An Interview with The Jumpin´ Wheels
(November 2002)
Well, first at all, can you introducte yourselves? The Jumpin' Wheels started in 1999 when we reorganized our old band. Members of the band are Garry on upright-bass and vocal, Peter on drums, Artur on guitar and only at the local gigs Serge plays with us on acoustic guitar. Our home town is Tallinn, capital of Estonia. After our car lost one of the back wheels on the road in Poland we found band name - Jumpin' Wheels. I really hope that it never happens again ;)) How did you start a Rockabilly band in Estonia? Do you have a good Rock and Roll scene in your country? All of us are united from big love to fifties rockin' music and that was the reason why we started to play together. To be a rockabilly band in Estonia is not easy because our rock'n' roll scene is practically non-existing. |
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| We are playing here in common bars where people are coming just for a drink and they are not interested and don't know anything about rockabilly/rock'n'roll. There are probably 15 real Rockabilly fans and only 2 or 3 of them visit steadely perfomances of rockin bands. I think reason to all of this is "Iron Curtain" that was in Soviet Union. Only in the early 80s sovier cercorship weakened.... | |
What were your first influences to form the band? What are your favourite artists?
My first two influence were Sex Pistols and AC /DC. First guitar chords and licks I learned from these bands . When I turned to rockabilly I found for myself great guitarists like Clif Gallup, Grady Martin and of course Brian Setzer. Setzer's role is really great in popularizing the fifties music nowadays. Now are my big favourites Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland, Merle Travis, Charlie Christian.... and I really like the old country-western-swing style.... Garry's influences are Johnny Burnette Trio, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Joe Clay, Charline Arthur, Darrel Higham, Ronnie Dawson, Road Kings, Gene Vincent & His Bluecaps, Don Woody, Stary Cats, High Noon...... Peters digs mostly diferent big band stuff.
Your first demo includes not very usual covers as "Make with the Lovin" or "Well I Knocked Bim Bam" but don't you have your own songs?
In this time we have recorded two own songs "Hot Rod Mama" and "I Feel Good". First is swingin' boogie-like song and second turns more hillbilly style rockabilly. But we're working with others songs also. Talking about covers, I like to find not very usual but interesting songs from fifties and play them :))
You´ve been playing in countries such as Holland, Finland, Russia or Spain and I guess it was a good experience... What can you tell us about that?
To play in diferent countries had a very positive effect on us. It opened our eyes, ears and minds. It´s very important to travel an seeing other bands and musicians. Local bands of all this countries where we´ve been with Jumpin´ Wheels have sounded with own national colouring. It´s very interesting for us.
You played two gigs in Spain last year and all the people who had the posibility of seeing you in action was very surprised with your fantastic live sound.... How often you practise? Do you play lots of gigs there in Estonia?
We are all professional musicians and really love Rockabilly Music. All these things that are done with the soul must be good ;))) . We play usually 2-3 gigs per week in Estonia and practise with the band only when we´re learning the new songs. But all of us practise by our own too. For example I practise everyday the guitar....
