The Woolly Bushmen and The Hate Bombs create a retro wall of sound

The Woolly Bushmen
By Anita Stewart, Journalist and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer–Rock At Night Tampa
Venue: Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, Florida-September 7, 2018–The Woolly Bushmen with The Hate Bombs
The Hate Bombs

The Hate Bombs are one of Rock at Night’s favorites for surfer, retro, rockabilly, punk, well…it is almost impossible to define their genre. They have reformed after many years, spending the early 1990’s in Orlando and environs and are bringing back the completely retro sound that has taken hold here in the US and across the pond in the British Isles. The Hate Bombs toured throughout the southeast US and were putting out an EP each year after 1994 and then did two full length recordings; “Here Comes Treble” in 1997 and “Hunt You Down” in 1999. 

The Hate Bombs

Rock at Night caught their set as they opened for the Wooley Bushmen at Skipper’s Smokehouse and we immediately loved their songs and stage presence. It was an off night and there wasn’t a large audience, but the band played a long and vibrant set and rocked like they were playing for an arena full of fans! 

The current lineup consists of Dave Ewing (guitar/vocals), Mick Crowley (guitar), Ken Chiodini (drums) and Aaron Zacktan (bass). We are hoping they will record something new, but don’t let that stop you from checking out their vintage recordings–great party music! Or if you are in Central Florida, check out one of their shows.
The Woolly Bushmen

The Woolly Bushmen also come from Orlando and they rounded out the show with some of their die-hard fans rocking it out in the audience. The lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist, Simon Palombi is also the primary songwriter of the group. When he sings, it is easy for one to hear the influences; for a few of the songs he sounded like the Big Bopper, on others Jerry Lee Lewis and for one song in particular he sounded like Bon Scott (of early AC/DC). His brother, Julian is on the drums and Jacob Miller plays both guitar and bass.

The Woolly Bushmen

Simon calls the band’s genre “garage-a-billy” music. Definitely elements of punk rock, 50s, 60s, 70’s, rockabilly, even soul and rhythm and blues. The sound is very retro and it is recorded that way too. “We record everything completely analog to a couple reel to reel tape recorders in our garage,” Simon elaborated back in 2015.”Our latest album “Sky Bosses” was recorded to an old 4 track from the late 60’s.”  He insists that this technique gives them the best results when recording.

Both brothers started playing music when they were 5 years old. A typical Woolly Bushmen show will see Simon, play vintage VOX organ then guitar. Super talented Jacob Miller, plays guitar and then switches to the bass depending on if Simon is playing the organ or the guitar.

The band’s songs are based around melodic lines on keyboard and guitar with fun choruses and bright sing-along hooks that sound reminiscent of the 50’s and 60’s chart toppers. This year, the band has been touring with Southern Culture on the Skids and both have some upcoming shows in October in the northeast! Rock at Night covered SCOTS last year. You can see that story HERE. The Woolly Bushmen love what they do and it shows! Check out their music on Bandcamp and other music sites, their social networks or catch one of their shows.

PHOTO GALLERY

The Woolly Bushmen

Check out The Woolly Bushmen’s Music

PHOTO GALLERY

The Hate Bombs

Check out The Hate Bomb’s Music

Anita Stewart
Follow Me

Forest Live Festival – UK

Forest Live Festival – UK