Dash Rip Rock

Bill Davis formed Dash Rip Rock as a three-piece band during the summer of 1984. Influenced by the early 1980s American roots rock revival embodied by such acts as Rank and File, The LeRoi Brothers, The Beat Farmers, The Stray Cats, Jason & the Scorchers, guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Bill Davis formed Dash Rip Rock with bassist Ned "Hoaky" Hickel and asked F. Clarke Martty to join on drums. All three were veterans of the post-punk scene. Over time, Dash evolved into a rock band that explored a wide variety of roots influences. Founding member and songwriter Davis has kept Dash Rip Rock touring and recording for years.

"No one can replace Bill Davis," Austin Chronicle writes. "He’s the brains behind Dash’s brawn, a barroom poet with a wicked sense of humor and a shameless knack for a good lick. He doesn't mind taking good-natured potshots at New Orleans icons like Aaron Neville but he’s capable of writing memorable heartbreakers like “Endeavor.”[5] Davis is often credited as a pioneer in "country punk," "cowpunk," and alt-country music that combines elements of rock with country and outlaw country with punk rock, but Davis has said in interviews that he considers his music to be widely roots-based.[6]

Originally, the band focused on revved up country and rockabilly, with Martty playing a simple stand-up drum kit and members sporting cowboy shirts, and bolo ties. Early shows included originals like "Marsupial" (the band's first single) and a fast rockabilly tune called "Shake That Girl" as well as rocked-out George Jones covers. The band began to build a strong following around their live cowpunk shows at clubs in Louisiana and throughout the South. Later Martty was replaced by a succession of drummers, including Fred LeBlanc, Chris Luckette (formerly of The Normals and The Cold), Kyle Melancon, and Wade Hymel.

Dash Rip Rock released a self-titled debut album in 1986 on 688 Records. In 1988 the band recorded its second album, Ace of Clubs, on Mammoth Records. Dash Rip Rock toured with The Cramps, The Reverend Horton Heat, The dB's and others. In the 1990s, Dash Rip Rock's song "Let's Go Smoke Some Pot", a parody of Danny and the Juniors' "At the Hop" became a tongue-in-cheek staple of the band's live shows and a nationwide radio hit that has since been covered by many bands. Although the song has been adopted by some as a pro-marijuana song,[7] it was actually intended to make fun of the resurgent popularity of Grateful Dead-style jam bands.[8]

In 2005 Jello Biafra released Dash Rip Rock's retrospective CD (Recyclone) on the Alternative Tentacles label, followed in 2007 by Dash's first concept album, a punk rock opera based on Dante's Inferno "Hee Haw Hell." August 1, 2008 saw the release of a new studio album, Country Girlfriend.

In 2010, the Houston Press deemed DRR one of the "Top 10 Louisiana Bands of All Time."[9] Bill Davis was also featured in the documentary, Outside Industry: The Story of SXSW.[10] In 2010, Dash Rip Rock's song "Johnny Ace" was featured in the video game Rock Band.

In 2011, Bill Davis also joined Jello Biafra to form Jello Biafra and the New Orleans Raunch & Soul All-Stars. After selecting songs and recruiting musicians, DRR's Bill Davis and this one-time-only band of mostly-Louisiana rockers played a special show in New Orleans. The band featured Jello Biafra, Bill Davis (Dash Rip Rock), Pepper Keenan (DOWN and Corrosion of Conformity, and others.[11][12]

In 2012, Dash Rip Rock was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.[13] In November 2012, Alternative Tentacles Dash Rip Rock released DRR's new album Black Liquor. It was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and produced by Ben Mumphrey. Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock also cut the track "Rock 'N' Roll Clown" for an album by The Vibrators that was released on Cleopatra Records in 2013.[14] Dash Rip Rock also recorded a tribute album to Billy Joe Shaver that was released in 2013 on Whiskey Bayou Records. It was produced by Tab Benoit. In 2013 Dash Rip Rock played back-up for a one-time only show with southern rock pioneers Jim "Dandy" Mangum and Rickey Lee “Risky” Reynolds of Black Oak Arkansas. In 2014 Punk News announced that Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock would be appearing on lead guitar and lead vocals on a track on a forthcoming Black Oak Arkansas tribute album with Greg Ginn of Black Flag, Paul Leary and Jeff Pinkus of Butthole Surfers, Shooter Jennings, and others.[15] Mutants of the Monster: A Tribute to Black Oak Arkansas was released by Saustex Records in 2016.

In 2014, Davis was writing for both a forthcoming solo release and a new Dash Rip Rock record and playing live with Dash Rip Rock.[16] He spoke with a New Orleans journalist about some of his earliest guitar influences:

"A bunch of really strange guitar players I met in the 80s really influenced me. Danny Gatton, who committed suicide, was one of the most monstrous Telecaster players to ever walk the planet. Gatton worked with another guy I met named Evan Johns. They were both from Washington, D.C. and played in rockabilly bands, but the rockabilly kind of turned punk. Evan introduced me to Danny Gatton’s style," Davis said. "Going way back, I loved Ace Frehley from Kiss. It was really simple. I like guitar that has a country flavor. Pete Townshend is another one, and Bily Zoom from the band X really inspired the punk rock side of my style."[6]

Dash Rip Rock regularly plays live. Recent gigs include Outlaw Country Cruise, French Quarter Festival, Bandito Festival, Voodoo Festival, and many club shows, etc.

• Louisiana Music Hall of Fame

• Dash Rip Rock official site
• Facebook.com
• Alternative Tentacles Artist page
• ArtistDirect
• Bill Davis of Dash's record with Mojo Nixon, John Doe, Country Dick Montana, Luther Dickinson, produced by Jim Dickinson
• Link to Dash Rip Rock on Rock Band video game