[OCTOBER 24 - OCTOBER 30 ’07] Campus Circle | 19 l.a. underground THE ROCKETZ Scaring Up Some Fun at Knott’s

BY RICHARD CASTANEDA

IF YOU HAVEN’T GONE TO KNOTT’S SCARY Farm yet, one of the main attractions this year, aside from the creepy mazes and the usual rides, is the Rocketz. Orange County’s own the Rocketz (l to r) Andrew Martinez, Tony “Slash” Red-Horse and Tony Macias of the Rocketz have been rocking their way through three sets a night all month long. Though they’ve been labeled “Psychobilly” That year, their live shows became legendary. by fans and critics alike, lead singer and guitarist, They played 54 shows locally without an Tony “Slash” Red-Horse believes there’s more to to support. Word of mouth and fan-generated his band than meets the eye. support led to a label deal with Hairball8 Records “We have plenty of other tunes that do not a year later. conform to the Halloween theme,” he says. In 2005, they released Rise of the Undead and Sure, they sing about zombies, dead have since performed extensively throughout girlfriends and other themes associated with Southern California. Halloween, but there’s still much more that the “We don’t use set lists at regular shows,” Red- Rocketz have to offer. Horse points out. “The songs we play are based “We do not consider ourselves pure solely on how I feel and what vibe I’m getting from Psychobilly,” Red-Horse assures. the crowd.” The Rocketz began their journey to rock The Rocketz hope to follow up Rise of the stardom in 2003. Red-Horse was giving his friend Undead with a new album to be released early John Dimambro upright bass lessons. The 2008. For now, the Rocketz are excited about the lessons led to songwriting, and those songs Knott’s gig and their brand new video,“Killing.” eventually became Rocketz songs. Red-Horse later recruited drummer Rise of the Undead is currently available. The Andrew Martinez to complete the lineup. band will perform at 9 p.m. Oct. 24-31 at Knott’s Dimambro left the band, and Tony Macias took Scary Farm. For more information, visit over on bass in 2004. www.myspace.com/therocketz. music dvd reviews

LES PAUL THIS GENERATION: Chasing Sound (Koch Vision) Live in the U.K. It’s a good thing that Les (MVD Visual) Paul has such a curious mind. Oh how time marches on. He put that mindset to use as a When this British young musician, tinkered group put out their first single around and invented the electric “Pass the Dutchie” it soared guitar. straight to the top of the He also invented the charts. recording techniques of over- Originally done by Jamaican dubbing and multi-tracking and group the as popularized the solid-body “Pass the Kouchie,” the song was guitar. Today the Gibson about smoking pot, and company makes a full line of everyone knew it. The slight guitars that carry his signature, lyric change was precipitated by all noted for the rich tones they the fact that all of the members produce. of Musical Youth were at the Paul originally played time underage, and a song hillbilly guitar but changed his overtly about marijuana was style in the ’50s, hitting big with deemed inappropriate for the a string of jazzy instrumentals youngsters. where he experimented with Now 25 years later lead getting unusual sounds out of singer Dennis Seaton has lost his guitar. Today at 92-years most of his hair and gained a old Paul still plays, mostly lot of weight, but his voice traditional jazz, and he is has aged nicely. Seaton’s revered as a god by musicians vocals now exude a soul- like Keith Richards, Merle fulness that wasn’t possible Haggard, Steve Miller and Bonnie Raitt, all of in his youth and that makes listening to the whom appear here. old stuff all the better. Grade: A Grade: B Chasing Sound is currently available. Live in the U.K. is currently available.