bill? But WOW !!!!  this band which consists of SHAKU KEIJI on lead guitar and vocals, WATANABE ASAKO  on bass and vocals, KIMURA TAKASHI  on drums and vocals.

I can't even describe the feeling I felt when they started playing. Everything from Johnny B. Goode to Elvis covers, they are a cover band doing 50's 60's rock and roll. by the end of their 40 minute or so set the crowd was wanting more. so we all kept yelling one more over and over, the obliged with an awesome Gene Vincent cover. And again after they finished that one all you heard was the chant one more one more, so Shaku looked at the stage guy and he told them "GET TO PLAYIN"  And what a better way to end a show they went into "ROCK AND ROLL RADIO" BY THE RAMONES !!!!

I can't say enough good things about this band, they were just INCREDIBLY AWESOME !!!  They are on tour now, I can't express enough that if they are in your town GO SEE THEM YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED. Everything from Chuck Berry to The Ramones. What else could you want. Very talented musicians as well as great showmanship.

 

 

Bob Mandoki
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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