Blue Flame Combo was a band way ahead of it's time. When they came to your city they plugged in, kicked ass and took names. They brought us this mega pop sound that we just couldn't get out of our heads and modern rockabilly would never be the same again. Blue Flame Combo could have been one of those traditional rockabilly bands, but they were determined to reshape the sound, just like the neo-rockabillies did in the early 80's, by mixing together their rockabilly influences with pop punk. Point being they were more rockabilly than you, more punk than you, and with Damian's explosive power-pop songwriting they were more pop than Wham, but with a little more attitude.
With this contemporary twist to a classic style of music the bands 2nd release titled "Rockabillies Go Home" was caught by the eye of England's Nervous Records, who re-released the album internationally. Along with Damian's varied songwriting on the cd the inclusion of a Smiths and Fugazi cover only points to the many shifting influences this band has. If you were lucky enough to have seen them live you would have been treated to their rockabilly version of Gorilla Biscuits "Forgotten". Blue Flame Combo didn't care about scenes, they cared about playing a good set, and recording good music. Yeah...there were a whole lot of people who didn't like the band for their own personal reasons. And with that, there was a lot of friction between factions. The rockabillies disliking the band because they were too radio friendly, the punkers disliking the rockabillies, but with Blue Flame Combo's disinterest in any scene at all, they were able to rise above all that baggage along with their true fans of the band.
Looking back, people have said Blue Flame was a band that only girls liked, or calling them a rockabilly version a Green Day. But you could not deny the live presence of the band, or the speed at which they played. Jeff's upright playing was unmatchable live, and who could forget Damian's guitar solo's played with such feeling and tenacity that Brian Setzer was worried, and all held together by Sean's impeccable druming.
By the end of the band's short career they were really pushing the whole rockabilly, punk and emo sound, and with shows night after night and touring and personal problems within the band, the guys had a sudden break up. The band's star had fallen from the sky just as suddenly as it rocketed up. I had asked Damian what he thought about his years with the band and he said this: "I remember this little practice space where we would practice, and we had just learned the cover of "ASK", and it sounded great. Was rockabilly ready for this we thought, well I guess we found out. I really miss those days."
Blue Flame Combo's music can still be purchased online. "Rockabillies Go Home" can be found on Amazon.com, Amp Records Website, Nervous Records.
Blue Flame Combo's un-released material and stickers can also be purchased by contacting the webmaster of this page.
