On Friday April 15, A.B.C. Rebel Night took place at the Grand Victory bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus received the call to perform guest DJ duties. Rebel Night got off to a late start, due to the fact that the big punk show that was held earlier went late into Rebel Night time. The headlining veteran punk rock group M.D.C. played a good 20 minutes after its cut-off time of 11 PM. As soon as the last of M.D.C.’s feedback noise disappeared, Rebel Night host Hiromu was at the turntable booth setting up. He got the rockin’ sounds going as soon as he could.

Usually it is our pal Seiji who runs the Rebel Night show. However, that weekend was the big rockabilly weekender in Las Vegas and Seiji, along with Rebel Night den mother Katie Bickert–and apparently a LOT of the Rebel Night regulars–were at the event, known as Viva Las Vegas. However, there were plenty of folks who hung out after the M.D.C. show to make the Rebel Night a success. A few of the punks even danced, but most of the them remained in the bar area where they drank their beer and bopped their heads to the beat. One would hope they were thinking that this Rebel Night music is where the whole punk rock thing started–because it would be true! Also, there were plenty of folks who didn’t make the scene in Las Vegas but were happy to do the stroll in Williamsburg.

DJ Hiromu cues a hot bopper at Rebel Night!

Our pal DJ Jumpy was another guest that night. He surprised folks by playing some fine records we never heard him play  before. It was a gas listening to his set. From time to time, he would play a particularly rockin’ record, and he would come out from behind the DJ booth and bop along to it. That’s our Jumpy!

DJ Jumpy selects a rockin’ record from his box of discs at Rebel Night!

For the Boogaloo Bag writers, the treat of the evening was when DJ Junichi took to the turntables. He is one of our favorite people on the planet. Although he was one of the founders of Rebel Night, lately he has not been DJing much at events held at the Grand Victory, since his day job often finds him working nights. But somehow he was able to make the scene and selected a set of wild rock’n’roll and rockabilly records for the Rebel Night faithful.

DJ Junichi used a magic touch at Rebel Night!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus presented two sets of rock’n’roll 45s: a couple old favorites, a couple R&B things, a couple of crazy things–most of them over 200 BPM–and an awesome Link Wray record.

A.B.C. Always Be Cool! Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Rebel Night:

• The Strangers–Rockin’ Rebel (Titan)
• The Royaltones–Little Bo (Jubilee)
• The Misfits–Mess Around (Agar)
• K.J. Knight and the Niteriders–Mo-Jo (Live at the Upper Deck of the Rooster Tail) (Sound Patterns)
• The Creations–Shang Shang (Jamie)
• The Sonics–Money (Norton)
• King Size Taylor and the Dominoes–Bad Boy (Decca; UK)
• Andy and the Classics–Wilma (Hurd)
• The Standells–I’ll Go Crazy (Liberty)
• MC5–Back in the USA (Atlantic; Germany)
• Jerry Lee Lewis–I’m on Fire (Smash)
• Dave Phillips & the Hot Rod Gang–Tainted Love (Rockhouse; Netherlands)
• Los Sirex–El Tren de la Costa (Vergara; Spain)
• Warren Smith–Ubangi Stomp (Sun)
• Kip Tyler and His Flips–Jungle Hop (Challenge)
• Eddie Clearwater–Twist Like This (Federal)
• The Time Keepers–3 Minutes Heavy (Generation)
• The Bandidos–The Mark of Zorro (Elkay)
• The Undertakers–Mashed Potato (Pye; UK)
• Bern Elliott and the Fenmen–Nobody But Me (Decca; UK)
• Hollywood Hurricanes–Have Love Will Travel (Prima)
• Big Mama Thornton and Her Houndogs–Wade in the Water (Arhoolie)
• Erma Franklin–I Don’t Want No Mama’s Boy (Epic)
• The Lovers–Security (Checker)
• Link Wray and His Raymen–The Shadow Knows (Swan)
• Les Ombres–Teen Age Letter (Olympia; Belgium)
• The El Cobras–Oh Yeah (Last Night) (Essar)

None of these records are for sale

DJ Rata and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

April started out with a bang for Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. It all began with a trip to Allentown, Pennsylvania for the Original World Famous Semi-Annual 45/78 Only Record Expo, hosted by Surround Sound Productions at the Merchants Square Mall. This event actually took place on Saturday April 2, but The Boog, along with Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner, Yana Lil’ Jerk and Miss Melissa went up a day early to work the hotel room scene: Dozens of dealers in a nearby hotel set up little record stores in their respective rooms, buying and selling from each other, and any record collector who drops in. Man, did they buy records!

The Boog was able to pick up a few garage rock records (“Psycho” by The Swamp Rats, “Fight Fire” by The Fantastic Dee Jays), boss R&B (Bo Diddley’s very rare EP on Chess with the cardboard cover, all in most excellent shape!), some European pressings of Motown singles that feature tracks not available in the US, a few soul records, and some twist records, among other things. The Boog continuously purchases 45s in order to ensure that each DJ night is a unique experience and attendees are not subjected to the same dozen or so records at every event.

