The Chop Tops began when Sinner found two rocknroll renegades that loved Rockabilly music just as much as he. Sinner's penchant for playing standing drums was only equaled by his love for the roots rockabilly, early punk, & psycho vocalists he grew up listening to. This lead him to developing his own wild style of singing lead vocals while playing standing drums. He teamed up with Gretsch guitar extraordinaire Shelby, after witnessing one of his blistering guitar performances in San Francisco. It was obvious that Shelby shared Sinner's passion for a frantic Rock n' Roll beat and songwriting. Last, but not least, came an upright bassist that would glue together the Chop Tops stompin' singer/drummer and livewire guitar slinger into one red-hot, rockin' band. Sinner's childhood friend and Santa Cruz slap bass pioneer Hotrod completed the band and set The Chop Tops wheels a rollin'.
In 1999 the band released its debut album Tales of Hot Rods, Hot Broads & Lucky Odds produced by guitar great Deke Dickerson. They soon headed out to tour the US. They mustve been doing something right! A buzz was generated from the bands smoking live shows and highly polished songwriting skills. This caught the ear of Ronnie Weiser, president and creator of the legendary Rollin Rock Records, whose label hosted such heavy hitters as the Blasters, Gene Vincent and Ray Campi, to name a few. He immediately signed the band and at the end of the tour they headed back in the studio to record the highly praised Always Wild.
We barely had time to catch our breath, said Sinner. Things happened fast we were ready, this is what we dreamed about as kids. There's no rest for the wicked, the dream had become reality and we were ready for it. We were all real excited about recording a album for the label that had released Gene Vincents last recordings, The Blasters first album, & so many other greats! Always Wild was released in July of 2000 and another US tour ensued. The boys played to packed houses up and down the states.
After some well deserved time off, it was time to go back into the studio. 2001 saw the release of their 3rd album the rock n roll fist-to-cuffs Evil Six, which they premiered as the opening act for Brian Setzers 68 Come Back Special tour. Proving once again, this band was no one trick pony!
" Always Wild was a very successful album, and we couldve gone back in the studio and recorded Son of Always Wild, but I dont think we wouldve been happy, said Shelby. We needed to do something different. Something a bit more edgy, you know, get back in touch with our Punk roots, while still retaining the sound fans have become accustomed to. I guess whatever we did worked. Evil Six is currently sold out! (Update: Evil Six has since been re-released three different time and has current sold over 10,000 copies!)
August 2005 the band embarked on a non-stop west to east coast 25 city tour. "It was great to finally play in the east and the crowds were really receptive" said Sinner. "New York was a blast!" added Shelby. "They really know how to rock!"
The Chop Tops have finnished their 4th release entitled Triple Deuces. They toured the new release June 2006 with Nekromantix !
This album is our best yet! says Sinner. If you liked the other three CDs we've released, this one will amaze you!"Triple Deuces is on sale at music stores everywhere now. Pick up a copy at www.thechoptops.com/shop.html or at your local music store, you'll be glad you did.
In June 2007 the band will be touring with Mad Sin and July will see them off on a US tour of their own.
The Chop Tops made a cameo appearance in the greasy Sci-fi film Flying Saucer Rock 'N Roll which premiered at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, CA March 18th 2006. It is currently on DVD and can be purchased at The Chop Tops Shop. Go to www.thechoptops.com for more details.