Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops

About Me

Playing what has been dubbed "Hot-Rod Rockabilly," this Illinois trio takes the traditional rockabilly sound and soups it up with a high-octane edge. The Blacktops play more towards the raw rock influences of bands like The Black Crowes, throw in a little throttle, and combine the groove of Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran to create danceable music without the thinness of pure rockabilly. "Its basically rock-n-roll, with a punk feel to it," says guitarist/vocalist Jim Rotramel. Crediting Dallas Alice's frontman Sean Hopkins with the nickname "Skinny" (its from an Eddie Cochran song), the Number 9 Blacktops take their name from an old country road outside of Hill and Rotramel's hometown of West Frankfort, Illinois. "We'd drag race CR 250s until our knuckles bled," says Rotramel. Rotramel released the freshman album "Hickory-Smoked Rockabilly" three years ago, working with Louisville, Kentucky's Sean Hopkins and Nashville, Tennessee's Ross Sermons. After tracking at Mike Lescilius' Misunderstudio in Murphysboro, Illinois, Rotramel relyed on the mastering skills of Dave Harris to add the finishing touches. "Studio B Mastering in Charlotte is without a doubt the best. Dave's mastered both my Blacktops albums, and my Accelerators stuff flawlessly," proclaims Rotramel. In early 2006, the Blacktops moved from the studio to the live venues. Chicago native Nate Hopman (former frontman of national touring punk band The Rushmores) took over on drums, and America's favorite barber Randy "The Bulldog" Hill stepped up to add slap. In September, 2007, the Blacktops finished up their second album, "Horsepower, Horsepower," produced by Rick Miller of the Yep Roc trashabilly band "Southern Culture on the Skids." The Blacktops tracked at Miller's Kudzu Ranch, and went with Dave Harris at Studio B for the polish. The boys are playing non-stop all over the country to support the new release. "It never gets old," says Rotramel, regarding playing shows. "We are humbled anytime someone comes out to see us. The support for rock-n-roll music never dies, we're all in this together." In March of 2008, Rotramel became officially endorsed by Gretsch Guitars! "A true honor.....I get to open up for Chuck Berry, and get endorsed by Gretsch in the same week!" When he's not fronting the Blacktops, Rotramel can be found at Carbondale, Illinois' Tuff Luck Tattoos (618-549-2034), poking holes in kids for cash. Hill runs the traditional Chop Shop Barber Shop in Marion, Illinois. Stop in and hit him up for a free trim! Make sure and check out Darrell Mankin at darrellmankin.org. Darrell snapped all the black and white photos in our pics section, and is America's finest old-school photographer, hands down. For booking, merch, or just to check out more of The Number 9 Blacktops, go to skinnyjimrocks.com.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/25/2006
Band Website: skinnyjimrocks.com
Band Members: Domi-NATE Hopman - drums/vocals Randy "The Bulldog" Hill - slap bass/vocals Jim Rotramel - guitar/vocals/keeping the other two fools inline...
Influences: The Accelerators, Josh Plemon and the Lonesome Drifters, Hang' Em High, Gypsy Rose, The Rushmores, and Eddie Cochran.
Sounds Like: Chuck Berry and Zeke drag racing...but more towards the crap end of that....
Record Label: none
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

New Album/ New York???

Hey ya'll after a bit of conflict with the midwest/west tour, we're back in good ol' humid Southern Illinois! Hopefully our pals Haze the Hides, along Sarah and family survived the flooding in De...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:12:00 PST

Here we go again!

Tomorrow starts the first show of two more weeks on the road! We're really looking forward to getting out west and playing with some great bands, and meeting cool folks. We can't thank you enoug...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:21:00 PST

Razorcake Review!!

"SKINNY JIM & THE NUMBER 9 BLACKTOPS:Horsepower! Horsepower!: CDEager Illinois three-piece knocks out a dozen floor-stomping, elbow-greasing roadhouse rock tracks. Exemplary technical skill produces a...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Fri, 30 May 2008 05:53:00 PST

Herrinfest turnout....

Thanks to all who came out tonight to support the local guys! Gotta love it when the crowd disappears before the headliners even start haha. Thanks guys, you know who you are! We love ya and owe...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Sat, 24 May 2008 10:55:00 PST

Tattoo Contest!!!

Well guys its been long enough, the tattoo contest has officially ended! BUT we're still featuring any submissions on the site (this one, and the www.skinnyjimrocks.com site) in a "show your tattoo" g...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Mon, 12 May 2008 06:44:00 PST

Reviews, Updates, Tour, all that jazz!

Hey guys if you haven't noticed we've got tons of new tour pictures up! First time out east was a blast! Big thanks to all the bands who split bills with us, put us up for the night, and bought...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Fri, 09 May 2008 02:16:00 PST

Harley Davidson and tour!!

"Hey guys this weekend starts our month long tour of the East coast! We’re very excited to get some miles under our belts for the Spring, and to play with some great bands we’...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:11:00 PST

Press in Canada!

Big thanks to Jenny and Christian D. from Toronto’s "Knee Deep in Squaresville" for the positive review of "Horsepower! Horsepower!" "...great bass slap sections from Randy Hill.......
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:13:00 PST

Jim sponsored by Gretsch guitars!!!!!!!

Hey guys, the good folks at Gretsch are giving me an artist endorsement! This is like a dream come true, I’ve played Gretsch guitars for over 12 years now! Keep an eye out on www.gret...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:01:00 PST

Horsepower! Horsepower! charts on Freeform American Roots!!

Skinny Jim & the Number 9 Blacktops' "Horsepower! Horsepower!" charted at 27 for January on San Antonio's Third Coast Music Magazine's Freeform American Roots charts! The new album was also a pick for...
Posted by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:22:00 PST