By: David Schultz

New York has been known as a haven for many different styles of music, birthing many others. In that vein comes the Brooklyn-based The Crevulators, inventors of the "swingin' alt-countrybilly" sound. Led by guitarist/songwriter Mike Cobb, The Crevulators, with their Southwestern flavored rockabilly music, have tied into the surprisingly strong New York country music scene and have been "crevulating" around the Metropolitan area for more than two years.



The Crevulators name derives its inspiration from the Chevy Chase comedy Fletch. "It's a made up car part," Cobb told Earvolution. While conceding that the term probably isn't in the movie, Cobb explained that with Fletch-like sincerity that it's a perfectly good reason for being late. "Didn't make it there cause the crevulator broke." The Crevulators' origins are simple. When Cobb first came to New York, a friend got him together with Greg Hillje, who ultimately became The Crevulators' bassist. Despite a drummer situation that is currently in flux, The Crevulators have continued to expand, recently adding a horn duo, The Hornulators, to the core trio.

Cobb had a taste of success with his University of Oregon college band, Lincoln Brigade. Signed to Island Records, the band recorded and released one album that was lost in the shuffle. "I think we were signed as tax write-off," jokes Cobb. After moving to Barcelona, Cobb formed a band called The Cutters and enjoyed success throughout Spain playing Americana style music, striking a chord as "there's a huge rockabilly scene in Spain." Benefiting from being billed as an authentic American band, The Cutters succeeded in becoming "a big fish in a small pond." Building on his experiences in Spain, Cobb returned to the United States, forming the Crevulators with the goal of emulating Los Lobos' ability to incorporate different elements into their music. It’s Cobb's goal to keep the Crevulators "eclectic but unified at the same time."

Cobb described the Crevulators' self-titled EP as "country, rockabilly and rootsish." However, he also takes to his former drummer's classification that The Crevulators' music falls into the "swingin' alt-countrybilly" genre. Although Cobb doesn't expound on the definition, it wouldn't be a disservice to describe it as a fine mix of Doug Sahm & the Sir Douglas Quintet and Social Distortion. With songs written and arranged by Cobb, the EP's blues-tinged lyrics and rockabilly style guitars remain up tempo throughout. "State of Mine," begins with a hoot and a holler and is the album's standout track.

Although his songs have a distinctly southwestern influence, Cobb hasn't spent any considerable time in the south, growing up amidst "Connecticut rednecks" in Norfolk, Connecticut. "I’m a Yankee but I have southern roots," Cobb explained. "To give you an idea, my mom's Mary Lou, my sister's Sally Ann, my grandmother's Sallie Mae." Raised on classic rock radio staples, Cobb recalls that "the southern thing was always in the background."

The Crevulators bring different elements to their stage show, most notably being The Hornulators, saxophonist Jeff Gray and trumpeter Jamison Sevitts. While given a chance to show their jazzy side, they also enhance and flesh out "You'd Come Back" and "Anything You Want." "They kick it up a few notches," says Cobb of his horn section. Cobb also brings his experiences in Spain to the forefront with his Spanish language "Mi Corazon." Greg Hillje brings his love for Neil Diamond to the stage, switching instruments with Cobb for an inspired version of Neil Diamond's "Cracklin' Rosie."

While admittedly a rockabilly band, Cobb enjoys being associated with the country scene, but "it's both a curse and a blessing," finds Cobb. "People tend to hear 'genre' and latch onto that, explains the singer. At present Cobb's enjoying the different energy of playing with The Hornulators. "The horns are pulling me into another direction," said Cobb. "I’m not fighting it, either."

The Crevulators will be playing Brooklyn’s Hank’s Saloon on April 7 and returning to New York City on April 22 at Otto’s Shrunken Head.