Jason Krekel: vocals, juke-joint guitar, fiddle, foot drums.
Influences
Hasil Atkins, Doctor Ross, 5 Royales, Chuck Berry, Wanda Jackson, Bo Diddley, The Equals, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Nelson, Fats Waller, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Reigning Sound, Lightnin' Wells, Charlie Feathers, Lee Dorsey, Squeeze, Cheap Suit Serenaders, Blue Rags, Beatles, Louie Bluie, The Hollies, The Cats & The Fiddle, Tobacco Tags, Baby Gramps, Fats Domino, John Hartford, Fleetwood Mac, Charlie Christian, Julia Lee, Abbott Vaughn Meader, King Kahn & BBQ Show, Nancy Sinatra, Michael Hurley, Link Wray, boogie woogie, doo wop, light rock (really), and much much more than we could ever list here.
Mad Tea Party brews up rock 'n' roll, retro-pop and honky tonk to create a fresh and intoxicating sound. "It's B-52s meets Buddy Holly with a lot more thump." Musical conspirators Ami Worthen and Jason Krekel serve up an exciting live show to music lovers thirsty for upbeat, original refreshment. Delicious harmonies glide over electrified ukulele, juke-joint guitar, scratchy fiddle and pulsing foot percussion. Catchy songs about love, life, sex and dancing are steeped in raw rockabilly with shreds of doo wop and devilish blues. Drink deep - Mad Tea Party concocts a musical recipe that will make you boogie.
The word on the street...
"More a spectacle than a traditional two-person band, Mad Tea Party consists of vocalist and ukulele strummer Ami Worthen and guitarist, fiddler and drummer Jason Krekel. As Worthen reels out charming and quirky songs with an arch sense of humor, Krekel does double- and triple-duty, creating the illusion of a much bigger band with only two arms and two legs. It's a sight to behold...but Mad Tea Party's unique sound is just as worthy of note. A bubbly amalgam of juke-joint blues, pop, tiki exotica and rockabilly, the band has honed an approach that is unique and affecting." - Metro Santa Cruz
“Worthen jump-starts the beat on soprano ukulele while ace musician Krekel fortifies the groove on electric guitar, plus two drums and a cymbal he plays with pedals. The results will have listeners up and dancing.” – WNC Magazine
"Who said two people couldn't sound and play like five?" - The Village Idiot
"If The White Stripes and Southern Culture on the Skids mated, had fraternal twins and raised them to rock out with ukulele accompaniment, we would have Asheville, NC’s Mad Tea Party." - Southeast Performer
"The duo from Asheville plays rockabilly, early punk, old time, and 1960s rock and roll (among others) with a Buddy Holly swagger and the authenticity of 1930s street performers." - PopMatters
“A collection of infectious indie stompers and honky-tonk pop tunes that make sitting still not an option…FOUND A REASON is a jaunty, high-speed romp through the theatrical Americana made popular by groups like Southern Culture on the Skids." - Bold Life Magazine
"Hipsters rejoice...Mad Tea Party, made up of Jason Krekel and Ami Worthen, offer up good ol’ raw rock ‘n’ roll." - On Tap Magazine (Washington, D.C.)
"Garage-rock radness with boy-girl vocals and thumping foot-drums." - KUCI 88.9 FM, California
"When guitarist Jason Krekel climbs up and down the frets of his guitar, he plucks the strings with an energy Elvis would respond to, and their songwriting channels that of Chuck Berry." - Beyond Race Magazine
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You guys really do rock, and i have enjoyed you guys for the last several years, but on new years stretch you guys dominated.! Your right up there at the top for me!!! ALoooooha from Hawaii!!!
Jason, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I am glad that his music lives on through you. He must have been very proud of his talented son.
OH YEAH !!! it was GREAT to see you all in living colour !! It had been too long.. great show, good fun and not too long before it's again done !! Travel safe, enjoy the weddings, Long live Retro-Pop-A-Billy !!
It was a pleasure seeing you guys tonight!! You guys ROCK!! Thanks for sharing your talent, inspiration, and positive vibrations. Have a wonderful week and I hope to see you guys real soon. :-) XO, E