DE LA ROCKA: De La Rocka

Release year: 2023
Label: Bad Billy Records

Back in February, we took a look at former Graveyard Bashers guitarist Panu De La Rocka’s first solo release, the single Out Of This World – out due for a vinyl release… well, at this point, I don’t know if anyone knows when. But eventually. The single was a teaser for the upcoming full-length album, which is also in the future. In other words, this isn’t it.

What this release is, is in fact another teaser. This time De La Rocka presents six tracks, including the two single tracks (so go read our review of it first). This CD release was made available exclusively for the Psychobilly Meeting this year… so if you missed out, you missed out. I’m telling y’all this mostly to emphasize how cool and hip I am to own a copy.

So, what additional insight do the four additional tracks give us? In many ways, not a lot: most of what we surmised from the single still applies. De La Rocka and cohorts take their cues from the second wave of psychobilly without resorting to any kind of self-serving retro nostalgia. One can also hear elements from noughties psychobilly frequently. And as far as quality goes, this EP/mini-CD still warrants placing expectations on the full-length album.

Planet Psycho, one of the four hitherto unreleased tracks, again features Dax Dragster of Godless Wicked Creeps and Johnny Nightmare on lead vocals and guitar (as on the title track of the aforementioned single). It’s a slower, more swinging and grooving track in a very classic second wave vein. De La Rocka kicks things into higher gear with Beer, Blood, Rock ‘n’ Roll with lead vocals by Titch of Klingonz (also guesting on the flipside of the single, Little Green Men): this is a high-speed, hi-octane rocker with a catchy chorus. Both are outstanding tracks.

Hellfire Club and Sex-Crazed Maniac don’t feature guests, but the quality doesn’t diminish. The former is another speedy romp of punked-up psychobilly, whilst the latter goes for a more mid-tempo approach. It’s not as groovy as Planet Psycho; its midtempo takes on a heavier tone.

Where the two single tracks were promising but ultimately perhaps too little of a taster to draw far-reaching conclusions, this six-track release allows a couple. First of all, De La Rocka’s album is promising to be a killer album. Secondly, the style is obviously more traditional in comparison to Graveyard Bashers. Third, De La Rocka has clearly tailored the songs with guest vocalists to suit their style – and, fourth: regardless of whether it’s one of these “tributes” (a cynic might call them pastiches) or a “straight” track, this slaps.

Hard.

Expectations for the full-length album have increased. It had better not let me down, Mr. De La Rocka, y’hear?

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