Pet Peeve

[Kim Bombshell]

I love Rockabilly and Psychobilly music. I go to a lot of shows. I book and promote shows at a few local clubs and am in a social club that puts on a huge car show and music event once a year. My pet Peeve is rarely do I see Pin Ups supporting shows! Bernie Dexter is an exception. She loves the Rockin' Scene, and will dance all night at weekenders, but most of the others don't show up unless they are making an appearance.

It bothers me to see people using the music and lifestyle, without supporting it.

All you "Pin-ups" who sport the vintage look, get your butts out there and support the music!!!! The Music is the reason you are able to have this "pin-up" lifestyle!!!!!

[Kim Bombshell]

If I wasn't a fan of psychobilly, and gone to see TA, I don't know if I would have discovered Street Dogs.

Natalie said:

Yeah, were clearly on a different level haha, I also didn't say I do my hair fancy every day and dress pin up esque every day, I love the old Hollywood glamour but don't listen to rockabilly..what can i say! & thats awesome about streetdogs they are so fun =)

Kim Bombshell said:

Having respect for the music is not the same as supporting the music. I suppose it's hard for me to grasp not wanting to participate in the rockabilly/psychobilly scene, when a person dresses, and does their hair like the people who do participate.

As for Streetdogs....I try never to miss a show since I first saw them open for Tiger Army in 2004.


Natalie said:

I didn't say I don't respect the music, I just said that I have a different taste in tunes and those are the shows i like to attend, everyones got their own opinion- i read you went to a streetdogs show, hell yes.

Kim Bombshell said:

read my last post on the subject. It's about giving back to the genre that is responsible for what you enjoy, because when the trend is over, they will still be there and still appreciate the pin-up art form.

Natalie said:

Daddy Cool made a good reply...i absolutely love classic Hollywood glamour, there is nothing more beautiful to me, I love to make my hair look fancy and dress "pin up esque" because agggainn..there is nothing more classy looking. BUT I don't listen to rockabilly music, I like it, but it's not my deal.. I love music from hardcore punk to sinatra.. TO ME I definitely don't think that makes me a poser for loving the pin up style, just saying!

[Natalie Alvarado]

Yeah thankfully the old singer of Dropkick Murphys left so he could form Streetdogs, now Al Bar of the Bruisers (I love that street rock n roll) sings for Dropkick. Okay anyways, I guess we just have different opinions about this discussion.

Kim Bombshell said:

If I wasn't a fan of psychobilly, and gone to see TA, I don't know if I would have discovered Street Dogs.

Natalie said:

Yeah, were clearly on a different level haha, I also didn't say I do my hair fancy every day and dress pin up esque every day, I love the old Hollywood glamour but don't listen to rockabilly..what can i say! & thats awesome about streetdogs they are so fun =)

Kim Bombshell said:

Having respect for the music is not the same as supporting the music. I suppose it's hard for me to grasp not wanting to participate in the rockabilly/psychobilly scene, when a person dresses, and does their hair like the people who do participate.

As for Streetdogs....I try never to miss a show since I first saw them open for Tiger Army in 2004.


Natalie said:

I didn't say I don't respect the music, I just said that I have a different taste in tunes and those are the shows i like to attend, everyones got their own opinion- i read you went to a streetdogs show, hell yes.

Kim Bombshell said:

read my last post on the subject. It's about giving back to the genre that is responsible for what you enjoy, because when the trend is over, they will still be there and still appreciate the pin-up art form.

Natalie said:

Daddy Cool made a good reply...i absolutely love classic Hollywood glamour, there is nothing more beautiful to me, I love to make my hair look fancy and dress "pin up esque" because agggainn..there is nothing more classy looking. BUT I don't listen to rockabilly music, I like it, but it's not my deal.. I love music from hardcore punk to sinatra.. TO ME I definitely don't think that makes me a poser for loving the pin up style, just saying!

[Kim Bombshell]

Actually, Mike Mc Colgan left DKM to become a fire-fighter and about 2 years after joining the Boston FD his old friend asked him to sit in and sing a few songs, they decided to make a demo, and got offers from different labels right off the bat.

Natalie said:

Yeah thankfully the old singer of Dropkick Murphys left so he could form Streetdogs, now Al Bar of the Bruisers (I love that street rock n roll) sings for Dropkick. Okay anyways, I guess we just have different opinions about this discussion.

Kim Bombshell said:

If I wasn't a fan of psychobilly, and gone to see TA, I don't know if I would have discovered Street Dogs.

