Playing what has been dubbed "Hot-Rod Rockabilly," this Illinois trio takes the traditional rockabilly sound and soups it up with a high-octane edge. The Blacktops play more towards the raw rock influences of bands like The Black Crowes, throw in a little throttle, and combine the groove of Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran to create danceable music without the thinness of pure rockabilly.
"Its basically rock-n-roll, with a punk feel to it," says guitarist/vocalist Jim Rotramel. Crediting Dallas Alice's frontman Sean Hopkins with the nickname "Skinny" (its from an Eddie Cochran song), the Number 9 Blacktops take their name from an old country road outside of Hill and Rotramel's hometown of West Frankfort, Illinois. "We'd drag race CR 250s until our knuckles bled," says Rotramel.
Rotramel released the freshman album "Hickory-Smoked Rockabilly" in 2003, working with Louisville, Kentucky's Sean Hopkins and Nashville, Tennessee's Ross Sermons. In early 2006, the Blacktops moved from the studio to the live venues. Consisting of Taylor Sprehe on drums, and Randy Hill on slap bass, the Blacktops lineup is on fire. In September, 2007, the Blacktops finished up their second album, "Horsepower, Horsepower," produced by Rick Miller of the Yep Roc trashabilly band "Southern Culture on the Skids." The Blacktops tracked at Miller's Kudzu Ranch, and went with Dave Harris at Studio B for the mastering.
In March of 2008, Rotramel became officially endorsed by Gretsch Guitars! "A true honor.....I get to open up for Chuck Berry, and get endorsed by Gretsch in the same week!" In January 2009, Randy Hill became endorsed by Engelhardt basses, and is excited to be working with them.
When he's not fronting the Blacktops, Rotramel can be found at Carbondale, Illinois' Tuff Luck Tattoos (618-549-2034), poking holes in kids for cash. Hill runs the traditional Chop Shop Barber Shop in Marion, Illinois. Stop in and hit him up for a free trim! Make sure and check out Darrell Mankin at darrellmankin.org. Darrell snapped all the black and white photos in our pics section, and is America's finest old-school photographer, hands down. For booking, merch, or just to check out more of The Number 9 Blacktops, go to skinnyjimrocks.com.
Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops's Friend Space (Top 26)
Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops has 2572 friends.
Hey!! Sorry we missed John Browns! I really wanted to go, but being knocked up isn't for the bars! I sure miss seeing you guys though!! Dylan requested your disc the other day while driving-she loves her Skimmy Jimmy!!
Ole,
We're going to be playing at Booby's this Friday, the 16th, with Amo
Joy (creators of some massive-psychedelic-pop circusness) from
Indianapolis, and Drunk Virago.
LOL! You guys have arrived! A band in Germany about 6000 miles from Franklin County is now singing about #9 Blacktop--a road we all drive at least a couple of times a month! I am glad that "Hotwire" plays it straight. "Firecracker Cadillac" sounds a lot better than "Firecracker BMW" or "Firecracker Audi".
Seriously thjough, youse guise have to be the first southern Illinois band to be covered by a German combo.
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