"Instead of sticking to one genre," says Doghouse Lords guitarist Chopper, "I like to take all of my influences (some of which are country, blues, and rockabilly) and try to come up with something different." RM readers will recall Chopper from such past endeavors as Mr. Badwrench, Charley Horse, and the legendary Cramps. But Doghouse Lords allows him particular vent. Assisting in this are Blasters John Bazz and Bill Bateman. (Look for another onetime Blaster, piano man Gene Taylor, on one track.) The vibe, here -- as with the Nighthawks -- is one of roots resurgent. Or, perhaps more accurately, ones that never really ebbed, resplendent now in vibrant, smoky glory. "Pedal To the Metal" flies at mad throttle, its headlong narrative hijacking observers for a one-way thrill ride. (Incidentally, Bazz appears only on this single track. He apparently became a full member after Chopper had laid down all other bass tracks.) In listening to several tracks on "Diggin' At the Doghouse," one perceives something akin to the "Roadhouse Blues" Doors. The echo is heard in both arrangements and singer Javier's emotive deliveries. (And, indeed, previous DL reviewers have observed as much.) But Javier mostly dismisses such comparisons. "I've listened to the Doors as much or little as the next guy with an FM Radio," he emailed RM. "If there's any similarity it's purely accidental and maybe physical in nature. I do share [Jim Morrison's] passion for blues, however. I recall Jim Morrison only wanting to play blues in the end? Righteous. Howlin Wolf influenced us both I think and that's where the kinship lies."
ROCKABILLY MAGAZINE