Natalie said:

Yeah, were clearly on a different level haha, I also didn't say I do my hair fancy every day and dress pin up esque every day, I love the old Hollywood glamour but don't listen to rockabilly..what can i say! & thats awesome about streetdogs they are so fun =)

Kim Bombshell said:

Having respect for the music is not the same as supporting the music. I suppose it's hard for me to grasp not wanting to participate in the rockabilly/psychobilly scene, when a person dresses, and does their hair like the people who do participate.

As for Streetdogs....I try never to miss a show since I first saw them open for Tiger Army in 2004.


Natalie said:

I didn't say I don't respect the music, I just said that I have a different taste in tunes and those are the shows i like to attend, everyones got their own opinion- i read you went to a streetdogs show, hell yes.

Kim Bombshell said:

read my last post on the subject. It's about giving back to the genre that is responsible for what you enjoy, because when the trend is over, they will still be there and still appreciate the pin-up art form.

Natalie said:

Daddy Cool made a good reply...i absolutely love classic Hollywood glamour, there is nothing more beautiful to me, I love to make my hair look fancy and dress "pin up esque" because agggainn..there is nothing more classy looking. BUT I don't listen to rockabilly music, I like it, but it's not my deal.. I love music from hardcore punk to sinatra.. TO ME I definitely don't think that makes me a poser for loving the pin up style, just saying!

[Edson Carlos]

Welcome to PL. Where people might have different opinions but still share a passion for pinup life. Isn't it wonderful!? Dolls, props for being a perfect example of maturity.

[Soda Shop Sue]

its so freaking true....
i work at a live music venue, and i'm a bartender, there are alot of sceensters that even try to skip cover charge (for the band) to see if a friend is in...
i wish hotrod/rockabilly's (where i'm from,) accually OWNED A HOTROD to drive to the show, and i wish there were cool ass REAL pinup/rockabilly people in my area, hence me online talking about it....

i know what you gal's mean and i'll second that!

[Edson Carlos]

BTW, I seriously meant thanks for everyone staying mature. I think its clear the initial intentions of the post were not bad ones, nor were any of the responses. Love you all =)

[Natalie Alvarado]

Haha yeah i know, i just didn't want to give a bio about the band. Ok this was my last reply haha.

Kim Bombshell said:

Actually, Mike Mc Colgan left DKM to become a fire-fighter and about 2 years after joining the Boston FD his old friend asked him to sit in and sing a few songs, they decided to make a demo, and got offers from different labels right off the bat.

Natalie said:

Yeah thankfully the old singer of Dropkick Murphys left so he could form Streetdogs, now Al Bar of the Bruisers (I love that street rock n roll) sings for Dropkick. Okay anyways, I guess we just have different opinions about this discussion.

Kim Bombshell said:

If I wasn't a fan of psychobilly, and gone to see TA, I don't know if I would have discovered Street Dogs.

Natalie said:

Yeah, were clearly on a different level haha, I also didn't say I do my hair fancy every day and dress pin up esque every day, I love the old Hollywood glamour but don't listen to rockabilly..what can i say! & thats awesome about streetdogs they are so fun =)

Kim Bombshell said:

Having respect for the music is not the same as supporting the music. I suppose it's hard for me to grasp not wanting to participate in the rockabilly/psychobilly scene, when a person dresses, and does their hair like the people who do participate.

As for Streetdogs....I try never to miss a show since I first saw them open for Tiger Army in 2004.


Natalie said:

I didn't say I don't respect the music, I just said that I have a different taste in tunes and those are the shows i like to attend, everyones got their own opinion- i read you went to a streetdogs show, hell yes.

Kim Bombshell said:

read my last post on the subject. It's about giving back to the genre that is responsible for what you enjoy, because when the trend is over, they will still be there and still appreciate the pin-up art form.

Natalie said:

Daddy Cool made a good reply...i absolutely love classic Hollywood glamour, there is nothing more beautiful to me, I love to make my hair look fancy and dress "pin up esque" because agggainn..there is nothing more classy looking. BUT I don't listen to rockabilly music, I like it, but it's not my deal.. I love music from hardcore punk to sinatra.. TO ME I definitely don't think that makes me a poser for loving the pin up style, just saying!

