Discography

The debut record from the Straight 8s 'Casualties of Cool' was released in March, 2004. While this CD is now out of print, they do pop up on Amazon and ebay from time-to-time.

BY POPULAR DEMAND, NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD FROM CD BABY (iTunes coming soon!)

Here’s what reviewers and critics (from the USA and abroad) have to say about the record:

“Damn, I wish there was a band like the Straight 8s ‘round here. I’d sleep a bit better at night knowin’ a great rockabilly show was only a week or two away. “Neo-rockabilly” may be a fair label but all 14 songs are tight and showcase the whole band - not just one dude wankin’ on the guitar. No overproduction issues either. Sounds great in the living room, sounds perfect in the car.”

- Back Woods Beach Party CFFU 93.3 FM, Ontario Canada

“I get dozens of CDs sent to me for review every month. I can barely keep up with the writing. And although most of them are pretty good or better, only once in a while there’s an album like this one, that sends shivers up and down my spine from beginning to end.”

- Black Cat Rockabilly, Netherlands

“Not since the Stray Cats ruled the boards in the early 80s has a group seemed so determined and dedicated to its own unique vision... the Straight 8s approach the rockabilly altar with genuine musical chops and a flair for testifying on behalf of this sturdy American genre.”

- Jeremey Haden, Cleveland Country Magazine

“The entire collection of original compositions is so consistently excellent, it’s impossible to pick a favorite; every listen catches a different mood, offering greater appreciation of the diversity of the authenticity of each song... this North Carolina trio delivers 106 octane so clean it doesn’t need a catalytic converter, so sweet you’d swear it was runnin’ on maple syrup.”

- Dante Murphy, Port Halcyon Magazine

“I highly recommend this album to anyone listening to contemporary rockabilly or anyone with eclectic taste. Whatever your bag, it’s in here.”

- Cleveland Rockabilly Uprising

Rockabilly, Neo-Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Jump Blues, Swing, Surf, blah, blah, blah ... Hell, I guess labels are a necessary evil on some level, but still ... All we really know is that the Straight 8s like their rock-n-roll from an era when it was still pink and raw. A couple of guys banging out basic rhythms, playing their underpowered amps louder than they were designed to go, smackin' their instruments hard to get more, and straining their voices to be heard in a world that was desperately trying to hold it all back.

'Never Return To Me' was released in October of 2007, as the follow-up release to 2003's 'Casualties of Cool'. Using the same adept writing skills and catchy rhythms, Robert Striegler, Pat Mcgraw and Bernie Fox returned to the studio to knock out another 13 tracks of what can only be called ... well, that elusive knack the Straight 8s have for just plain great songs! There's energy aplenty here folks.

“Rockabilly's reputation is built on a primal sound that's equal parts raw energy, skittering guitar, accelerated-heartthump rhythm and the clinking of longneck beer bottles. It's the musical equivalent of a high-speed chase, albeit one that lasts only a few miles. On their new Never Return to Me..., Hillsborough's Straight 8s have songs that fit that mold to a tee—one, no doubt, with sleeves rolled up. But the trio also wanders freely outside the prescribed boundaries, slipping the bonds of tyrannical purism known to plague rockabilly. The Straight 8s wear such versatility well with the record's three instrumentals. But the 8s are at their best when melody meets rhythm halfway on charmers like "I Wanna Know" and "Baby, Baby, Baby!", which owe more to the Everly Brothers and golden age country music than they do purebilly. ”

- Rick Cornell, Independent Weekly

“The Straight 8’s have commanded the East Coast rockabilly scene for a reason. Their style, energy and abilities are unmatched and Never Return To Me drives the point home. A darker side of the 8 moves in with King of Fools. Anger, emotion and drive make this (my favorite track) the cornerstone of the 8s new sound. “I wish for everything, but what remains”, Striegler denounces. If you have been a lover of the 8’s, this new sickboy attitude will only make things better. Damn, what an album!”

- Lisa aka Rockabilly Babe

“The Straight 8s have become one of the most respected purveyors of modern Rockabilly (with elements of Swing, Surf, and other precious debris), earning not only the acknowledgement of respected scenesters and the enthusiastic approval of neophytes, but also the begrudging appreciation of those grimacing loathers of all things 50's. "What's their secret?" you ask. It's their pure love of this music that gives it honesty, allowing retro elements to reconfigure into bright new constellations. It's also the capturing of that wild glint in the eyes of the first rock'n'rollers and making you swear it was their own. It's their ability to do what ten thousand of other bands do, but do it better. This disc doesn't sound tired or uninspired, but instead growls, bumps, and bites as this Rockabilly beast keeps evolving.”

- Rock-n-Roll Purgatory

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Started in a Western Wyoming honky tonk, Razor Point Record Company had one idea in mind.. produce a sound that carries weight in today’s Hot Rod and Rockabilly scene. Keeping it simple was the philosophy. Lo-Fi and Pure! Like it was recorded in Mama’s barn.

The Straight 8s contributed the prestigious opening track for the compilation - “Ground Zero” from their second full-length CD “Never Return to Me”.

“The Howlin’ Sessions compilation CD, Sessions Volume One, starts things off right with Straight 8s smooth instro-mental “Ground Zero”. Gritty and impressive, the cut features dark bass vibes, fully realized drum backdrops and guitar licks that do all the talkin’ ”

- Richard Davis, Ol’ Skool Rodz Magazine

This is a split label sampler between Rock-N-Roll Purgatory in the USA and Raucous Records in England. Several songs are previously un-released or are non-album versions. You get 27 bands and over 73 minutes of music. Most songs are on the Rockabilly end of the spectrum, all imbued with a good dose of punk rock spirit and energy. There is even some juke-joint blues and honky tonk thrown in to give the proceedings added body and fullness.

This compliation was released in January of 2007. The Straight 8s contributed “Misunderstood” (track 7).

Shake The Shack Rockabilly Ball Vol. 2 (2005)

From the 18th Annual Shake The Shack Ball in Seattle featuring: Lil' Bit & The Customatics, Hillbilly Hellcats, Sid King & The Five Strings, Cari Lee & The Saddle-ites, Crazy Joe & The Mad River Outlaws, Marshall Scott Warner, King Memphis, 18 Wheeler, Hopped Up, The Straight 8's, Nicky Kay & his Fabulous Kay-Tones with Maery Lanahan, and The Donettes.

The Straight 8s contributed “Rocket Ship Rock” (track 12) and “Gypsy” (track 13).

If you would like to attend the next Shake the Shack Ball, please check out the website for KEXP 90.3 fm in Seattle, sponsors of the event.

You can check out pictures (and even the set-list) from the 2005 show by clicking here.

The music of the Straight 8s is also featured in the AMS Pictures 2007 documentary film “Bodacious Boots”. This film explores the history, mystique, and fashion of the ever-popular cowboy boot, and includes interviews with Kelly Lebrock (model/actress), Lyle Lovett (country singer), and Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

What is really interesting, is that a film made in Texas, about cowboy boots, and featuring country music artists, would include an instrumental surf song by the Straight 8s. Not complaining... just sayin’. Hehe. “Anne Bowman” from Casualties of Cool is the track.

Check out the following link for more info, or to order your own copy today!