The Southern California-based instro surf-garage rock combo Los Straitjackets seldom play here but head ‘Jacket Eddie Angel is winging his way to town for a gig at the Continental Club on Thursday.
Angel’s big twang draws from SoCal favorites such as Dick Dale as well as the Ventures and Link Wray, whipped into a combustible sound and ignited by Angel’s guitar playing. In addition to Los Straitjackets, Angel also plays with the Neanderthals and the Planet Rockers, performing the kind of timeless rock that maintains a rabid following just about everywhere around the world except the United States.
Opening are local keepers of the instro flame, 3 Balls of Fire, who perform their own set before being joined by Angel. 3BF leader Mike Vernon has recently been splitting residences between L.A. and Austin, honing his already fierce guitar by the California surf then bringing it back to the Texas limestone. Vernon and Angel met up in L.A. and the idea for the Texas mini-tour was born. After Angel and 3 Balls of Fire, the fuel-injected sounds of the Thunderchiefs rev up the post-midnight crowd.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, Eddie Angel will indeed be wearing a Mexican wrestling mask, the true sign you’re in the presence of the King Straitjacket.
This article appears in January 16 • 2009.