[Wink Holliday]

I hear what you're saying, Kim, and I agree... somewhat.
I'll go to a show when I can convince someone, anyone, to go with me (if it's not on a weeknight, and the cover isn't too steep). But I live in the suburbs. All of my friends are married, stay-at-home types, and I don't want to drive into the city solo to participate in the "scene," such as it is around here. I love the music, but I hate the crowds and I can't afford more than two drinks at the bar. When I do go, I'm generally not dolled up in my finest frippery. Unless you know my face or recognize my dye job, you won't have any idea that I'm a pinup model.
As for the current trend that you indicate the bands have started: I honestly didn't realize that there WAS a current trend. I've been collecting and wearing vintage for as long as I've had money to spend on my own clothes. Without revealing my age, let's just say it's been a long time. I've been going to car shows ever since I could convince my dad to bring me along, which was pretty much as soon as I was old enough to understand "Don't touch!" I probably started drooling over Edith Head costume designs while still in the womb. So I ask you, in all seriousness, when did this trend start and who is responsible? I really would like to know more about the bands, and be able to support them, but if they're coming through Denver, they have piss-poor promotion.

[Page Against The Machine]

i LOVE rockabilly. love it. but i don't think you're really grasping what i'm saying - let's give some background info.
i've always loved what is called "rockabilly". i've always listened to elvis, buddy holly, chuck berry, roy orbison. as i got older my musical tastes expanded GREATLY and started to include swing and big band from the 30s and 40s which is when i became attracted to older movies, stars and styles. early in high school shortly after i discovered punk rock i found SuicideGirls which introduced me to word "pin-up". i've since left SG behind but i've been a pin up fan ever since. my love psychobilly came as a natural progression from punk rock. my love of pin up photography and my love of rockabilly and psychobilly, though they've come together in recent years are two very different things and how i got into both of them are in no way related. as for vintage hot rods, i've always loved old cars but i don't (and can't) drive cars so i was never a huge fan. as you can see, i in no way fit all of your requirments of being a pin up fan or even model.
my point is that although rockabilly is a huge part of your particular pin up lifestyle it's not necessarily the same for others. many people's interest in pin up and burlesque didn't stem from a love of rockabilly, doesn't include rockabilly and hasn't been kept up by rockabilly. this is why i think it's unfair to chastise those that fit the visual profile of someone into rockabilly but aren't heavy into the music scene. it works backwards as well. i would never assume someone's into pin up because they're into rockabilly.
rockabilly may be what gave birth to the scene for you, but it isn't the same for everyone (even if they do live in your area).

especially in areas like mine where there is absolutely NO rockabilly/psychobilly scene.

Kim Bombshell said:

You don't have a love of the rockabilly subculture, music, lifestyle like I do. You don't have the perspective I do, regarding this issue. I am not a solitary voice when I started this thread. It is a complaint many people who have been dressing like this, going to car shows, owning custom cars, dancing at shows, for decades share. Like I said in the first post, I have respect for pin-ups like Bernie, who do attend events, have fun with it and also make a living promoting this great lifestyle.

I will stand on my opinion that it only hurts BOTH subcultures (rockabilly and pin-up) to not support the Rockabilly music scene when you are a pin-up. After the fad from the internet wears off, who do you think will be the fans, and want to view this art form? ROCKABILLY MUSIC FANS who are committed to a lifestyle.

Miss Paige said:

but if you don't actually like the music why would you go to the show? i love live music and can sit through almost anything and more importantly, dance to it... but not everyone is like that. i wear clothes that make me look like a metalhead but when i go see metal bands live i literally get headaches.

i know that the look and the lifestyle have stemmed from the revival of the music but at this point it's almost become seperate.
i don't think it's fair to condemn the people that can walk the walk but can't rock the rock. they're not talking advantage of these musicians. they're not benfiting specifically from anyone in particular and turning their backs on them. like daddy cool there are plenty of pin up fans who don't care for rockabilly at all, the look is what's important to them. I'm sure that any pin up girls that don't go to the shows appreciate the way that the music has paved but I don't think it's necessary to go to every show if it's really not your scene. That seems more like faking it than keeping it real.

Kim Bombshell said:

Just for the record, I like many types of music. I attended a Streetdogs show last week, and they are far from Rockabilly.

The whole modern pin-up phenomenon is a result of the mid 90s swing, rockabilly, and custom car subcultures becoming more popular. You would not have this pin-up lifestyle (left the quotes off!) without the music. That is what my pet peeve is...what I see as an exploitation of a subculture that I love. I know pin-up does not equal Rockabilly, and vice-versa. Without Rockabilly, Viva Las Vegas weekenders(and other popular weekenders), the custom car scene, how popular do you think pin-up style photography and modeling would be? Where would people view this art form and where would it have come from? For over 30 years this was not the style of dress, photography, hair, etc. The music is what spawned it, and the internet has broadened the audience for it.

