If you're a big fan of the Kardashians, American Idol and Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" ("I'm in love with your body..."), you probably would've had a lousy time at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 21.
The annual event, which took over the Orleans Hotel & Casino on Sin City's West Tropicana Avenue this past weekend, is pretty much a celebration of everything the mainstream is not. After all, the biggest draws at the popular event are pre-1964 hot rods, authentic Fifties clothing, burlesque shows, Sailor Jerry-style tattoos, a jiving contest and, of course, a slew of rockabilly, throwback and straight-up, slicked-back rock and roll bands.
Above, you can watch fan-filmed footage of the rockabilly masters—Brian Setzer (vocals, guitar), Lee Rocker (bass) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums)—performing "Runaway Boys," their 38-year-old debut single and one of the records that helped kick off the rockabilly revival of the early Eighties (which some say is still going strong). Below, you can watch them perform 1982's "Built for Speed" from a bit later in the set (Note: Please excuse the low-quality video and almost complete lack of bass; if you find a better version of either performance on YouTube, let us know in the comments below).
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
