NIC ROULETTE - Song & Dance Man -
RONNIE CRUTCHER - Gretsch Slingin and Singin -
GEOFF FIREBAUGH- Doghouse Bass, Rickenbacker, Vocals -
ANDREW DICKSON - Drums, Rush Trivia, Waking Up Happy
Influences
Elvis Presley, Jason and the Scorchers, The Ramones, Joe Clay, Stray Cats, The Clash, Black Sabbath, Bobby Darin, Bel Biv Devoe, Johnny Cash, The Red Balled Jets...
WHITE LIGHTNIN'
shoe leather
Get Rhythm- Live in Atlanta on Johnny Cash's Birthday
PRETTYBABY/PBR
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 Nashvillians) 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 recieved standing ovations, and had new fans lining up to get their debut CD 'Sucker Punched'.
Now they've got three full length CD's under their belt. 'Sucker Punched', (Dec.2006), 'Three Step Windup' (April,2008) and 'Hang Your Stockings..... Say Your Prayers' the band's Christmas CD (Nov, 2008). Each one totally DIY, produced and engineered by Firebaugh and Dickson and recorded in Andrew Dickson's garage, lovingly known as 'Studio D'. Each CD blends elements of honkytonk, rockabilly, psychobilly, and straight up rock and roll. Every member of the Hillbilly Casino brings their own special flavor to the band, from Nic's background in hip hop and rockabilly, to Geoff's love of old school punk rock and ska, and you'll find elements of all of this in every Hillbilly Casino record and show. 2008 also saw the release of 'Buy-in' a full length Documentary by Doug Farrar at Rockstep Creative. Doug followed the band around for over a year, attending dozens of shows, and collecting performance, and interview footage, which he compiled into a revealing look at a band just trying to make a living and have fun.
While you'll see alot of bands sitting around waiting to get 'signed', the Hillbilly Casino took a cue from bands like Black Flag, Fugazi, and Youth Brigade, booking their own tours, and producing and releasing their own CD's and T-shirts, and spending hundreds of hours in their old grey econoline van getting the rock 'n' roll out to the people. From thirty minute opening slots, to 3 and 4 hour marathon sets, these boys are gonna bring their 'A' game, and you'll probably get tired before they do.
Contact Info:
www.thehillbillycasino.com
www.myspace.com/hillbillycasino
Booking info:
Jacob Rosswog
Jacobrosswog@gmail.com
Additional Info –
The Hillbilly Casino has performed along with the following national Acts…
Brian Setzer Orchestra (7 shows), Rev. Horton Heat, Los Straightjackets, Southern Culture on the Skids, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, The Horrorpops, The Cramps, Wanda Jackson, The Blasters, The Supersuckers, 7 Shot Screamers, Koffin Kats, Flatfoot 56, Lonesome Spurs, Three Blue Teardrops. Rancid and Doyle Bramhall.
The Hillbilly Casino has performed at these festivals and venues…
Gibson Amphitheater (Hollywood CA), Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN), House Of Blues (Chicago, IL), Headliners (Louisville, KY), Exit/In (Nashville, TN), Mercy Lounge (Nashville, TN) Bergenfest (Bergen, Norway), Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival (Kilkenny, Ireland), Rockin’ 50’s Fest (Green Bay, WI), State Theater (Detroit, MI), Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA), Rocketown (Nashville, TN), Rodeo Bar (New York, NY)
Members of Hillbilly Casino are endorsed by King Doublebass, Fender Bass Amplification, and Gretsch Guitars.
NOV 13TH- De los Muertos from Ky. Lane Kristian and the Jakehead Mob. Opening artist- Lance Whalen- solo. $5
NOV 14TH Dr. Jay and Miss Diana w/ Aaron and the Blues at Sunrise NO COVER CHARGE!
NOV 19TH DASH RIP ROCK from Louisiana, recently headlined third day at Heavy Rebel Weekender and celebrating 25 years togehter. Rock and Roll Hooligans and the Shaky Devilles will be rockin' as well! $5
NOV 2OTH GODDAMN GALLOWS, w/ Viva Le Vox and Hellfire Revival This is also King Daddo's Birfday! (Nashville Voodoo Radio)$5
NOV 21ST CASHMAN w/ The JugHuggers $5
NOV 27TH The Dean Martinis - Swing Dance Party! $5
NOV 28TH- Pearls Mahone w/ Joshua Hedley and the Hellfire Revival $5
DEC 2ND The Magnificent Tapeworms from Illinois- Wierd Surf Rock
DEC 5TH Johnny Law Justice
DEC 9TH The Brittany Reilly Band from NC- Real good country.
DEC 12TH HARRY FONTANA TRIO w/ Atomic Boogie from ATL. $5
JAN 10TH PINE HILL HAINTS w/ The Can Kickers and the Here We Go Boys $5
MAY 28,29,30 2010 Muddy Roots Music Festival in Cookeville TN Wayne Hancock, Dash Rip Rock, Los Duggans, Jason and the Punknecks, Hillbilly Harlots, Travis Mann Band, Cashman..MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
I just got a different position ("grab your ankles") at work this week and I still don't know if I'll have Friday off but I REALLY want to come down and see you guys at The Rail!!! XOXO I HOPE I'll see you then! <3
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