Meteors – Shout So Loud

How would I describe this band in one word? FUN. That sums it up perfectly, plus a really tight trio. The Meteors are a perpetual Halloween. They combine rockabilly, monsters, SciFi, and punk, with an energetic and fun vibe. The band called it psychobilly, and they weren’t kidding. If you ever wondered what would happen if Gene Vincent rose and decided to visit the punk clubs of London, you’d get something like The Meteors. 

I had forgotten about this band. Years ago, I remember stumbling across Shout So Loud on an old cassette that looked like it had survived a fire. The label was half-melted, but when it kicked in overdrive, I knew I’d found something great here. This wasn’t Dad’s rockabilly. The Meteors took the twang and swing of the 1950s and drove it through a wall. This band has released 24 studio albums, 29 singles and LPs, 15 live albums, and 21 live albums. They are still releasing albums; in 2024, they released 40 Days a Rotting. This song was on their debut album In Heaven released in 1981.

The band was formed in 1980 and was one of the founders of “psychobilly.” The band was founded by P. Paul French on guitar, Nigel Lewis on electric and upright bass, and Mark Robertson on drums. They released their first album in 1981 and continue to this day. P. Paul French is the only original member still with the band. There was also a Dutch new wave band called The Meteors that was active from 1977 to 1982..but you won’t get them confused because they were power pop.

If you want something different, this is the band to listen to. You have rockabilly as the root of this tree, but it has that punk vibe stamped all over it. Below is their debut album.

I couldn’t find a good live version of this song, so I’m posting a short clip of them live.

Shout So Loud

Well they let me out that place I was
I was being good because
There ain’t nothing to do from night till noon
Then sit here in my nice soft room
The doctor said he’d fix my head
I’m gonna shout so loud I’m gonna wake up the dead

Well those great minds the can’t be wrong
Though I’ve been crazy all along
Now I’m normal just like you
Tell you what I’m gonna do
Find a wall and bang my head
Then I’ll shout so loud I’m gonna wake up the dead

I’m gonna find a bar and a woman to
And have a real good time
Gonna jump and shout and knock myself out
Yeah really lose my mind
Get so crazy out of head
And shout so loud I’m gonna wake up the dead

Then they take me back again
But you said that I was sane
Take be back and lock me up
And make sure that the doors tight shut
The walls are soft I can’t hurt my head
But I can shout so loud I’m gonna wake up the dead

….