Chopper Recommends Quilter Amps
Chopper recently picked up a Quilter Aviator Ultralight Eight from Hollywood Guitars in Los Angeles, Ca. Hollywood Guitars will not only match any advertised price for Quilter Amps, they will meet and beat any advertised price for whatever they have in stock. You can order online and receive 10% off your order by clicking HERE, visit their store at 931 E 11th St. Los Angeles CA 90021, or call Allan at 800-700-4542 for products and pricing.
Chopper Recommends Albums on Shattered Platter
Chopper did a piece a while back for the vinyl record website Shattered Platter where he recommends lps, turntables, speakers and booze:
Scott “Chopper” Franklin (The Cramps/Wanda Jackson/ Charley Horse/The Mau Maus) gives suggestions for blues & roots music to check out.
Low Estate 16 Horsepower
All of 16 HPs records are on heavy rotation around here, but Low Estate gets the most spins. If a Faulkner reading ever needed a backing track this would get the call. You’ll think you’re listening to the Devil hisself, but when you find out singer David Eugene Edwards is actually deeply religious, you’ll be even more intrigued.
Blues Classics by Memphis Minnie
In my latest project the Heathen Apostles we are doing Black Rat Swing, and ever since pulling out and listening to this record to learn it, I haven’t been able to stop. Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey may have gotten all the accolades, but Minnie is the real deal. This is a great cross-section of her best sides from the 1920’s to the late 1940’s.
Red of Tooth and Claw Murder By Death
When I first put this record on I thought I was hearing the soundtrack to Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian, and later when I read the lyrics I knew I was. First Adam Turla’s amazing voice kicks you down, then Sarah Balliet’s great cello steps on your throat. Get two copies of this, you’ll wear the first one out.
Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever Scott H. Biram
This is stripped-down, one-man-band music at its best, but Time Flies is as slick as anything you’ll ever hear. SHB manages to capture both the grit and melody of Leadbelly, along with some great Hank Williams, Sr. storytelling (though a little “rougher around the edges”). He puts on a great live show, too.
Lil Son Lil Son Jackson
Some (incorrectly) call Lil Son a poor man’s Lightnin Hopkins, but this Texas blues stands on its own and also has a great swamp feel to it. On this record (1960 re-recordings of some of his earlier hard-to-find classics) he gives Jimmy Reed and Slim Harpo a run for their money. It’s a recent Arhoolie re-issue, shouldn’t be hard to find.
Well, I go through turntables like crazy, so I keep a stack of them in a back room. The current one is a Technics DC Servo, next up…?
I go through JBL home speakers and a bottle or ten of Old Overholt.
The 69 Cats “Transylvanian Tapes” Enters CMJ Top 100
The 69 Cats’ debut album Transylvanian Tapes has moved to #99 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart, this after entering at #13 on the CMJ Top 200 Adds Chart last week. Be sure and get on your local station to play the 69 Cats!
Doghouse Lords – “Cry Now” Movie Promo
The Doghouse Lords – Javier Matos (Blue Shadows), Chopper Franklin (The Cramps, Nick Curran & the Lowlifes), John Bazz (The Blasters, Marc Ford) and Bill Bateman (The Blasters, Red Devils) perform .44 Gun in the Cinetico Productions film “Cry Now” (2014), written and directed by Alberto Barboza. Visit http://vincentandluzy.com for more info.
The 69 Cats “Transylvanian Tapes” Debuts at #13 on CMJ Adds Charts
The 69 Cats’ Transylvanian Tapes debuted nicely on the College Radio CMJ charts this week, coming in at #13 on the Most Added on the CMJ Top 200 Adds Chart right out of the box. Be sure and pound your local radio station to play cuts from this great debut album!
Nick Curran Feature In Arts & Labor Austin
The Arts & Labor Magazine did a feature on Nick Curran a while back to celebrate his induction into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Written by Michael Corcoran, it covers Nick’s early years as well as his battle with oral cancer. You can read it by clicking HERE.
Heathen Apostles Limited Edition Bundle Available
You can now get the Heathen Apostles Bundle which includes a brand-new, autographed Heathen Apostles CD Boot Hill Hymnal. You will also receive a snazzy download card of their new 2014 3-song EP Without A Trace. Also included is this classic Heathen Apostles Pin & Velvet Logo Bag, these are brand new so you’ll be among the first to have one! Click HERE for more info.
Pre-Order 69 Cats Album “Translyvanian Tapes” Today
The Transylvanian Tapes pre-order has launched today, click HERE to get it on Amazon. Here is the press release and track order:
Transylvanian Tapes is the debut album from gothabilly supergroup featuring 69 Eyes vocalist Jyrki rockin out with Head Cat six-string slinger Danny B. Harvey, former Cramps bassist Chopper Franklin, and Blondie drummer Clem Burke!
Includes a guest appearance by the queen of rockabilly herself, Wanda Jackson on a stunning version of Elvis’ She s Not You, as well as other rock classics such as Del Shannon’s Runaway and Dwight Pullen’s Sunglasses After Dark plus Bauhaus’ Bela Lugosi’s Dead, Duran Duran’s Girls On Film and lots more!
1. People Are Strange
2. Sunglasses After Dark
3. She s Not You with Wanda Jackson
4. Runaway
5. Sweet Transvestite with The Devil s Daughters
6. Edge Of Reality
7. Necromance For Guitar
8. You re My Baby
9. Werewolves Of London
10. Black Cadillac
11. Girls On Film
12. 69 Guitars
13. Bela Lugosi s Dead
2. Sunglasses After Dark
3. She s Not You with Wanda Jackson
4. Runaway
5. Sweet Transvestite with The Devil s Daughters
6. Edge Of Reality
7. Necromance For Guitar
8. You re My Baby
9. Werewolves Of London
10. Black Cadillac
11. Girls On Film
12. 69 Guitars
13. Bela Lugosi s Dead
Heathen Apostles Shoot New Music Video
The Heathen Apostles have wrapped Before You Go, the debut video from the Without A Trace EP. Directing the video was Billy Clift, who has previously worked with the band on a promo video for their previous release, 2013′s Boot Hill Hymnal. The video should be ready for a Summer debut, here is a band shot from the set.
