Lords of the Highway

Cleveland’s Lords of the Highway will share their sleazy, bawdy, rockabilly chops to Annabell’s this Friday.  They will be performing with Alleycasters, with their own brand of rock/punk/psychobilly and Devil Strip, featuring members of Dropgun and Road of Sin.

The Lords of the Highway have been bringing their high-energy performances to the area for about 18 years, encapsulating what a punk-hillbilly rock band should be: loud, crazy, raunchy and ready to party.  Its members (on the latest album Die, Monster, Die) are Dennis Bell on lead guitar/vocals, Joey Hissem on drums and “Sugar” on upright bass.  Their sound has a classic, 1950s roadhound quality to it while incorporating drinking, yelling and general ne’er-do-wellism.

Their antics have brought them a big local following but have upset some on the national stage.  The band contested for a spot on the TV show “The Next Great American Band,” but their sexually-driven and antics on stage were so appalling for judges Sheila E. and Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik they were booted out.

The Alleycasters are comprised of Joey Kash on lead vocals and guitar, Shane “Vain” Elvis on lead guitar and vocals, Roger Wilco on bass and Wayne Smith on drums and backups.  Playing both originals and covers, the band pulls their style from a variety of influences; from Elvis and Chuck Berry to The Rev. Horton Heat and Social Distortion.  Their style of hillbilly punk-rock is loud, proud and sure to entertain.

Devil Strip members are Billy Farkas on vocals and guitar, Dave Busch on lead guitar, Matt Riemenschneider on bass and Lou Giffels on drums.  The sound is hard and heavy but keeps a quick pace.  The show is free in the basement of Annabell’s and is scheduled to start at 10 p.m.

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