Rocket 88

Rocket 88

Rocket 88 is a group from Oxford active from 2005 to the present, associated with roots rock and hill county blues, and also tagged with rockabilly, swing, neo-swing, boogie, and rhythm & blues.

Overview

The name Rocket 88 has been used by more than one band, but this group is the American rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll act that forms in Orlando in 1992 and later continues under the name Rocket 88 into the 2000s. The band centres on vocalist Michael Bales, guitarist Marko Zayas, bassist Chuck Zayas, drummer Steve Plotnick, and pianist Terry Mooney.

Releases and recognition

Rocket 88 releases a four-song EP, Mission to Mars, which receives favourable attention from national publications including Alternative Press and Blue Suede News. Two tracks from the EP appear on the compilation Stateside Rockabilly, issued by NV Records and distributed in Europe and Japan.

The following year the band issues the 15-track CD Rock Around. It wins the Jammy Award for “State’s Best Independent Release” and also receives a “Best Band” Jammy Award. In 2005 the band releases Alien Attack, a CD built around original songs with a harder-edged sound and outer-space and B-movie themes.

Live work and collaborations

Rocket 88 plays major venues in the United States, including The Windows on the World, The Roxy and The Supper Club in New York City; The Aragon Ballroom and The Liquid in Chicago; Clutch Cargo in Detroit; and several House of Blues venues. The band also performs with Jerry Lee Lewis, The Cramps, Southern Culture on the Skids, Reverend Horton Heat, Sleepy LaBeef, Dick Dale and Royal Crown Revue, among others. Its stage performances become known for being eccentric and high-energy.