The Hydrant Bali, Jalan Teuku Umar No. 155A, Denpasar (2026)

24/06/2026

Feel like getting hep with a loud blast of 60s punk surf-a-billy?

But first, let's say happy birthday to Deke Dickerson, the founder and the frontman of The Untamed Youth. He turned 58 this month.

The Untamed Youth blended raw 1960s garage punk, reverb-heavy surf rock, and driving rhythms. Rejecting the dark themes of psychobilly, the band prioritized wild, infectious party music.

Driven by an obsession with retro Americana, the members were avid vinyl collectors. They ignored late-80’s pop trends, choosing instead to resurrect obscure 45-rpm garage gems and recreate the unhinged, energetic atmosphere of vintage teenage dance clubs.

Car culture was central to their identity, not a stage gimmick. Dickerson grew up around antique vehicles, fueling a lifelong passion for hot rods. This lifestyle inspired numerous tracks dedicated to classic machinery and gearhead subcultures.

The Untamed Youth formed in late 1986 in Columbia, Missouri. They made their debut at The Blue Note in January 1987, quickly earning a long-lasting reputation for untamed, rowdy performances.

Their concerts became legendary for chaotic entertainment. At their first gig, the band introduced a cherry Jell-O wrestling pit by the stage, initiating a wild legacy of beer-soaked, completely anti-pretentious live spectacles.

Despite never cracking the mainstream charts, the band secured an enduring global cult following. Their vintage records became prized collector's items, and the group continues to headline specialized international music festivals decades later.

17/06/2026

Celebrating the victory of Dharma; Happy Galungan and Kuningan 2026, Dandy & Dolly! Om Swastiastu!

Pic: Erick Est.

16/06/2026

As stated in the previous post, the song “Storm the Embassy” was initially titled “Boys Having Babies." It was a semi-finished material from Brian Setzer’s very early band, the Bloodless Pharaohs.

Here the proto–"Storm the Embassy” was performed live by the art-rock/new wave quartet, the Bloodless Pharaohs (Brian’s sibling, Gary Setzer, is on drums).

This era saw a teenage Brian wielding a Fender Stratocaster, exploring new aesthetics before focusing on his roots-rock passions and switching to a Gretsch 6120.

In search of a more traditional outlet, Brian and his brother Gary Setzer founded The Tomcats, a side project with the Bloodless Pharaohs bassist Bob Beecher. This Long Island outfit allowed the brothers to perfect their high-energy rockabilly approach, covering Eddie Cochran and Elvis Presley while stepping away from Manhattan's synth scene.

The Tomcats evolved after Gary and Beecher departed, allowing Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom to join Brian. Rebranded as the Stray Cats, the new trio relocated to London in 1980, where their stripped-down sound sparked a global rockabilly revival and propelled them to international stardom.

When Brian moved to London, Gary decided to stay in the US to continue his music career. He drummed with roots-rock bands such as the Rebel Rockers before reuniting with Brian for a 1993 live album and collaborating on the 2010 release 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴.

While Brian remains highly active on the road, including headlining tours with the Stray Cats, Gary has largely stepped away from the public music spotlight, having released no new material or maintained a public touring schedule in recent years.

Video owner: Paul Tschinkel.

10/06/2026

Let’s continue our discussion of Stray Cats’ unpopular songs with one that is truly fascinating and stands out owing to its distinct perspective: “Storm the Embassy."

Released on their 1981 debut, "Storm the Embassy" was what the industry calls an “actuality song”—a track completely tied to the breaking news of a very specific window of time. The lyrics explicitly address the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis, where American diplomats and citizens were held captive in Tehran. It even references other concurrent global events, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Frontman Brian Setzer adapted the music from an instrumental song by his previous New Wave/punk band, The Bloodless Pharaohs. In 1979, they recorded an instrumental track called “Boys Having Babies.” When Setzer formed the Stray Cats, he kept the music but completely rewrote the lyrics to capture the political anger of the era.

Musically, the track stripped away the band's warm rockabilly sound for jagged guitar work and cold drum beats. Critics compared its aggressive energy to contemporary British punk bands like The Clash and The Jam, demonstrating that the American trio was actively absorbing modern rock trends rather than just copying the past.

As the hostage crisis ended, Setzer & Co. permanently retired the track to protect their escapist, party-ready brand. They never revived it, preferring to transition toward a more traditional roots-rock sound.

Cultural commentators note the song's unusual political stance. While most 1980s punk music was anti-establishment, this track channeled adolescent rage toward a foreign regime in defense of American citizens. This resulted in a rare display of raw patriotism within a notoriously rebellious youth subculture.

Among fans, the song holds legendary status as a "lost masterpiece." Because it was completely abandoned after 1981, early live bootlegs are highly prized and traded. Enthusiasts generally agree that while the topical lyrics aged quickly, the song's musical power deserved a longer shelf life.

30/05/2026

Tequila and friends make a great blend. Tequila and rockabilly make the best buddies.

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