The Roughnecks – Saddle Soap
KOREA 02 [1985]
Saddle Soap – Talkin’ ‘Bout You / Ridin’ To The Sky
The Roughnecks formed in 1984 with Tom Reiss on vocals and guitar, Michael Lahmann on double bass, Pete Grun on drums, and Tex Schmidt on guitar. In October of the following year, the band entered a Berlin studio to record their first single. For a debut recording, the quartet displayed remarkable maturity. Both their sound and instrumentation were perfectly controlled, and Reiss proved to be an excellent singer. The compositions were also very good and original, ranging from the lively, bouncy Neo Rockabilly of Saddle Soap and Talking About You to the darker Western elements of Ridin’ To The Sky.
The Roughnecks – Hard Times
KOREA 03 [1986]
Hard Times – Jimmy’s Revenge / Never Cry – Take A Look
With this release, the Roughnecks confirmed the excellent impression left by their first single. This EP open with Hard Times, a very good Neo-Rockabilly tune. Jimmy’s Revenge is more traditional but also contains Western influences. With Never Cry, the Roughnecks effortlessly navigate what often proves tricky for many bands: the ballad with pop sensibilities. They finish on strong note with Take A Look, which sits somewhere between Restless and early Batmobile (which is saying something).
Both Hard Times and Take A Look were also included on the second volume of the compilation Psycho Attack Over Europe.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
