Katmen – When The Drinks Dried Up

The band’s name is either Kat Men or Katmen. I’ve seen it listed both ways.

CB mentioned this band in an email and I had to check it out. Pure rockabilly heaven for me. I’ve also checked out Darrel Higham’s guitar playing…he is excellent. He worked with and married Imelda May… his sound can be heard in much of her music.

The band was formed when Slim Jim Phantom and Darrel Higham decided to join forces, they were inspired by a shared love of classic rockabilly music. Phantom’s drumming style is well known for his stint in The Stray Cats, while Higham contributed his incredible guitar skills and an appreciation for rockabilly. Their music has vintage rockabilly vibes with a modern sound.

They formed in 2006 when former Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom and Imelda May guitarist Darrel Higham met during a jam session at the Oneida Casino, in Wisconsin. In 2012 they hired bassist Al Gare. This guy plays a mean standup bass like no one else I’ve seen.

Higham developed an early interest in rockabilly and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll, his influences were artists like Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and guitarist Cliff Gallup. Higham started his professional music career in the late 1980s, performing with various rockabilly and roots bands in the UK.

This song is on their 2013 album The Katmen Cometh. Another song on that album is “We Need Elvis Back.” I HAD to include that song as well in this! Both songs are credited to the band.

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

30 thoughts on “Katmen – When The Drinks Dried Up”

  4. Pingback: Katmen – When The Drinks Dried Up – MobsterTiger

  7. I knew Slim Jim’s name, and they sound like they could easily open for the Stray Cats…would be a busy night for him mind you! The second song is fairly catchy & did put me a little in mind of young Elvis

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    1. I really like these roots music bands. It’s just so pure…no studio enhancements…not that I’m against that…but it’s so real. You get what they give…

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    1. I just told Dave…it’s pure…no studio enhancements…you get what they give…a pure transaction. I’m really enjoying them CB. The hardest thing was picking one song…just flipping a coin really.

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    1. Highman is a hell of a pro…and was married to Imelda May for 13 years and played on her stuff as well.
      Check out the bass player in that Elvis song.

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      2. You have a great point! Al Gare has it down. He is the one that stuck out for me on that video you had because…I’m a bass freak. I can’t explain how awesome this guy is.
        I didn’t put it together until I saw the Elvis song video…oh that is the same dude! It could only be the same one….not by the way he looked…no…by the way he played. That is the best compliment I can give.

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      5. That is a cool comparison. He was the same bassist on Johnny’s Got A Boom Boom… he does things on a standup bass you just don’t hear every day.

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