In a town known more for generating pop country 'hat acts' and contemporary Christian music, there is a storm brewing. Small independent bands with no management, booking, record labels (or even local media support) are changing the way people think about Nashville Tennessee. One of the leaders of this movement is the Hillbilly Casino, the brain child of Nic Roulette, former singer for Indiana rockabilly powerhouse, 'The Blue Moon Boys". In 2004 Roulette moved to Nashville,
In a town known more for generating pop country 'hat acts' and contemporary Christian music, there is a storm brewing. Small independent bands with no management, booking, record labels (or even local media support) are changing the way people think about Nashville Tennessee.
One of the leaders of this movement is the Hillbilly Casino, the brain child of Nic Roulette, former singer for Indiana rockabilly powerhouse, 'The Blue Moon Boys". In 2004 Roulette moved to Nashville, where after about a year he eventually found a solid core of top notch players that were interested in really being a band. With bassist Geoff Firebaugh (BR5-49), guitarist Ronnie Crutcher (Tabasko Kat, Brian Setzer’s Nashvillains) and drummer Andrew Dickson (Brian Setzer's Nashvillains) things really started to come together. What started as nothing more than a revved up rockabilly band playing for tips at Layla's Bluegrass Inn, on Nashville's famed Lower Broadway, has turned into a closet industry doing over 200 shows a year.
Though you might still find the Casino playing at Layla's when they're home, they've taken their show on the road as well. Theatres, clubs, and backwater bars From Hollywood, California to Bergen, Norway have seen the boys roll in, set up, and lay waste to any and all in attendance. Whether they're in some small club on their own, or supporting acts like the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Rancid, or The Reverend Horton Heat, these boys can play on any stage, in front of any audience, and own it. In December 2006, The Hillbilly Casino opened several dates for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and every night this virtually unknown (at the time) band received standing ovations, and had new fans lining up to get their debut CD 'Sucker Punched'.
The Hillbilly Casino has performed along with the following national Acts… Brian Setzer Orchestra (7 shows), Rev. Horton Heat, Rancid, Los Straightjackets, Southern Culture on the Skids, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, The Horrorpops, The Blasters, The Supersuckers, Doyle Bramhall, 7 Shot Screamers, Koffin Kats, Flatfoot 56, Lonesome Spurs, Three Blue Teardrops.
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Our Weekend Picks :: April 4, 2014
Each week we will highlight a few of our picks for the weekend. Some may be local, some may not, but as long as you are seeing live music in Cincinnati you are contributing! Our picks are below, but you can choose for yourself with our calendar here. (Or download our iPhone app here).
Friday,...