Dig It

Rockabilly. That word, if you’re even familiar with it, should conjure images of Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Bill Haley and His Comets. This music, which existed well before our parents’ time, is alive and well with a few bands carrying the torch to a new generation. The Quarter Mile Combo is one of them. The throwback to this nearly forgotten genre, “Motels Gas & Beer,” proves that it isn’t abandoned. If all rockabilly bands were as good as these guys, the genre possibly wouldn’t be endangered in the first place.

Just because they’re not in the spotlight doesn’t mean the Quarter Mile Combo isn’t aware of what they’re doing. Nettie Hammar, lead singer and easily the band’s strongest member, has a powerful, clean voice capable of throwing in a good growl from time to time for flavor.

Backing Hammar are her forceful lyrics marked by a headstrong, “don’t mess with me” attitude. The rest of the band doesn’t goof around either. The rockabilly hallmarks of burly, blues inspired bass lines and fast, spastic guitar playing with an occasional drum solo match Hammar’s enthusiasm and spirit. As a group, the band is cohesive; every member sounds like they’re in the right place at the right time, making for a good listen.

When you think of rockabilly, psychobilly and all the other derivative genres, you probably think of a niche genre with a small following. And for that reason, it may have never crossed your mind to give an album like this a shot. A skeptic myself at first, this album is on my iPod with no chance of removal in sight.