Reunited DC Moptop Rockers, the British Walkers

Steve Kiviat — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:38:11 +0000

From 1964 to 1968, the British Walkers were one of DC’s top rock bands. They played many nights a week at the Roundtable in Georgetown, released a number of singles, and did some shows in England. Now, due to the efforts of longtime local rockabilly/roots rocker Billy Hancock, they have reunited decades later for some gigs and will be at tiny JV’s in Falls Church for two sold-out shows Sunday and Monday. Led by singer Bobby (also spelled Bobbie) Howard, the group played Motown and Stax covers and some originals inspired by the British Invasion bands—the Beatles, the Who, and the Kinks.

Last Saturday night I was one of the few folks under the age of 60 in a crowd of around 80 people seeing them at Winston’s in Rockville. I would have thought that more young DC rock fans would have been curious to check out the group. Perhaps the hefty ticket price, the lack of publicity, and the not on Metro location kept folks away. The band once featured the late Roy Buchanan (better known for his bluesier efforts and for reportedly being invited to join the Rolling Stones) on guitar. At Winston’s the 67-year-old Howard, the one original member, was joined by onetime Walkers Steve Lacey (drums), Jack Brooks (bass) and Geoff Richardson (guitar, who later was a member of DC band Crank). Billy Hancock sat in with the band on guitar and vocals. Members of onetime DC group Fallen Angels attended the gig as did Kim Kane from the Slickee Boys.

Howard had once played with Link Wray and led a prior group called Bobbie & the Hi-boys, but reportedly had not sung in years. At Winston’s he alternated on vocals with Billy Hancock. Howard apparently needed to rest his voice. When he did take the mic, he sang with a raspy, early Rod Stewart-like blue-eyed soul approach. The group did Bo Diddley's "Diddley Daddy," the early soul and rock standard “Shake,” “The Girl Can’t Help It,”and some garage-rocked-up Stax and Motown compositions just like the old days. Ideally, for their second set of reunion gigs, Howard will be able to sing more. Hancock is not bad, but he is not whom people are coming to see.

The British Walkers July 19 and July 20 at JVs, 6666 Arlington Blvd. (Rt. 50) Falls Church Va. (sold out)

New Arrivals @ Crooked Beat

Jason Cherkis — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:14:12 +0000

Link Wray looking supercool.

Crooked Beat sent along this e-mail with a list of new arrivals at their shop. Includes Link Wray, the Wedding Present, and the new Animal Collective LP.

List after the jump.

Just to name a few of the Used titles that have recently come in..

Billy Bragg – Workers Playtime

? (Question Mark) and the Mysterions – 96 Tears

Link Wray – The Link Wray Rumble

The Wedding Present – Tommy

The Wedding Present – Don't Try and Stop Me, Mother

Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited

The Buzzcocks – A Different Kind of Tension

The Rolling Stones – Aftermath (mono!)

The Kinks – A Golden Hour of the Kinks Vol 2

Devo – New Traditionalists (comes with 7")

The Jive 5 – Our True Story

The Kingsmen – Up and Away!

The Hollies – Buddy Holly (a record of Buddy Holly covers)

Frankie Lymon – Rock n Roll

Nat King Cole – For Sentimental Reason (picturedisc!)

Thelonious Monster – Next Saturday Afternoon

Eddie Taylor – Still Not Ready For Eddie

...and a bunch of great 50s and 60s comps

and New stuff:

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

V/A – Dark Was The Night

Belle & Sebastian – BBC Sessions

Whiskeytown – Strangers Almanac

David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Fear – The Record

Minor Threat -S/T (now with mp3 download)

Mi Ami – Watersports

Deerhunter – Microcastle/The Weird Era Continued (now on gatefold vinyl)

Dan Auerbach – Keep it Hid

Pains Of Being Pure at Heart - S/T

February Top Sellers

1. animal collective – merriweather post pavilion lp/cd

2. benjy ferree – come back to the five and dime, bobby dee bobby dee cd

3. andrew bird – noble beast lp/cd

4. fleet foxes – s/t lp/cd

5. V/A – dark was the night lp/cd

6. dan auerbach – keep it hid lp/cd

7. m ward – hold time lp/cd

8. deerhunter – microcastle lp

9. sigur ros – med sud I eyrum... lp/cd

10. jay reatard – matador singles 08 lp/cd

*photo of Link Wray courtesy of Gibson.

Arts Desk » Link Wray

Reunited DC Moptop Rockers, the British Walkers

New Arrivals @ Crooked Beat