*by Nic Huber – eParis Extra!*
Austin-based Johnny Hootrock brought down the house with their unique psychobilly sound at Three Brothers Drafthouse Friday night. Austin’s one and only rock ‘n roll dance troup, The Hell Katz, also came out to Sun Valley to dance along with Hootrock’s loud and distorted guitar riffs.
It isn’t often that Paris and the surrounding area is blessed with the music of psychobilly. For those of you who are not familiar with the genre, psychobilly is a fusion of rock music that combines elements of punk rock and rockabilly with a garage-band atmosphere.
Opening the show was local talent Pearl Street Riot, the most fitting candidates for opening such a spectacle considering the band’s outlaw-ish vibe. With no drummer on hand, Pearl Street Riot entertained the crowd at Three Brothers Drafthouse with their songs about Native Americans.
After a brief intermission and soundcheck, Johnny Hootrock took to the stage, complete with gogo dancers in tow, to give Three Brothers Drafthouse one of their best sounding and memorable concerts of 2012. Midway through the band’s set, drummer Johnny Cat “quit” the band mid-performance due to a song’s lyrical content. The gag was given away moments after after some creative and impromptu dialogue.
Johnny Hootrock is a three-peice from Austin, Texas; featuring Clem Hoot on guitar and vocals, Johnny Cat on the drums and vocals, and Hazard Rock on the upright bass. For just three individuals, the Hootrock sound is surprisingly thick.
Three Brothers Drafthouse is located at 804 Shady Grove Road, in the building that formerly housed Country Joe’s and Club Mix, right next to the Sun Valley beer and liquor stores. Be sure to try the home-made pizza, it’s delicious.