The Tremors Demon Boogie Fever CD Review

The baddest band to ever crawl out of the foothills of North Carolina, The Tremors; have returned with another heaping helping dose of unadulterated, good timin’ slap yo mama in the mouth Rockabilly backed with a snort of white lightning! This new effort from the boys is called Demon Boogie Fever and while the disc has thirteen tracks, the album barely breaks the twenty-five-minute mark.

In true Tremors fashion there are a few cover tunes on this disc, never fear; you’ve probably never heard them unless you’re a fan of The Phantom, The Cramps or Little Richard. And while I love The Cramps more than air, quite a few of the songs they recorded weren’t theirs which turned me onto other amazing artists. I have the same admiration for The Tremors as they’re following in The Cramps footsteps with dusting off these older tunes and giving them a facelift. Of course, the band puts their own twist on the tunes. “Rockin’ Bones” is a revved-up ass shakin’ ditty that might even rival The Cramps version. “Rock Boppin’ Baby” has a lot more feel and meat than the original Edwin Bruce released way back when. Perkin’s bass slaps cement this track as a solid standout coupled with Stretch’s slick back beat. “Screamin’ Mimi” and the title track “Demon Boogie Fever” are two of the best Tremors originals I think I’ve ever heard. Jimmy Tremor’s vocals and guitar prowess on both tunes are killer; his guitar tone is warm and rich with color; this sort of tone could only come from a Gibson hollow-body guitar. And Tremor’s wailin’ voice is a howling good time. Lux Interior would be damned proud to hear these vocals, I can only hope he heard the band before he passed away. Jimmy really shows out on Little Richard’s “I Got It”, the whole band does truthfully. I’d never really thought much of Richard’s version, but this one makes me wanna jump and shout! It’s a runnin’ fit waiting to happen.

Once more, The Tremors have unleashed what should be considered a classic Rockabilly masterpiece in Demon Boogie Fever. I’m not sure if it’s the water in North Carolina, the band’s influences or the sheer love they have for their craft, but it shines through in every song on this album. In my opinion if Sun Records were still releasing albums today, The Tremors would be on the label and Sam Phillips would be doing cart wheels over the band! Demon Boogie Fever is an album that you need in your collection, don’t hesitate, get it today!

~Black Angel