Dash Rip Rock is an American rock band. Originally playing

rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and b ...

and

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

, the band is best known for its

cowpunk Cowpunk (or country punk) is a subgenre of punk rock that began in the United Kingdom and Southern California in the late 1970s - early 1980s. It combines punk rock or new wave with country, folk, and blues in its sound, lyrical subject matter ...

sound, which mixes punk rock, rockabilly,

hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest ha ...

, country and

boogie Boogie is a repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm,Burrows, Terry (1995). ''Play Country Guitar'', p.42. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. . "groove" or pattern used in blues which was originally played on the piano in boogie-woogie mus ...

. ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' stated that Dash Rip Rock combines “fluency in American roots music with a robust dose of punk-rock spirit.”

Bill Davis William Grenville Davis, (July 30, 1929 – August 8, 2021) was a Canadian politician who served as the 18th premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the member of provincial Parliament for Peel in the 1959 provincia ...

, Dash Rip Rock's founder and frontman, is a songwriter known for his blistering guitar work. ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally ...

'' praised Dash Rip Rock as “undeniably the South’s greatest rock band.” In 2012, Dash Rip Rock was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. "Their roots sound's supercharged with energy and an overdose of irreverence, delivered with crunchy swagger,"

Creative Loafing Creative Loafing is an Atlanta-based publisher of a monthly arts and culture newspaper/magazine. The company publishes a 60,000 circulation monthly publication which is distributed to in-town locations and neighborhoods on the first Thursday of ...

wrote.

History

Guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist

formed Dash Rip Rock as a three-piece band during the summer of 1984. Davis was influenced by the early 1980s American

roots rock Roots rock is a genre of rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is particularly associated with the creation of hybrid subgenres from the later 1960s, including blues rock, country rock, Southern rock, ...

revival, embodied by such acts as

Rank and File Rank and file may refer to: *A military term relating to the horizontal "ranks" (rows) and vertical "files" (columns) of individual foot-soldiers, exclusive of the officers *A term derived from the above used to refer to enlisted troops, as oppose ...

, The LeRoi Brothers,

The Beat Farmers The Beat Farmers were an American rock band that formed in San Diego, California, United States, in August 1983, and enjoyed a cult following into the early 1990s before the death of drummer and sometime lead singer Country Dick Montana. Their ...

The Stray Cats Stray Cats are an American rockabilly band formed in 1979 by guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer, double bassist Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, New York. The group had numerous hit singles in th ...

, and

Jason & the Scorchers Jason & the Scorchers, originally Jason & the Nashville Scorchers, are a cowpunk band that formed in 1981 and are led by singer-songwriter Jason Ringenberg. With a sound that combines punk rock and country music, Jason and the Scorchers are not ...

. The other two original members were bassist Ned "Hoaky" Hickel and F. Clarke Martty on drums. All three were veterans of the post-punk scene. Originally, the band focused on revved up

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, whi ...

and

, with Martty playing a simple stand-up drum kit and members sporting cowboy shirts, and

bolo ties A bolo tie (sometimes bola tie or shoestring necktie) is a type of necktie consisting of a piece of cord or braided leather with decorative metal tips (called aiguillettes) and secured with an ornamental clasp or slide. Popularity In the United ...

. Early shows included originals like "Marsupial" (the band's first single) and a fast rockabilly tune called "Shake That Girl" as well as rocked-out

George Jones George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American country musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best-known song " He Stopped Loving Her Today", ...

covers. The band began to build a strong following around their live

shows at clubs in Louisiana and throughout the South. Over time, Dash evolved into a rock band that explored a wide variety of roots influences. Founding member Davis has kept the band touring and recording for more than 30 years. Martty was replaced by a succession of drummers, including

Fred LeBlanc Fred LeBlanc is the lead singer/drummer for the New Orleans-based rock band Cowboy Mouth, and a freelance songwriter, record producer, short story author, and acoustic performer. Known for his "maniacal" performance style, and described as "a s ...