Nick Curran Into Austin Music Hall of Fame
As many of you know Nick Curran passed away in October of 2012, and Chopper was the bassist of Nick Curran & the Lowlifes. On March 12th, 2014 he was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame, his mother Carol-Anne Labbe received the honors with a great acceptance speech, you can watch it HERE.
Heathen Apostles Appearance on KXLU Streaming Now
In case you missed the Ash Wednesday appearance of the Heathen Apostles on 88.9 KXLU you can now listen to it in it’s entirety. They play a short set then talk to hosts Robert Douglas and Hilary Russel about the formation of the band, their first album Boot Hill Hymnal and the recording of the new Without A Trace EP. Click HERE to listen, it will begin playing automatically.
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Heathen Apostles’ ‘Without A Trace’ EP Out Now
The Heathen Apostles are proud to announce their Without A Trace EP is finally released, you can either purchase it through iTunes, Amazon.mp3 or any digital outlet. It is also available with a snazzy download card, you can purchase it HERE, makes a great gift!
Heathen Apostles’ ‘Without A Trace’ EP Previewing 3/3 – 3/4
The Heathen Apostles’ Without A Trace EP will be previewing it in it’s entirety on March 3rd & 4th until it’s release on March 5th, when it can be purchased at iTunes, Amazon.mp3 etc. There will also be download cards available for purchase, makes a great gift! Click HERE to listen.
‘Without A Trace’ EP Cover Art Revealed
The cover art for the new Heathen Apostles 3 song EP ‘Without A Trace’ has been released, it features a photo of the band by Dina Douglass and a layout by Mather Louth. The EP will be available on March 5th (Ash Wednesday) for digital download as well as via a Limited Edition download card, only available in the Heathen Apostles webstore and at their live shows.
Vote Nick Curran into the Austin Hall of Fame
As many of you know Nick Curran passed away in October of 2012, and Chopper was the last bassist of Nick Curran & the Lowlifes. There is a drive to get Nick enshrined in the Austin Music Awards Hall Of Fame in 2014, and you can help by casting your vote on this year’s Austin Chronicle Music Awards ballot. Go here:
http://
You’ll go to the “HALL OF FAME” tab, and click the box with NICK CURRAN’s name by it! You should also look over the other ballot category tabs and vote for your favorites in the other categories. Once you’ve selected your votes, you need to go to the “Required Information” tab, and fill that out, then (when everything is done) click “Submit Vote”. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail, which you will need to click on to confirm that YOUR vote was cast by YOU. (If you don’t see the confirmation e-mail in your inbox, be sure to check your spam folder!)
Chopper-Produced Phantom of the Black Hills EP Is Live On iTunes
The new Chopper-produced Phantom of the Black Hills Black Hearted Killer EP is live on 
iTunes. This EP follows 2012’s ENEMY! album, and it contains 3 scorching, guaranteed barnburners and is a great way to bring in the New Year, preview on iTunes by clicking HERE.
Chopper Producing New Phantom of the Black Hills EP
Chopper is producing the new 3 song EP for hellbilly/doom country artists the Phantom of the Black Hills, it will be available digitally Dec. 30th on Ratchet Blade Records. It will be titled Black Hearted Killer and is the follow-up to 2012’s ENEMY!.
The69cats.com Is Live
The website for Chopper’s new goth n roll band The 69 Cats has gone live, check in to get info on their upcoming EP, future tour dates and check out the new photo galleries. Click HERE to visit.
Heathen Apostles In The Studio
The band has begun tracking their next record, an 3 song EP due February 2014 on Ratchet Blade Records. This will be the follow up to 2013’s Boot Hill Hymnal, once again Chopper will be producing. Check back for more info on this and other upcoming releases.
Goth n Roll Band The 69 Cats is Formed
Chopper has joined forces with Jyrki 69 (69 Eyes) and Danny B. Harvey (The Headcat, Rockats) to form 69 Cats, a gothic rock n roll band that has a 3 song EP due out on Halloween on Cleopatra Records. Check back for more info, the band will begin recording their debut album shortly, and a European tour is in the works.
69 Cats
Heathen Apostles on Instagram
Check in with and follow the Heathen Apostles @heathenapostles or visit them on their new Instagram page where you’ll see candid photos and videos from their live shows, video shoots and recording sessions. Be sure and tag and share any Heathen activity you’re a part of, whether it’s at a show, record store or witches coven! Here’s the link:
Heathen Apostles “Boot Hill Hymnal’ Pre-Sale
The Boot Hill Hymnal pre-sale launches today, order now and get an autographed cd for $4 off the SRP and early shipping! For more info click HERE.
Heathen Apostles “Boot Hill Hymnal” Now in iTunes, Amazon.mp3
You can now get a digital copy of Boot Hill Hymnal from iTunes and Amazon.mp3, click the links below to preview and download your copy today. The cd will be available at heathenapostles.com on Friday the 13th of September.
Doghouse Lords New Website Is Live
The Doghouse Lords (Chopper, Javier Matos, John Bazz and Bill Bateman) have a remodeled website and it is now live. Check it out and pick up a copy of their debut cd “Diggin’ at the Doghouse”. They also have a new release coming this Summer on Ratchet Blade Records. Click here to visit: www.doghouselords.com
