SAT OCT 7: Check out the calendar in the sidebar for several new upcoming show dates. And keep your eyes peeled for lots more news on some interesting developments rat-cheer on this page soon...
WED JULY 5: Thanks to all who came out to see the BP's at the Penguin's annual 4th of July bash on Saturday, and also to those who came out to see the Painkillers at the Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston-Salem on Sunday. A killer weekend all the way around, and we do mean killer! And for some killer photos from the show at the Bird, try these on for size. A sample:
Some fine work by Brian Skipper
Many thanks also to Jimmy King, Brian Rowe, and Greg Auten at the Bird, and to Dave Quick and Mike Martin at Heavy Rebel, for having us.
MON MAY 15: Photos from last Friday's show at Dolce Vita are up here -- check 'em out!
THURS APR 20 06: Welcome to the Painkillers Online, v2.0! After a brief hiatus, the PKs are back and looking forward to a busy summer '06. Check out the new recordings available in the sidebar, and brace yourself for some new merchandise currently in the pipeline and due to be available soon. And keep your eye on the calendar at left, too. This site will function as sort of a catch-all for any and all news, merchandise, and other info about the Painkillers, the Parodi Kings, the Belmont Playboys, and any other project the Hendrix brothers (Mike and Jeff) decide to involve themselves in. We hope you'll check back often!
The Painkillers are the bastard offspring of the Belmont Playboys, the Aqualads, Lou Ford, and other bands far too numerous to mention. The PK's current lineup is Mike Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Jeff Hendrix on upright bass, and Darrell Ussery on drums, and they're simply one of the finest rockabilly/punk/country/blues/surf band currently extant. Of course, they're probably one of the only ones too, but that hardly matters. Drawing their chops from a far-flung empire of American-music influences ranging from legendary artists like Hank Williams and Elvis Presley to modern rockers like Social Distortion and the Ramones, the one sure thing about any PK's show is that it's going to be a stone riot.
The Belmont Playboys need no introduction to any fan of raucous, loud, neo-rockabilly. The Playboys toured both the US and the wider world for well over a decade before finally succumbing to the kind of road-dog fatigue that claims most bands a lot sooner, developing a reputation as one of the most muscular and balls-out purveyors of sin-soaked aural temptation ever along the way. They play seldom these days. Drummer Mark Painter leads a quiet, semi-retired life of contemplation of his transgressions against both God and man. Chipps Baker is currently playing a mean slap bass with Jem Crossland and the Hypertonics. And Mike and Jeff are still beating their heads against the walls of the rock and roll asylum with the Painkillers.
The Aqualads were one of the best pure surf outfits ever to hang ten off the top of a cranked-up Fender Twin, and still do the occasional blowout show -- usually in summer and near a large body of water -- giving PK's drummer Darrell Ussery the opportunity to flex not only his instrumental but his swimming muscles. Darrell was also drummer for Americana/alt-country wunderkinds Lou Ford. Together with the Hendrix boys, he helps pound out an energetic but authentic rockabilly rhythm, which, together with the band's other roots-rock influences, all adds up to one potent, two-fisted brew of gin-yoo-wine all-American rock and roll.
Interviewer: "So, how do you like being on the road again, Gene?"
Gene Vincent: "Well, we blow into town, make a bunch of racket, drink all the liquor, screw all the women, and then leave. What's not to like?"
Jerry Lee Lewis: "All this talk about 'rock' this and 'rock' that just leaves me cold. See, you got to have the rock AND the roll...."
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| Painkillers pix | Parodi Kings pix | BP's pix |
The Parodi Kings are a semi-acoustic side project featuring Mike, Darrell, and bluesman extraordinaire Tom "Mookie" Brill. Named after the cheap (but delightful) cheroots both Mike and Mook enjoy to the rueful chagrin of those closest to them, the Kings appear once a month or thereabouts at the Penguin Drive-in, performing a mix of traditional country, rockabilly, and even the occasional blues standard. These shows are advertised strictly by word of mouth -- and an e-mail list you can sign up for by clicking here.
The Belmont Playboys have achieved near-legendary status among a select, knowledgeable group of hard-living greaser scum and the wild, wild women who will never forgive themselves for the shame of loving them. Known for being louder, harder, and more primitive-sounding than the bespoke nostalgists who perfectly recreate certain vintage sounds while completely missing the sweaty, raucous point behind them, the Playboys never held anything back, and never will. And though such an approach to performing always exacts both a mental and a physical toll, the BPs still get together now and then and do it the only way they care to know about: all the friggin' way, pal. The latest BPs show, at the almighty Double Door Inn in Charlotte, NC back in January '06, was recorded for posterity; a few individual songs from that performance are nowavailable free of charge in the MP3 section to the left, and you'll be able to purchase the entire recording from the Merch section just as soon as there is one.
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Website by Stimpson Design Group; all material contained herein ©2006 by Mike Hendrix