, Chris Luckette (formerly of The Normals and The Cold), Kyle Melancon, and Wade Hymel. Hickel left around 2000 and was replaced by Kenny Ames (formerly of Jason and the Scorchers). Patrick Johnson has also been Dash s bassist. "No one can replace Bill Davis," the ''Austin Chronicle'' wrote in 2008. "He’s the brains behind Dash’s brawn, a barroom poet with a wicked sense of humor and a shameless knack for a good lick. He doesn't mind taking good-natured potshots at New Orleans icons like Aaron Neville but he’s capable of writing memorable heartbreakers like “Endeavor.” Davis is often credited as a pioneer in "country punk," "cowpunk," and alt-country music that combines elements of rock with country and outlaw country with punk rock, but Davis has said in interviews that he considers his music to be widely roots-based. Dash Rip Rock released a self-titled debut album in 1986 on 688 Records. In 1988 the band recorded its second album, ''Ace of Clubs'', on

Mammoth Records Mammoth Records was an independent record label founded in 1989 by Jay Faires in the Carrboro area of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The majority of the acts on Mammoth were executive-produced by Faires and the label's general manager, Steve Balcom ...

. Dash Rip Rock toured with

The Cramps The Cramps were an American rock band formed in 1976 and active until 2006. Their lineup rotated frequently during their existence, with the husband-and-wife duo of singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy the only ever-present members. ...

The Reverend Horton Heat The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician James C. Heath (born 1959) as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. A ''Prick'' magazine reviewer called Heath ...

The dB's The dB's are an American alternative rock and power pop group, who formed in New York City in 1978 and first came to prominence in the early 1980s. Their debut album, ''Stands for Decibels'', is often acclaimed as one of the greatest "lost" powe ...

and others. In the 1990s, Dash Rip Rock's song "Let's Go Smoke Some Pot", a parody of

Danny and the Juniors Danny & the Juniors are an American doo-wop and rock and roll vocal group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania originally consisting of Danny Rapp, Dave White, Frank Maffei and Joe Terranova. Formed in 1955, they are most widely recognized for the ...

' "

At the Hop "At the Hop" is a 1950s pop song written by Artie Singer, John Medora, and David White and originally released by Danny & the Juniors. The song was released in the fall of 1957 and reached number one on the US charts on January 6, 1958, becomi ...

" became a tongue-in-cheek staple of the band's live shows and a nationwide radio hit that has since been covered by many bands. Although the song has been adopted by some as a pro-marijuana song, it was actually intended to make fun of the resurgent popularity of Grateful Dead-style jam bands. In 2005 Jello Biafra released Dash Rip Rock's retrospective CD ''Recyclone'' on the

Alternative Tentacles Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label established in 1979 in San Francisco, California. It was used by Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single " California Über Alles". After realizing the potential for an independent labe ...

label, followed in 2007 by Dash's first

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Some ...

, a punk rock opera based on Dante's '' Inferno'', '' Hee Haw Hell''. August 1, 2008 saw the release of a new studio album, ''Country Girlfriend.'' In 2010, the ''Houston Press'' deemed DRR one of the "Top 10 Louisiana Bands of All Time." Bill Davis was also featured in the documentary, ''Outside Industry: The Story of SXSW''. In 2010, Dash Rip Rock's song "Johnny Ace" was featured in the video game ''

Rock Band A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years, the configuration was typically two gui ...

''. In 2011, Bill Davis also joined Jello Biafra to form Jello Biafra and the New Orleans Raunch & Soul All-Stars. After selecting songs and recruiting musicians, DRR's Bill Davis and this one-time-only band of mostly-Louisiana rockers played a special show in New Orleans. The band featured Jello Biafra, Bill Davis (Dash Rip Rock), Pepper Keenan ( DOWN and

Corrosion of Conformity Corrosion of Conformity (also known as COC) is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with guitarist Woody Weatherman as the sole const ...

), and others. In 2012, Dash Rip Rock was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In November 2012, Alternative Tentacles Dash Rip Rock released DRR's new album ''Black Liquor.'' It was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and produced by

Ben Mumphrey Benjamin Mumphrey (born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States) is an American record producer, audio engineer, and musician. Producer credits Benjamin Mumphrey's credits for engineering include: * Frank Black albums '' True Blue'', ''Show ...

. Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock also cut the track "Rock 'N' Roll Clown" for an album by

The Vibrators The Vibrators are a British punk rock band that formed in 1976. Early career The Vibrators were founded by Ian ' Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice ...

that was released on Cleopatra Records in 2013. Dash Rip Rock also recorded a tribute album to

Billy Joe Shaver Billy Joe Shaver (August 16, 1939 – October 28, 2020) was an American outlaw country singer and songwriter, as well as an actor. Biography Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas, and raised by his mother, Victory Watson Shaver. Until he was 12 ...

that was released in 2013 on Whiskey Bayou Records. It was produced by Tab Benoit. In 2013 Dash Rip Rock played back-up for a one-time only show with southern rock pioneers Jim "Dandy" Mangum and Rickey Lee “Risky” Reynolds of

Black Oak Arkansas Black Oak Arkansas is an American Southern rock band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas. The band reached the height of its fame in the 1970charting ten albums according to Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Their style is punctuated ...

. In 2014 Punk News announced that Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock would be appearing on lead guitar and lead vocals on a track on a forthcoming Black Oak Arkansas tribute album with Greg Ginn of Black Flag, Paul Leary and Jeff Pinkus of

Butthole Surfers Butthole Surfers are an American rock band formed in San Antonio, Texas, by singer Gibby Haynes and guitarist Paul Leary in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has ...

, Shooter Jennings, and others. ''Mutants of the Monster: A Tribute to Black Oak Arkansas'' was released by Saustex Records in 2016. In 2014, Davis was writing for both a forthcoming solo release and a new Dash Rip Rock record and playing live with Dash Rip Rock. He spoke with a New Orleans journalist about some of his earliest guitar influences: "A bunch of really strange guitar players I met in the 80s really influenced me.

Danny Gatton Daniel Wood Gatton Jr. (September 4, 1945 – October 4, 1994) was an American virtuoso guitarist who combined blues, rockabilly, jazz, and country to create a musical style he called "redneck jazz". Career Daniel Wood Gatton Jr. was born in ...

, who committed suicide, was one of the most monstrous Telecaster players to ever walk the planet. Gatton worked with another guy I met named Evan Johns. They were both from Washington, D.C. and played in rockabilly bands, but the rockabilly kind of turned punk. Evan introduced me to Danny Gatton’s style," Davis said. "Going way back, I loved Ace Frehley from Kiss. It was really simple. I like guitar that has a country flavor. Pete Townshend is another one, and Bily Zoom from the band X really inspired the punk rock side of my style." Dash Rip Rock regularly plays live. Recent gigs include Outlaw Country Cruise, French Quarter Festival, Bandito Festival, Voodoo Festival, and many club shows, etc.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Dash Rip Rock'' (1986, 688 Records) * ''Ace of Clubs'' (1989, Mammoth Records) * ''Not of This World'' (1990, Mammoth Records) * ''Tiger Town'' (1993, Doctor Dream Records) * ''Get You Some of Me'' (1996, Ichiban Records/Naked Language Records) * '' Paydirt'' (1998, P.C. Records) * ''Sonic Boom'' (2002, Write On Records) * ''Hee Haw Hell'' (2007, Alternative Tentacles) * ''Country Girlfriend'' (2008, Abitian) * ''Call of the Wild'' (2010, Alternative Tentacles) * ''Black Liquor'' (2012, Alternative Tentacles) * ''Dash Does Shaver'' (2013, Whiskey Bayou Records) * ''Wrongheaded'' (2015, Drag Snake Records) * ''Cherchez La Femme'' (2021, Drag Snake Records)

Live albums

* ''Boiled Alive!'' (1991, Mammoth Records)

Compilations

* ''Dash Rip Rock's Gold Record'' (1996, Ichiban) * ''Recyclone'' (2004, Alternative Tentacles)

References

External links

Dash Rip Rock official siteFacebook.comAlternative Tentacles Artist page
* Bill Davis of Dash's record with Mojo Nixon, John Doe, Country Dick Montana, Luther Dickinson, produced by Jim Dickinson
Link to Dash Rip Rock on Rock Band video game
{{Authority control Alternative Tentacles artists Musical groups from Louisiana Musicians from Louisiana Musical groups from New Orleans Musical groups established in 1984 Cowpunk musical groups Rockabilly music groups Albums produced by Jim Dickinson Culture of the Southern United States