Hot Rod of VonZippers

Dr BLT interviews Hot Rod of FattKatt and the Vonzippers:
The Bakersfield Sound Underground Interview

If you haven’t already felt something new in the air in Kern County that resembles an underground Bakersfield sound revival, including the return of the Buck-based rockabilly sound (known as Bakobilly), then you probably haven’t been to Trout’s or the Crystal Palace lately to catch this band in action. 

There’s no doubt about it.  FattKatt and the Vonzippers are breaking new Bakobilly ground (or, underground, if you prefer) with their recent Trout’s and Crystal Palace performances, and with the buzz surrounding the anticipation of their brand new CD.  

I was fortunate enough to catch Hot Rod, one of the Vonzippers between the groovy gigs and the sizzling recording sessions. 

Feel free to listen in to our conversation, and learn more about how this band is rising from the underground as leaders (along with Dusk Devils, of course) of a bakobilly revolution. 

Dr. BLT: Are you ready to go on record?
Hot Rod: Let’s do this.
Dr. BLT: Good morning, I’d like to welcome you to the band's very first Bakersfield Sound Underground interview And your name is…

Hot Rod:  Hot Rod. 
Dr. BLT: Hot Rod, oh, so that’s what they’re calling you these days.
(laughter from both sides erupts).
Now I’ve heard a lot about your band, there’s a lot happening with your band these days.  I heard that you’re on the cutting edge of  the current Bakobilly movement.  Let me hear a little bit about what’s going on right now with your band. 

Hot Rod:  Well, we’re playing around locally.  We’re at the Crystal Palace quite often.  We’re trying to bring back that old Bakobilly sound from the Bakersfield greats, and we’re really enjoying what we’re doing right now. 

We’ll have a CD out, hopefully within the next couple of weeks, and we’re trying to bring that Bakersfield Sound back.
Dr BLT: Okay, now tell me about this new CD.   Have you got a title for it?  And, what can we expect from this CD? 
Hot Rod:  It’s called That Bakerbilly Sound.  Of course it’s all originals.  It’s got a really good sound.  It’s unique.  It definitely has a rockabilly tone to it.  A lot of that Bakersfield country sound is mixed in.  I think it will do well, and I think people will really enjoy it. 

Dr BLT: Now, who is in the band, and what does each member do?  What is the role of each member? 
Hot Rod:  We have FattKatt.  He’s our leader, he’s the lead singer and he plays guitar.  We have Billy Ray Rocket.  He does vocals also, lead guitar.  Then we have Sticks, he’s our drummer and he also does vocals.  I’m Hot Rod.  I play bass, and sing a little back-up. 

Dr. BLT: Tell me a little bit about your origins.  How did you guys get started, and how long have you been together?
Hot Rod:  I believe the original band got together in about 1999.  I’m actually the third bass player, and I’ve been in the band almost 2 years now. 

Dr. BLT: And, where do you guys come from?  Are you all from Bakersfield?
Hot Rod: Two of the band members are from this area.  FattKatt’s been here his whole life.  I arrived in Kern County about 20 years ago. 

Dr. BLT:  What are some of your influences, and what artists do the band/band members look up to? 
Hot Rod:  For me, personally, I’ve always enjoyed rockabilly, but this is the first time I’ve been playing it.  Being raised in Southern California in the 80s, the Stray Cats were a big influence.  I really enjoyed them.  My bass-playing was actually influenced more by blues and jazz.  Some of the greats I look up to are Victor Woodon, and of course Marcus Miller and Lee Rocker, I really enjoy him.  I’ve got to meet him a couple of times, and we’ve opened for him before.  He’s a phenomenal singer, a phenomenal player.  And of course the Bakersfield sound, and Buck Owens, in particular, and, of course, Homer Joy.

There are so many from that era.  We’ve started playing at Trout’s and we’ve got the old Blackboard back-up.  There are the jam sessions, and a lot of the old-timers are coming out again and playing.  They are influencing our sound also. 

Dr. BLT: Well, we’ve talked a little bit about the past, and the present.  Where do you see the band going in the future?

Hot Rod: Well, hopefully, the CD will catch on, the new sound will catch on, we’ll pick up some new fans, and, hopefully hold on to the old fans.  We just enjoy rocking Bakersfield and representing Bakersfield when we go out of town and play.

Dr. BLT:  Well, I consider you guys what I refer to as true “rock ‘n’ role models,” because you’re doing it.  You’ve got your roots in the Bakersfield sound.  You appreciate those artists that came before you, and your not taking them for granted.  But, at the same time, you’re moving it forward—taking it in a new direction with your own style. 

What do you think it will take for more young people to gain an appreciation for the old Bakersfield Sound, and incorporating it into their music while breaking new creative ground of their own, according to their own unique style?  In other words, what do you think it will take to bridge the Bakersfield sound generation gap?

Hot Rod: I’ve noticed, since we’ve been doing a lot of shows, that people are coming out for the first time, and a lot of young people seem to really enjoy it.  It’s amazing, even when you listen to new music, there’s really nothing new in music, it’s just the new artists copying the old, which is great, because some of the sounds and styles that we thought had fallen by the wayside come back, and we enjoy them again. 

A lot of young people don’t realize that they’re hearing old rockabilly, and their thinking this stuff is new.  But it’s been around way before us.  It’s a great sound, and I definitely think it’s time for it to come back. 

Dr. BLT: Well, I want to thank you for being a part of this Rock ‘n’ Role Model interview.  I just encourage you guys to keep on rockin’!