On the day of the Record Expo, more records were obtained; in all, a stack of 45s measuring about 6 and a half inches. Also, five 78s were picked up and they will be in the box for the next BIG TEN INCH.

On the night of April 2, The Boog was due to DJ at the Bootleg Bar: WHAM-O WATUSI, after driving all the way from Allentown back to Brooklyn. There was a little time to eat and unlax before driving out to Downtown Bushwick for the DJ gig. Guest was DJ Rata, a heavy, heavy cat with heavy, heavy records. In accordance with the recent international nature of the WHAM, Rata was born in Venezuela. Adding to that, he was accompanied by a young lass from Ireland!

DJ Rata in action at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Rata has his own night, Mambo Jambo, held at Otto’s Shrunken Head on the third Saturday of the month. Acording to the Otto’s web-o-site, “Resident DJ Ratta bring you a Night dedicated to Blues, R&B, Mambo, Cha Cha’s, Rock & Roll, Mento , Ska, Rocksteady, Surf, Rock & Roll, Exotica, Boogaloo, Doo Wop, Soul and more…” Huh? “And more?” What else is there!!! He’s named just about every reet sound you can think of! This is what makes the Mambo Jambo so groovy: it has it all! Also, this is what makes DJ Rata such a fine selector: he plays it all! He sure did so at the WHAM-O WATUSI, and we’d like to thank him for it.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus selects a record to play at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Below is a list of the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, including 17 that he picked up in Allentown. Expect to hear further new acquisitions at upcoming Boogaloo Omnibus events.

• The Rumblers–Boss Strikes Back (Dot)*
• The Jaguars–The Beat (impression; UK)*
• The Wailer’s–Shakedown (Etiquette)*
• The Pat Holben Trio–I Am the Greatest (Fortune)*
• Marty Wilson and the Strat-O-Lites–I’m All Woke Up (Decca)*
• The Flying Tornados–Chattanooga Drummer Man (Glendale)
• The Orlons–It’s No Big Thing (Cameo)
• Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons–Cheryl Ann (Palmer)
• The Headliners–Tonight’s the Night (V.I.P.)
• The Five-Du-Tones–Outside the Record Hop ‘Trying to Get In’ (One-Derful!)
• Don Fletcher–I’m So Glad (Peacock)
• Lonnie Russ featuring Pat Hunt–Tell Me How (4J)
• Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland and His Band–You Did Me Wrong (Duke)
• Ronnie Tyler & the Knighthawks–Mad Maggie (Avant Garde)
• Owen Gray–Walk All Over (Studio 1; Jamaica)
• Joe Liggins and His Orchestra–They Were Doin’ the Mambo (Mercury)
• Thomas Sisters–Donde Esta Santa Claus? (Chief)
• Los Johnny Jets–Un Poquito de Alma (CBS; Costa Rica)
• Curtis Lee–Pretty Little Angel Eyes (Dunes)
• Ricky Nelson–I’m Walkin’ (Verve)*
• Smiley Lewis–Shane, Shane, Shane (sic) (Imperial)
• The Bracelets–Waddle, Waddle (Congress)
• Elvis Presley–Long Legged Girl (With the Short Dress On) (RCA Victor)
• The Spirals–The Rockin’ Cow (Capitol)
• Connie Francis–Gonna Git That Man (M-G-M)
• Tony Gee–Freeze (Time)
• Kelly Garrett–The Boy on the Drums (Palomar)
• The Teen-Beats–Swimmin’ Part Two (Original Sound)
• Laurel Aitken–Bagaboo (Big Diamond)
• The Maytals–Peeping Tom (Beverley’s; Jamaica)
• James Brown at the Organ–Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (Smash)
• Bobby and Walter–Do It Like You Feel It (Sanns)
• Bobby Long & the Satelites–Stir It Up (Vegas)
• Cash McCall–More Power to You (PS)*
• Jodi Gales; music by Pillow of Strength–Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Savern)*
• Lou (Moondog) Lawton–$ & ¢ Dollars and Cents (Heart & Soul)*
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–I’ve Got Money (King)
• The Casuals–Money (That’s What I Want) (Minaret)
• The Riddlers–Batman Theme (Polydor; UK)
• Louis Jones–The Birds Is Coming (Decca)*
• Guadalajara Kings–Cu-Cu-Rru-Cu-Cu Paloma (Liberty)*
• Las Moscas–Prefiero Robar (Beg Borrow and Steal) (CBS; Peru)
• Bobby Russell and the Beagles–Roll Over Beethoven (Spar)
• Bern Elliott and the Fenmen–Nobody But Me (Decca; UK)
• The Gants–Road Runner (Liberty)
• Bo Diddley–Bo Meets the Monster [from EP Bo Diddley] (Chess)*
• Teddy Randazzo–Foot Sompin’ (ABC-Paramount)
• The Ineligibles–Do the Groove (Capella)
• Johnny Clark; The Four Playboys–Jungle Stomp (Norton)
• Ivi Pele and the Royal Samoans–Pago Pago Drums (49th State)
• The Individuals–Jungle Superman (Show Time)
• Stomp Gordon and his Orchestra–Ride Superman Ride (Savoy)
• Bobby Rydell–The Cha-Cha-Cha (Cameo)
• The Turtles–Buzz Saw (White Whale)
• Dave Berry–You’re Gonna Need Somebody (Decca; UK)
• Grant Higgins–Shame, Shame (Limelight)
• John Lee Hooker–Big Fine Woman (Elmor)
• Sunny and the Sunliners–Trick Bag (Tear Drop)
• Carlton Moore–Soul Jamaica (Tobin)
• Erric Barnett–Bumper to Bumper (Pama Supreme; UK)
• Mighty Sparrow–Calypso Boogaloo (RA; West Indies)
• King Errison–Samba D Jubilee (Canyon)
• John Torres and His Organ of Power–Caliente Baby ‘You Got It’ (Musart)
• Sam Samson and the Shufflers–Rockin’ Celinto (Verve)*
• Fantastic Dee-Jays–Fight Fire (Tri Power)*
• The Romancers–Love’s the Thing (Linda)
• Bake Turner–Violation (Rotate)*
• Donald Lautrec–Je Te L’Avais Bien Dit (Jupiter; Canada)
• Cliff Driver and His Orch.–Vosart (D-Tone)
• Ray Anthony–C’mon and Swim (Capitol)
• Sly Stewart–I Just Learned How to Swim (Autumn)
• Mike St. Shaw–Feel It (Capitol)
• Uno Dos Tres–Sugar Sugar (United Artists)
• The Sparks–Cool It (Cub)*
• Kip Anderson–I Feel Good (Everlast)
• The Astronauts–Movin’ (RCA; Japan)
• The Crickets–Maybe Baby (Brunswick)*
• Manfred Mann–When Will I Be Loved (United Artists)
• Shelton Dunaway & the Cupcakes–Honey Hush (Jin)
• Little Richard–Poor Boy Paul (Specialty)
• The Impacs–In the Midnight Hour (Sundi)

