Patch Blogger: The Hornets Rock Port Jefferson Viillage

Don't let the name Rockabilly fool you. The “billy ”connotation refers to country music originated in mid-south usually including a stand up bass, a pared down drum set, a rhythm guitar and a lead guitar. The sound is raw and “stark” hung on a backbone that moves to a country-boogie, rhythm and blues, beat. It's a blend of Delta Blues, Country, and classic fifties Rock' n Roll, that is as American as “apple pie.” Charlie Feathers put it best in 1979, when he said “Rockabilly is a lead guitar and a upright bass. Real true rockabilly... well you get too carried away till a drummer can't keep up with it.”

The Long Island Hornets are just that, which I attribute to a distinctive style created by stand up bassist and vocalist Pete Crunagle. Mr. Crunagle is all fifties with a a classic pompadour, sun glasses, tight fitting jeans and slap bass technique that is as country as moonshine, which he demonstrated in the numbers “Little Pig,” and the group's signature song “Roadkill,” a Hornets original. When I asked Pete about his James Dean look and his skillful handling of the bass he said “ I watched a lot, was shown a few things from other players and the rest came kind of natural.”

When he first started out after breaking away from a band he had with his brother, he thought about starting a Punk band however, he decided on Rockabilly instead and has been playing that since he was in his late teens. Lucky for us he has, because he and the group have created a sound that is “true to the genre,” real, raw, and honest, played with the sparest instrumentation and little or no “techno” accessories. Most effects are created by Todd Lee and Gary Dawson with an adroit handling of the tone and volume controls played through what looks like a vintage Ampeg or Vox amplifier. Pete Crunagle has also written songs for the band including the sassy number “Back it up.” His talent was also demonstrated in the number “Hard Night of Long Loving.” where he bangs out a boogie solo brings you to your feet.

Aside from the exemplary work done on the stand up bass, the two guitar players in the performance were also exceptional. The solos and duets were “dead on” creating a Carl Perkins sound mixed in with echoes of Chuck Berry and “Johnny Be Good.” The work done on the neck by both players was inspirational and both Todd Lee and Gary Dawson played rhythm and lead depending on the number. They worked very well off each other both creating the raw. steel, twangy sounds that stand as a hallmark to this era and this genre.

The vocals were also honest and true to the genre. The stutters, hiccups, and swoops from high notes to low bass notes created an uptempo beat that served well to augment the rock' n roll feel. Jeff Mclary on a pared back "s" drum set gave a wonderful performance singing a number of songs like his original “Roadkill.” The cover of “Honey Don't,” and the upbeat “Rockabilly Blues.”

I was surprised once again at this outdoor concert in Port Jefferson. The quality of the bands in concert has been superb giving residents an up close look at some of Long Island's best live bands. The Hornets added to this list with an all out, rocking performance of Rockabilly music that was both a pleasant reminder of our past and a positive hint of what's ahead. Enjoy.