When does something that looks and sounds retro or classic, actually become a new and different thing altogether?
It’s hard to do, and believe me people have tried with varying degrees of success. But, that is just what is happening with a band out of Orange County California, THE JACKPOT CLUB!
By first appearances THE JACKPOT CLUB would seem like just another rockabilly band. Take a twangy guitar and an upright bass, mix in a swingin’ drummer, salt to taste, etc. But after listening to TJC take the crowd through a set or two of music you begin to realize that this is much more than just a ‘rockabilly’ band! No other trio would take the crowd (in just one set, mind you) from bar-room rock-n-roll of a classic like ‘Mercury Blues’ or ‘Seven Nights To Rock’, to a rocked-up Cajun swing ‘Jambalaya; or the crooning of Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’! Who would dare move from the Las Vegas swing of Sam Butera to Nick Lowe’s punky power-pop to Louis Jordan’s rhythm and boogie? Who? Really?
Only...
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When does something that looks and sounds retro or classic, actually become a new and different thing altogether?
It’s hard to do, and believe me people have tried with varying degrees of success. But, that is just what is happening with a band out of Orange County California, THE JACKPOT CLUB!
By first appearances THE JACKPOT CLUB would seem like just another rockabilly band. Take a twangy guitar and an upright bass, mix in a swingin’ drummer, salt to taste, etc. But after listening to TJC take the crowd through a set or two of music you begin to realize that this is much more than just a ‘rockabilly’ band! No other trio would take the crowd (in just one set, mind you) from bar-room rock-n-roll of a classic like ‘Mercury Blues’ or ‘Seven Nights To Rock’, to a rocked-up Cajun swing ‘Jambalaya; or the crooning of Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’! Who would dare move from the Las Vegas swing of Sam Butera to Nick Lowe’s punky power-pop to Louis Jordan’s rhythm and boogie? Who? Really?
Only one band dares to and THE JACKPOT CLUB dares, and does!
THE JACKPOT CLUB was hatched from the semi-fertile mind of Vocalist/Guitarist Andy Winston. A true rock & roll soul (Citizen Fear, The Tickets, Spindizzys, ‘Lectric Chairs, MOJOMASTER!), Andy was raised around the swingin’ sounds of Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima and Count Basie before discovering the sound of the electric guitar. And it was only after his dreams of being ‘the next Ted Nugent’ waned (thank goodness!), that Andy began to cut his teeth during the punk heyday of 79-81. His band Citizen Fear (see compilation Killed by Death #13) played the legendary Southern California punk rock clubs of the day. The 1980’s and 90’s saw Andy spending over 1,000 nights on stage
with Orange County power-pop stars The Tickets, including recording the collectible cassette-only release, “Make A Record”, that was recently re-released on CD by Brewery Records.
But in spite of this long and storied history, Andy felt something was missing. Something was calling. Something primal and rootsy. The idea for a new band began to form in his mind, and almost against his will.
His vision, you ask?
To have a band with the roots of rock-n-roll and the heavy power of punk, but the swing and dance-floor filling energy of jump-blues. Could he reach back to a time when songs had energy and excitement, but keep an edge that would remain relevant to today’s audiences? As you know, there are a lot of ‘revivalist’ and ‘fashionable’ classic rock and
tribute bands out there, but Andy couldn’t and wouldn’t let THE JACKPOT CLUB play that game. “The filter through which I live music didn’t stop at 1959 or end with one artist. It continued through the electric blues of the 60’s, the 1970’s rock and punk, as much as it reaches back to the swing and blues of 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s”, says Andy.
Did our hero achieve his dream?
Yes he did! And you need to hear THE JACKPOT CLUB for yourself!
Drummer/Vocalist Joel Tetzlaff is a drum industry veteran with more than 30 years of drumming experience, both on stage and in the studio. His passion for the drums started as a teen after picking up his first pair of drum sticks, and he has never looked back since. His battle scars have been earned with various bands throughout Southern California performing in classic rock, top 40 and tribute situations. Joel is always striving to put on the best show and sound for THE JACKPOT CLUB.
THE JACKPOT CLUB is at home on the largest of concert stages, having opened shows for national headline acts such as The Mavericks, Billy Vera & The Beaters, The Stray Cat Lee Rocker, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, The Headcat, 3 Bad Jacks, Albert Lee & John Jorgensen, Big Sandy & The Fly-Rite Boys, Jimmie Vaughan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and
The Royal Crown Revue, as they are in the smallest of bars playing 4-5 sets of music and leading the party charge!
And it’s in those hot and sweaty venues where the dance floor is swingin’ and the drinks are slingin’ is where The Jackpot Club excels.
Let them provide the soundtrack for your next event!
