Meaning of Psychobilly in Music
Psychobilly is a fusion genre of rock music that combines elements of rockabilly and punk rock. It is characterized by its energetic and frenetic sound, often featuring fast-paced guitar riffs, slap bass, and aggressive vocals. The term "psychobilly" was first used by the band The Cramps in the 1970s to describe their music, although they later clarified that it was not meant as a specific style but rather as a way to attract attention to their shows. The genre draws inspiration from various sources, including 1950s rockabilly, horror films, and carny culture Notable precursors to psychobilly include artists like The Cramps and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Psychobilly has a diverse range of themes in its lyrics, often exploring dark and macabre subjects such as death, horror, and the supernatural
A derivation of rock music that incorporates elements of rockabilly, punk rock and other genres. The typical band is three musicians using typical rock instruments of electric guitar, drum kit and bass, however, the double bass is preferred over the electric bass of the rock bands. The lyrics are often written for their shock value and can be violent or sexual in nature, but are often presented in a way that is funny, satirical, or irreverent. Part of the psychobilly culture is having fun.
The term "psychobilly" was first used in 1976 when the country song, "One Piece at a Time" described in the construction of a "psychobilly Cadillac". The term was subsequently applied to the emerging genre of music that was starting in Europe in the early 1980s. The London-based band, The Meteors, are considered the first band in the psychobilly genre, and The Reverend Horton Heat band from Dallas, Texas brought popularity to the genre in the United States almost ten years later with the release of their 1990 single "Psychobilly Freakout".
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