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The Black Crabs

About Me


A lot of people say the same thing about The Black Crabs. "You guys don't sound like anybody else." Sure, there's some rockabilly in there, and some rock and roll too. But there's also swing, jazz, and even a taste of spaghetti western. It's a refreshing update to the "authentic reproduction" approach of the rockabilly genre.Their second release, 13 Times, is a case in point. The band moves smoothly from the straight-ahead rockabilly sound of Say Mama to the swinging duet Messin' Around. They deftly navigate the Les Paul-eqsue instrumental Caravan. There's even the tune best heard under the Big Top, both because of its country-circus beat and subject matter (quite possibly the first ever song about corndogs).This mix of genres comes naturally to The Black Crabs. Jonathan Stuart, Tom Forster Jr., and Kirsten Ballweg are experienced musicians and have played with a variety of groups come—60s girl garage (The Hot Rollers), roots (Footstompin' Trio), melodic pop (Nobody Home), and of course swing and rockabilly (The Donettes, New York Jimmy and the Jive Five). Originally formed in 2004 to back Rockabilly Queen Wanda Jackson, the band was supposed to be only a summer fling. Instead, it transformed into a full-time proposition.Since gigging with Wanda, the Black Crabs have toured the West Coast and Europe – Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and Italy. The Trio has played various festivals including; KEXP’s Rockabilly Ball (Seattle) 2005-2008, Bumbershoot (Seattle), The Folk Life Festival (Seattle), International Beer Festival , Issaquah Salmon Days, KSER’s Rockabilly Revival, the Summer Jamboree (Italy), Viva Las Vegas (Las Vegas), and The Rockin Fifties Fest (Green Bay, Wisconsin).Their first CD “Blast Off” was released in 2005 on Ravenous Records. For reviews please visit the website. The band also appears on various compilation CDs.2009 will bring more touring at home and abroad. And work has already begun for the third Black Crabs CD! Check out Ravenous Records .
You can learn more about the band at theblackcrabs.com or order their CDs right here:
13 Times (2008)
US $12 - shipping included!
Blast Off! (2005)
US $12 - shipping included!
International orders: please send us a message before ordering so we can get back to you with the proper shipping totals.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 30/11/2004
Band Website: www.theblackcrabs.com
Band Members: Johnny 7: guitar and vocals
Kirsten Ballweg: bass and vocals
Tom Forster: drums and vocals

Influences: Jimmy Bryant, Wanda Jackson, Joe Maphis ,Earl Palmer, The Sonics, The Monks
Sounds Like: Rockabilly waking up in the Aughts
Record Label: Ravenous Records http://www.ravenousrecords.org/
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Check those chimps out

Last night we were in Sacramento at Marilyn's. What a great club! There were quite a few rockabilly people out in their finery, dancing up a storm. KB and The SlingTones opened the show. Even at 7 mon...
Posted by on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

The Blue Sky and beyond

Hey people!We're out on tour, and things are going great!Our first gig at the Blue Sky Room was a blast. Anna, the booker (and bartender, and super dancer) was great, as was the rest of the crew there...
Posted by on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:53:00 GMT

13 Times review from Jumpin' 6 to 6

 13 TimesBlack Cat Boogie - Say Mama - Romeo's Teacher - Nothing Ever Happens - Three Cool Cats - Caravan - Not Knowing How - Congratulations - Messin' Around / Corndog - Give It Up - Thirteen Times -...
Posted by on Mon, 04 May 2009 23:03:00 GMT

13 Times review from Blue Suede News

Review from Blue Suede News issue #85Seattle's Black Crabs are back with their second release that features a handful of favorites from their dynamic live shows and some fine new tunes. There's G...
Posted by on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:26:00 GMT

Valentine's Day Benefit for Micah and Nanette

Valentine's Day is here again and this year The Black Crabs are making it a benefit. Our friend Micah had a surprise surgery removing most of his colon. And as Leon Berman asked me " So he has a semi...
Posted by on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:56:00 GMT

Ruby Dee sits in with The Black Crabs

Well, we have been talking about doing this for a while. Last night was the the farewell show for our friends in Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers at The Highway 99 Blues Club. Alas, they move off to the...
Posted by on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:23:00 GMT

Vids from the Rockabilly Ball 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oVFQ2UW8qQ Yup, we had a Blast! Here is some footage courtesy of Chris Force ( Thanks, Chris!)
Posted by on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Update to CD Release line-up

Hey kids Unfortunately, The Gallus Brothers won't be joining us on Friday at Slim's Last Chance. Instead, we have the incredibly talented Big Valley Rangers. We were lucky to get 'em on such...
Posted by on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:57:00 GMT

THE BLACK CRABS IN PRISON  JUST LIKE JOHNNY CASH!

Except this prison was in Belgium.As our tour van pulled down the little tree-lined lane, the castle came into view. Yes, we were driving across a moat, throught the heavy, brick walls and into an en...
Posted by on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:37:00 GMT

Newest member of the Black Crabs family

We are pleased to announce our newset fan!SOPHIE ANN FORSTER born November 14, 2007 !Actually, we can't say for sure that she likes our new songs, or even the band for that matter, but she hasn't tri...
Posted by on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:14:00 GMT