It is a rare event that a TV talent program actually uncovers some real, interesting talent. The run of the mill singers, dancers, musicians are always present and let's face it, the normal gets boring. However, recently on Channel 7's " Australia's Got Talent ", three young kids stepped on to that stage and amazed us all.
Seeing these three young people perform, with the demeanour of professional musicians, in a rockabilly outfit, a genre so different from what other people their age would be playing or listening to, was simply great. The fact that they are out there playing what they love, not conforming to what is popular, shows strength and promise in their talents.
They are the River City Rumblers, made up of Layla, 16 years old, lead vocals and double bass, Johnny Stixx, 13, drummer and Sizzl'n Simon, 14, lead guitar. And they are ready to take Australia by storm.
Rockabilly - What Is It?
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll, emerging in the early part of the 1950's, so some readers may not be aware of the genre. For those who are not, the term is a blend of rock and hillbilly, referring to country music, however in the '40's and 50's country was known as 'hillbilly music'. It's rock music, with a dance, fun, aspect to it. In the beginning it was often considered an insult to be deemed "rockabilly", a less intelligent form of rock. It has grown a lot since then, losing popularity in the '60's, reviving in the '70's and 80's, and at present continues to hold a cult following.
Some techniques that are prominent in rockabilly music, is vocals that emulate the style of black blues musicians, slap bass, double bass, loose rhythm patterns on the drums and guitar sounds of Texas swing music.
The River City Rumblers
When you think of the town of Kempsey, rockabilly bands are not really what comes to mind straight away. However, this is where the rockabilly outfit that is The River City Rumblers began. Layla, Johnny Stixx and Sizzl'n Simon are just kids of 16, 13 and 14, respectively, yet the talent they possess is of years beyond their ages.
Rockabilly is not a prominent genre seen in the Australian scene, so it is refreshing to see new talent actually doing something different, and coming from kids, who you wouldn't even expect to know what rockabilly is, makes RCR so unique and intriguing. The music industry is a hard industry to break into especially when doing something that will not necessarily draw in crowds. It's great to do what you love, perform what you want, but a niche market in the music industry is not exactly ideal from a lucrative stand point. However, RCR have begun young, giving them plenty of time to grow with their music, develop a strong fan base early on, giving them a greater opportunity to harness all that they learn and become rockabilly gods, as their music career progresses.
While they are not perfect yet, they have played shows up and down the coast, made it to the semi-finals of "Australia's Got Talent", and even opened for Sydney's favourite celtic/folk rock band, "The Rumjacks". The fact that they show such promise at such an early age, proves they have what it takes to really go far in this industry. When watching them perform, the way they play and sound together as a band, you would swear they had been doing it for years. They do sound great together, but admittedly when watching them, occasionally they seem like three separate musicians, playing together but alone.
But hey, they are only just beginning and getting comfortable on stage will take time and as they play more shows, it will come to them naturally. The fact that they have the skills, the courage and sound like a band, is a great place for any band to be starting out.
The River City Rumblers are definitely young Australian talent to be on the lookout for. It wouldn't be surprising if sooner, rather than later, RCR begin playing shows in the Sydney area and moving out from their coastal roots. RCR claim to have "a legacy to change music", and if they bring rockabilly to the forefront of people's minds, they will succeed.
Christine Caruana - My name is Christine, I am an aspiring music journalist. I am currently a writer for Loud Australia Magazine where so far I have ...