None of these records are for sale.

DJ Andy Upsetter FC played this cool Laurel Aitken 78!

The BIG TEN INCH has settled into its regular time-slot: the fourth Sunday of every other month. March’s BIG TEN INCH fell on Easter, so it should be no surprise that some of the folks who came to dig the shellac were dressed up like bunnies! Hi-Fi Bar looked like a rabbit farm!

Easter Bunnies swing at BIG TEN INCH!

78s were played by those who brought them: Jukebox Jonny (Grade A Fancy), Alex De Lazslo, Tony Salvaje, Malcolm Tent (Trash American Style), Michael McMahon (Susquehanna Industrial Tool and Die), Adam Lore (50 Miles of Elbow Room), Ted Barron, Andy Upsetter FC and newcomers Heather McCabe and Red Wing Mark.

Wonderful records were played. (See the gallery below for a sampling. Click on the image and it will scientifically Big-O-Fi.) Occasional swing dancing broke out. Pizza was devoured, as were the most excellent chocolate chip cookies that were baked by BOOGALOO BAG photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. Our friend and frequent BIG TEN INCH attendee Karen McBurnie brought pretzels and robins eggs, which likewise disappeared quickly.  Here’s hoping that snacks such as these are at all future BIG TEN INCH events!

Adam Lore

Alex De Laszlo

Andy Upsetter FC

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Heather McCabe

Juke Joint Jonny

Malcolm Tent

Michael McMahon

Red Wing Mark

Ted Barron

Tony Salvaje

Here’s a list of all the 78s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the BIG TEN INCH held on Easter Sunday:

• Big Jay McNeely–Ice Water (Federal)
• Cozy Cole–Strictly Drums (Guild)
• Duke Ellingtons and his Famous Orchestra–Raincheck (Victor)
• Cab Calloway and his Orchestra–Fifteen Minute Intermission (OKeh)
• Al ‘Jazzbo’ Collins–Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Capitol)
• Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra–Swing Street Strut (Bluebird)
• Dinah Washington with Teddy Stewart’s Orchestra–Fast Movin’ Mama (Mercury)
• Fats Waller and his Rhythm–I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (Victor)
• Ivory Joe Hunter–We’re Gonna Boogie (Pacific)
• Nervous Norvus–Transfusion (Dot)
• Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson–Bald Headed Blues (King)
• Wynonie ‘Blues’ Harris with Johnny Alston & His All Stars–Playful Baby (Apollo)
• Roy Brown with Earl M. Barnes and His Orchestra–Mighty Mighty Man (DeLuxe)
• Slim Gaillard and His Orchestra–Chicken Rhythm (Majestic)
• Freddie Mitchell Orchestra–Hog Head (Derby)
• Chano Pozo con Ritmo De Tambores–Ritmo Afro-Cubano No. 1 (SMC Pro-Arte)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten Inch Record (King)

None of these records are for sale.