Reykjavík Grapevine - 04.06.2010, Side 45

One thing that has always puzzled me
about the music scene in Reykjavík is
the unfortunate lack of rockabilly. I know
there are a handful of crusaders carry-
ing the rebel torch over here, but they
alas only hold a small candle to the other
Scandinavian countries and the rest of
Europe. I believe this to be a great musi-
cal and cultural tragedy, especially con-
sidering all the great things this music
and fashion scene has to offer the youth
of today.
Rockabilly had humble beginnings in
the south of the United States. Sam Phil-
lips—who owned and operated Sun Re-
cords—was solely responsible for signing
the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and
Roy Orbison to name a few. However, the
real music was fairly short lived before it
was commercialised into what became
known as rock ‘n roll. The wild, raw, crude
and plain exciting rockabilly records that
remain from that time are no different
from the early punk rock of the UK. It’s
about feel and attitude, not perfection
and production values. So since those
early days of glory when Gene Vincent
and Eddie Cochran could be heard on the
radio, it’s never really gone away and is
always resurfaced coming back stronger
in fashion and culture.
ducks arses on Teddy Boys
The Teddy Boys, as they were sometimes
called, really emerged in the early 1950s
in a post-war Great Britain. Teenage
gangs were formed and could be seen
hanging out on the streets and alleys of
East London.
For the first time since WW2, the
economy was revitalised, providing op-
portunities to the youth of the nation.
They were now able to purchase clothes
and records. Most of these youths were
working class men, newly discharged
from their draft in the army. Many of them
were considered to be dropouts and
troublemakers, not to be messed with.
Looking for an identity of their own,
not wanting to be like their parents, they
adopted a style they could call their own.
It was a cross between Edwardian upper
class gentlemen attire, circa 1901-1910,
and that of the early Western steamboat
gamblers from America. Their jackets
were hand-tailored fit to measure four
to six inches below fingertip length. They
had velvet collars and cuffs and the lining
was normally a bright red or other shock-
ing colour. The trousers, often referred
to as drainpipes, were tight fitting on the
bottoms, accompanied with day glow
socks. Other accessories included the
slim Jim tie and bootlace tie, as well as the
Chantilly lace tie wore by early American
Gamblers.
The term ‘Teddy Boy’ actually came
from a newspaper article published in
The Daily Express on Sept 23rd 1953,
where the word “Teddy” was used as an
acronym for Edward. The funny thing is
what was once worn by upper class gen-
tlemen was now the uniform for razor-
carrying, cosh-wielding East End men-
aces to society! The early Teds also had
a super greasy hairstyle nicknamed ‘the
Quiff’ or ‘duck’s ass.’ It was also known
as the ‘Tony Curtis’. A metal comb was
always used for hair maintenance.
Plug plug plug my shop
So now I’ve filled you in on some of the
historical background behind the music
and how it relates to style and fashion. It’s
just a matter of time until you’ll need this
info, as these trends always go full circle
and reappear.
I’m not expecting drape-clad youths
wearing blue suede shoes hanging out in
gangs on Laugarvegur though! Still, that
would actually be kinda cool. I do, how-
ever, suspect some new styles showing
up in the very near future.
You can sample the music on Reyk-
javík’s one and only rockabilly show, on
X-97.7 on Sunday afternoons. This show
is conveniently sponsored by my shop,
Wildcat, which aims to promote rock’n’
roll culture and fashion. Wildcat also ca-
ters for men’s and women’s vintage hair-
styles, just so you know.
Lastly, with the huge success of the
whole fifties pin-up style, ala Dita Von
Teese and Bernie Dexter promoting the
whole Betty Page appeal in the US, it’s
only a matter of time before the trend
reaches Icelandic shores! So get your
boppin' shoes on, slick back that hair and
join the rockabilly party. My motto has
always been “No flairs! No Squares! No
Hippies!”
Did you know Smutty Smiff - the article's author - wrote a book on rockabilly? 'Cuz he did!
33
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 07 — 2010
Licensing and
registration of travel-
related services
The Icelandic Tourist Board issues licences to tour operators and travel agents,
as well as issuing registration to booking services and information centres.
Tour operators and travel agents are required to use a special logo approved
by the Icelandic Tourist Board on all their advertisements and on their Internet
website.
Booking services and information centres are entitled to use a Tourist
Board logo on all their material. The logos below are recognised by the
Icelandic Tourist Board.
List of licenced Tour
Operators and Travel
Agencies on:
visiticeland.com
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We’ll be here, to
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Stay at Reykjavík City
Hostel or Reykjavík
Downtown Hostel.
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Reykjavík Needs Rockabilly!
...and I am here to help
Music | Rockabilly
SMUTTy SMIFF
JULIA STAPLES