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Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys
With a handful of clean-picking, rumbling releases behind them, Orange County rockabilly kings Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys like the old ways, and that's one reason the new Radio Favorites is out both as a CD and a box set of three 45rpm singles. Sandy's sonorous, sometimes soft voice (think the gentle side of Elvis) bounces off the taut rhythms and fast-paced piano and steel guitar solos. "We want to have our own music available in a format that we prefer," says Sandy. "Also, it's just kind of cool. Over the years, we've put out everything on vinyl."

The band's music has a swinging touch, which found them favor with the swing and jump dance set. "When we started out we were more rockabilly-oriented, although even then we listened to all that stuff the swing bands are drawing from," says Sandy, 34. "We're having so much fun with it now. It's pretty much no holds barred. Before we were locked into too much of a specific thing. Now, we're playing what we like, trying to put it together our own way."

Sandy grew up on his dad's roots records, as well as his mom's doo-wop and R&B. The thirst for old stuff continues, as Sandy and the band forage for wax everywhere their Crown school bus takes them, looking up old heroes and listening to the chestnuts as they drive. "When we're on the bus that's all we're doing," says Sandy. "I can really get lost in listening to an old record."

Sandy first met guitar genius Deke Dickerson -- whose band will open this show -- several years ago, when they were backstage in Memphis hoping to meet Jerry Lee Lewis. Deke has also tapped the roots scene in Southern California, performing in the Dave & Deke combo before forming his own Ecco-fonics. He put out Number One Hit Record! last year, mixing rockabilly, jive, and guitar acrobatics à la country-jazz legends Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West.

-- Bill Kisliuk

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys perform with Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-fonics on Friday, April 16, at 9 p.m. at Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus (at Chestnut), S.F. Tickets are $13; call 474-0365.