What an amazing show. I really love the stuff they played with Kaiser George. I originally bought the Twist Party album the day it came out, and I thought it was just 'okay' at the time. However, it's grown on me and I was very happy to see them play songs like 'Twist Party', 'Twistin' Gorilla', 'Twistin' in the Rain', 'Twist and Grind', and 'Peppermint Twist'. Also, Kaiser George is great on the saxophone, too, as he demonstrated on songs like 'Mad Scientwist' and 'Foot Stomp'. Then, of course, there are Los Straitjackets' older songs, which all sounded incredible. I was very pleased to hear standards such as 'Casbah', 'Kawanga', 'Itchy Chicken', and their awesome version of The Munsters Theme. The show was also very pleasing visually as well, with the hypnotic dancing of the world famous Pontani Sisters. What more could you want?

As far as instro shows go, I think Los Straitjackets put on one of the best. Every time I've seen them, the place is full of energy. The crowd really gets into it when they see how talented the band really is. There was a great exchange during the encore between Eddie Angel and Jason Smay where Eddie would go nuts on his Dipinto, and then Jason would wail on his drums for a few minutes. It was incredible to watch. Speaking of Jason Smay, I thought he did a wonderful job. At first I was a little cautious; replacing Jimmy Lester seems like an impossible task, but Jason played amazingly well. I'd say he's filled the mask nicely. I spoke with him after the show, and he seemed really nice and appreciative. I also got to talk to Eddie Angel, who is one of my heroes. That was a real treat. Lastly, I approached the Pontani Sisters, croaked out an embarrassingly feeble and awkward hello to each of them and got the hell out of there to someplace where I could breathe. It was kind of funny; I almost fell down when they said hello to me. I'm sure I was beet red, too. Oh well.

All in all, it was an amazing night. Can't wait to see them again. If they're coming to your area, do yourself a favor and attend. You'll be glad you did.

http://www.straitjackets.com/main2.html

Hey Jon, they were in Champaign the night before they played the Columbus show. Put on a great show here as always. When they come here, they always play the song "Close to Champaign" from "The Velvet Touch of...". We were lucky enough to interview Pedro Del Mar on the radio show and he relayed the very shocking and poignant truth about the title of the song..."we wrote it in a car somewhere close to Champaign".

Jon, did you see anybody at the show wearing a blue FOM fez? Just curious.

Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com

are these guys gonna come to memphis? dont know why they would but i would like to see 'em! the beach boys came here in the 60s i think. whatever. the city across the river is such a surf music magnet

I saw them in Chicago right before Halloween and Jon is right this show is steller. I've seen the Straitjackets with the Pontani's a few times but never w/ Kaiser George and his addition and the whole "Twist Party" theme really goes together well. I was pretty excited that Kaiser George had heard of and rememberd us on myspace. After the show I was lucky enough to hang out with them and Pete Curry said he had Eddie Bertrand and Paul Johnson's numbers on cell phone. They are really nice guys.

"as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"

https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/

I've been lucky enough to open for Los Straitjackets about 6 years ago, saw their Christmas Pageant last year (with Kaiser George and The World Famous Pontani Sisters), opened for their Twist Party last month in Washington, then took the little woman to see them again the following night in Portland.

It's obvious that they aren't on stage to play a bunch of their songs... they're there to put on a show and entertain! Not only is their show amazing, those guys are the epitome of class. I was able to chat a bit with all of them, and they're all very approachable. The girls are hilarious and Kaiser George said he liked our version of "Valley of The Kaisers," (whew!!). Danny flopped down on a couch with us before our set and yacked for a half hour or so. After the Bellingham and Portland shows Daddy-O, Jason and the Pontani Sisters came out to say hello to the people and they all seemed to enjoy it. The t-Shirt Daddy-O wears after the show puts it into perspective... it says "I heart My Fans". How cool is that?!!

If there's anyone on this list who hears radio commercials for Smith's grocery stores (Nevada, Utah), you'll hear "A Taste of Champaign" in the background... I (and a fellow LS fan) work in an ad agency.

Yeah, I'm a LS fan. Go see them.

Steve
The Apollo Four 2012-present
https://www.facebook.com/ApolloFour/
The Verbtones 2002-2012

Brendan

Slingerland61
I've been lucky enough to open for Los Straitjackets about 6 years ago, saw their Christmas Pageant last year (with Kaiser George and The World Famous Pontani Sisters), opened for their Twist Party last month in Washington, then took the little woman to see them again the following night in Portland.

Did you open at the Tractor??

I've seen them 6 times in the past two years...I even drove 1100 miles RT to catch their set in Idaho this summer. Every performance has been awesome.

Nope... 6 years ago it was in Portland at EJs (RIP!) and on October 7th it was way up in Bellingham Washington at The Nightlight. The Tractor is great though! One of my favorite clubs to play!

6 times in the past 2 years?!!! 1100 miles... to IDAHO?!!! WOW! Very cool!

Steve
The Apollo Four 2012-present
https://www.facebook.com/ApolloFour/
The Verbtones 2002-2012

JakeDobner

Jon
I didn't see anyone wearing a fez.

They played "Close to Champaign" last night, too. What a great song. Neat to find out where the title came from, too.

That is my favorite Straitjackets song. So amazing. University Blvd is my second favorite.

Ahhh, it warms my heart. Nice to know that Champaign now has its own "New York - New York", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Viva Las Vegas", "Left My Heart in San Francisco".....

You know, the venue where Los Straitjackets played in Champaign is located on "REO Speedwagon Way" (I kid you not...as they are from here). Perhaps since we have an surf anthem, perhaps I should petition the City Council to create an honorary Camino de los Straitjackets. I'll put some thought to this.

Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com

They were in Toronto in October. I didn't make the show because it was mid week and I work nights, but I wish i did. I heard it was a great show! I wish more surf acts would stop in and around here while on North East tours!

www.myspace.com/vondrats
www.myspace.com/therobotssurfband

what a fun show.
yesterdays show was at the barns at wolf trap in vienna, va. what a nice sized venue, i think it holds 350 people. the show was all ages and was sold out. the sound was great. not ear piercing loud and you could hear every note played and every word sung.

kaiser georges voice and stage presence/ pontani sisters stage presence
and los straitjackets

my only complaint (also voiced by my 15 yr old son) was that they didn't play long enough but eddie said they did a shorter show because of it being all ages, plus at least one of them had a plane to catch.

i'm looking forward to seeing them the next time around.

carol

www.surfintheeye.com