The Rockin' Bones

by Greg Prato
Along with such bands as 52 Pickup, Washington's Rockin' Bones (Eddie Day [lead vocals], Paul Cleary [upright bass], Dave Elliot [drums], and guitarists Bruce Katsu, Bruce Terrell, and Ben Pape) are part of the rockabilly revival scene that surprisingly reared its head in the early 21st century. Originally formed in the winter of 1993 by Day, Katsu, and Cleary, their sound is self-described as "having a more modern-day groove. We swing, but all is complementary of the songs and music coming out of Memphis in the '50s." Like their '50s influences, Rockin' Bones use an authentic rockabilly setup live -- upright bass, a drum kit that includes only a snare and cymbal, both acoustic and electric guitars mixed together, topped off with melodic vocals, as they cover favorites of such early rock & roll notables as Gene Vincent, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Burnette, and Eddie Cochran.