By photojournalist Dan Fernandez
On Friday, May 30th, Jannus Live was transformed into a hub of energy and rhythm as Reverend Horton Heat was set to take the stage, igniting a fervor among devoted fans. The night began with an electrifying performance from Louisiana natives Nathan & Zydeco the Cha Cha’s, a group of musicians seasoned in the art of performance that is rooted deeply in their jazz origins since 1986.
Nathan Williams Sr., the Grammy-nominated, accordion wielding front man, led his band through a short but dynamic set that left the crowd both wanting more and primed for the headliner. Accompanying Nathan Williams on stage were Grammy-nominated bassist Allen Williams Sr, guitar virtuoso Dennis Pal Williams, the one and only Patrick “Pat” Landry on rubber board and Keith Sonnier Sr., a two-time Grammy winner whose drumming brought a thunderous rhythmic pulse to the performance. The mixture of master musicianship supplied layers of texture to their sound that resonated in each of their songs making their presence infectious both on and off the stage. At one point in the set both Nathan Williams Sr. and Landry ventured into the audience with their instruments, creating an engaging, immersive experience with their fans. While the set was brief, it was more than powerful and lively enough to usher in the headliner with the gusto that an act such as Reverend Horton Heat deserves.
As the applause from Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas faded, the anticipation for Reverend Horton Heat grew. Enter the man, the myth, the legend himself Jim Heath AKA Reverend Horton Heat and his Dallas group widely renowned as the “godfathers of rockabilly.” With nearly four decades of experience and a catalog of 13 albums under their belt, Reverend Horton Heat and his cohorts are a true cornerstone of the genre. Jonathan Jeter of Jonathan Jeter and the Revelators played percussion support, but it was dynamic duo of Jim Heath on guitar /vocals, alongside the steadfast Jimbo Wallace on upright bass that is a partnership that has withstood the test of time with their chemistry on full display each show that they perform.
Heath took the stage with his signature Gretsch 6120RHH, and it was clear from the first notes played that this was going to be a rowdy night. The setlist spanned 21 years and highlighted crowd-pleasers such as “Psychobilly Freak Out”, “400 Bucks”, “Jimbo Song”, “D is for Dangerous,” and “Baddest of the Bad.” Added to the long list of originals played throughout the night were covers of Johnny Cash’s “Big River” and Jerry Byrne’s “Light’s Out”. Each song echoed through the night, creating an environment in which a diverse crowd composed of fans of all ages united in their love of rockabilly’s gritty and sometimes humorous elegance.
The Reverend and Jimbo’s enthusiastic interactions with the audience proved that the band’s deep-rooted connection with their fans still holds strong as ever. The night ended with an encore that left everyone in attendance beyond satisfied, including songs “Whole New Life,” “Bales of Cocaine,” and a raucous cover of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” that may have brought the roof down if Jannus were not an open-air venue.
Reverend Horton Heat, with their unparalleled energy, longevity and spirit, turned Jannus Live into a celebration of rockabilly and psychobilly culture. Coupled with the vibrant tunes of Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, the night spoke to the power of community which has long been a driving force in the punk and punk adjacent scenes. I Know I’ve said it before Punk’s surely not dead, but neither is Rockabilly.