All I ask is that all of you models who are marketing and benefiting from the rockabilly and psychobilly music scenes, give back by attending shows where you aren't booked for an appearance, and explore the subculture. Learn to dance, and appreciate how fun the subculture is. It really is a lifestyle and not just an image.
Miss Paige said:

but pin ups aren't necessarily part of the rockabilly subculture. i know plenty of pin ups who's knowledge of rockabilly goes no where past knowing a few elvis tunes. although pin up and rockabilly/psychobilly overlap a great deal being a rockabilly fan does not a pin up make and vice versa. i'm a huge fan of pin up photography and although i do like rockabilly/psychobilly it's not my favorite genre. my favorite bands are the beatles, led zeppelin, joni mitchell, bob dylan... pin up music? i don't think so. and if there were a rockabilly show the same night as a more classic rock style band i would probably attend the latter.
musically based subcultures are a difficult thing to fit into sometimes because even though the style, and lifestyle in general can attract you, sometimes the music does not - such is the case with daddy cool. i love a lot of very gothic and metal based styles, but i detest metal music (aside from danzig. genius!) and most of the people that fit into the "goth" subculture. i may wear black and like skulls but i don't like marilyn manson and when someone bites me i'm going to yelp.

a look is simply that, a look. although certain looks have become associated with certain types of music or movies or other pop culture items they aren't necessarily in bed together.

Kim Bombshell said:

Daddy Cool said:

I'll reply to this because as a fan I think it applies to me. I have always been a fan of the style. Unfortunately my career doesn't allow for the individuality the lifestyle enjoys. Does this bother me? Nope. I'm just fine as a technoyuppie who gets all snazzy every morning to goto work with his laptop strapped to his back. This shows I don't claim to live it, thus I'm not a wannabe and would hate to see "fans" put in quotes like you did Pinups.

I'm a club Dj, I spin house music, far far from rockabilly and the typical genre that members of this lifestyle enjoy, I live eat and breathe house music but I greatly enjoy all genres (except country). Does this make me less of a fan? nope, BUT I can't say you'd catch me at a show because I'd be the guy wearing nice black italian leather shoes with a parted hairstyle. Not exactly the type of guy who'd be rockin tats up my arm (which I love!) Thank goodness for Dee loving rock because with her beside me my tolerance for the music is now than normal. Models are just that, models. They are meant to be versitile, if they have the look and the ability to play a role and capture an era they should go for it, and paired with the right photographer, they can achieve it for all of us to enjoy. I personally don't feel they should be considered anything less if they don't enjoy one part of the lifestyle, or don't participate actively. Much like people and politics, you don't have to necessarily like every view your candidate has to belong to the party.

I know that lots of people never knew where to find all their local events because a central hub for the lifestyle did not exist, that has now changed and many many people here are finding some incredible events and people in their areas already. Kim, I'd love if you could add these local events to the Events area of the site so that Dee and I could attend and participate a bit more! We're in east bay and would love to meet up sometime.

Perhaps what set off my thought process was the fact that Pinups was put in quotes, thus in "internet speak" sarcastically stating the term. But don't mind my dos centavos, I'm just a huge fan that drives a classic car daily and doesn't really fit the mold but gave everyone a place to call home on the internet. ;)

You live in the east bay? You MUST attend some shows at the Uptown in Oakland!!!! Every Monday is burles

[Kim Bombshell]

I'm leaving this alone for now! I think I stated my point, from what I see and have experienced! And if anyone is in the east bay...come out Friday Night to the Uptown to see the Chop Tops!

[Samantha Valentine]

Yes... I tried to attach their MySpace pages to my post.
XoXoX

Kim Bombshell said:

are they on myspace? I love to find new rockin' music I haven't heard before!

Samantha Valentine said:

I love love love going to live shows and listening to music. I will always support local bands and you don't need to get me anywhere to make an "appearance."
Check out my locals:
Raygun Cowboys
Pete Turland
Nightstalkers
Jukebox Shock
XoXoX
p.s I just came in to edit..... the links are not working, boo!!

[Knockout Nikki]

Agreed.

For years I've been attending events and shows to support the music I've always loved.
Actually some of those events, Kim and the girls put on.
I think it's crazy not too go esp. if theres an invite for everyone to attend.
They are posted online all over the place.

Some people might have different tastes, and thats great.

I really think if your gonna sport the look at least hang out and party and have a fun time.
Nothing wrong with an invite.

Support your local concerts and car shows!

xoxo Mrs. Nikki FoldCrazy.