April 15th 2024 The Chop Tops announce a reunion at select Festivals and venues in 2025 celebrating the release of their 7th album Fabrikate! The band was a rockabilly trio from Santa Cruz, California consisting of Sinner (vocals/standing drums), Shelby (guitar), and Josh (upright bass). The band was formed by Sinner in 1995, Shelby joined in 1999, and Josh took over bass duties in 2014. The band coined the phrase "Revved-Up Rockabilly" to describe their wild, upbeat blend of rockabilly, psychobilly, old punk, teddy boy, and surf music genres. The Chop Tops headlined their own national tours,[1] toured with bands like Mad Sin and the Nekromantix, and opened for many bands, including the Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, Dick Dale, John Lee Hooker, and Chuck Berry.[2]
The Chop Tops | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Santa Cruz, California, United States |
| Genres | Rockabilly, psychobilly, punk, surf, Teddy Boy, rock and roll |
| Years active | 1995–2015 |
| Members | Sinner Shelby Josh |
| Past members | Flyin' Brian (guitar) Rockin' Drew (drums) Ray "Gun" (bass) Dylan "The Man" Cavaliere (bass) T.K. (bass) Hotrod (bass) Brett (bass) K.C. (bass) |
| Website | www.thechoptops.com |
Other accomplishments included having three of their songs featured in the video game WET,[3] performing at several Warped Tours, and many years of playing the annual rockabilly festival Viva Las Vegas. In April 2012, the band made their first international tour appearing at dates across Australia (they were asked back and returned for another Australian tour in June 2013).[4] The Chop Tops were sponsored by Murray's Pomade.[5] Murray's has sponsored only two bands in its 90-year history, the Stray Cats and the Chop Tops. The group was also sponsored and endorsed by Gretsch guitars, Jim Dunlop, and T.U.K. shoes.
The Chop Tops made their final appearance on April 3, 2015, at the 18th annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. The band was joined by guest performers Chantilly Lace Vincent (granddaughter of Gene Vincent) and Mario Valens (Ritchie Valens' younger brother).
Discography
edit- Revved-Up Rockabilly (1997) Swillbilly Music
- Tales of Hot Rods, Hot Broads & Lucky Odds! (1999) Swillbilly Music, Producer: Deke Dickerson
- Always Wild (2000) Rollin' Rock Records[6]
- Evil Six (2001) Swillbilly Music
- Triple Deuces[7] (2006) Split 7 Records
- Deadly Love[8] (2010) Swillbilly Music, Producer & Assistant Engineer: Kim Nekroman, Mastered by Maor Appelbaum
- Evil Six: Revisited[9] (2012) Swillbilly Music
- Fabrikate - Release date of Jan 2025 - Swillbilly Music
Compilation albums
edit- Good Rockin’ Tonight! Volumes I & II (2000) Purist Records
- Someday Coming Down: A Deviant Twang Sampler (2004) Warning Sign Records
- Hicks with Sticks – A Town North Of Bakersfield (2005) Cracked Piston Recordings
- Return Of The Hot Rod Zombies (2005) Split 7 Records
- Clash of The Billys Rumble #1 (2007) Terror .45 Records
- Revenge Of The Hot Rod Zombies (2008) Boss Beat
- Rebels of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 1 (2008) Straight Razor Records
- Rebels of Rock N Roll No. 2 (2009) Straight Razor Records
Film appearance
edit- Flying Saucer Rock 'N' Roll (2006)[10]
References
edit- ^ "Tour Dates". thechoptops.com. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ "Performers They've Played With". thechoptops.com. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "Wet - Music". Giant Bomb - CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ^ Pierce, Jacob (2012-06-19). "Chop Tops Blast Billy Audiences Away". santacruz.com. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ DuShane, Tony (2007-02-15). "The Chop Tops". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ "Rollin' Rock Records". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "Triple Deuces on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ "Deadly Love on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ "Evil Six: Revisited on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ "Flying Saucer Rock 'N' Roll on the Internet Movie Database". IMDb. Retrieved 2009-11-09.