Straitjackets cut loose in Troy

By DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Special to the Times Union

Published: Thursday, October 20, 2005

TROY -- If there are no singers in the band, whose job is it to tell the guitar player to turn it down?

No one!

And that's usually the case with instrumental guitar band Los Straitjackets, but on this tour, they've decided to shake it up a bit and bring vocalist Big Sandy for the ride (ex-frontman for Big Sandy and the Fly-rite Boys).

The Nashville-based band features local-boy-gone-good guitar ace Eddie Angel, as well as Danny Amis (guitar) and E. Scott Esbeck (bass). The slippery string-benders have rode the rockabilly revival to surprising heights, often showing up on national television shows such as Conan O'Brien.

At Revolution Hall, the boys were resplendent in black turtlenecks and, of course, their trademark Mexican wrestling masks. Like Kiss removing their makeup, you'd think that someday they might reveal their faces and remove the masks, but that hasn't happened yet. (Don't hold your breath.)

Kicking off with "Outta Gear," the Straitjackets pounced upon the decent-size crowd, with new drummer Teen Beat (Jason Smay) in tow. They wasted no time breaking out their best moves, turning in different directions in unison, like guitar-playing synchronized swimmers.

Angel was featured in "Itchy Chicken," nearly pulling the strings off his guitar as well as throwing in some nifty hands-over-the-neck maneuvers and death-defying whammy bar work. Amis soon had his turn, burning up the fretboard with "Tailspin."

After a handful of songs, singer Big Sandy (yes, wearing a mask) joined the fray with "Yes I'm Loving You," his thick, rich voice perfect for this material.

You haven't lived until you have heard "Hanky Panky" sung in Spanish -- Los Straitjackets even chimed in on backup vocals, showing the crowd why they never should sing.

Sandy cut loose on "Down the Line," and "Sing Sing Sing" was pure guitar mania. The rollicking "California Sun" and "Yama Yama Pretty Mama" took it home in a big way.

You couldn't find a more perfect opener than The Hi-Risers, whose superb musicianship, tight harmonies and crisp arrangements powered "Top Shelf."

Drummer Smay (who might have been with Los Straitjackets, but then again, he was wearing a mask ...) was exceptional, using traditional grip and swinging like there's no tomorrow.

With their period suits and retro gear, it looked like an early '60s time capsule -- as if you were watching a lost clip from the "Ed Sullivan Show."

It all led to the "I Found My Baby on My Lost Weekend."

MUSIC REVIEW

LOS STRAITJACKETS featuring BIG SANDY

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Revolution Hall, River Street, Troy

Length: Los Straitjackets, 75 minutes; Hi-Risers, 45 minutes.

The crowd: Packed with sharply dressed men and women

Highlights: Los Straitjackets' "Itchy Chicken"; Big Sandy's "Yama Yam Pretty Mama"; the Hi-Risers "I Found My Baby On My Lost Weekend."