from Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on lubbockonline.com

It’s been more than 25 years since Jim Heath first put pick to string as The Reverend Horton Heat. What has evolved over that quarter of a century has become known as punkabilly — a mix of punk, rockabilly, country, big band and swing — and the sound is as hot as ever.

The new CD, “Laughin’ & Cryin’ with the Reverend Horton Heat,” is “kind of from a regular guy point of view,” says Heath, the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and founder of the band. “You know, I like to do stuff that’s kind of tongue-in-cheek that makes fun of the good old boy thing as much as trying to glorify the country boy thing.”

Their latest CD is a definite deviation from the hard-rocking, bass-slapping tunes fans have grown accustomed to. But one thing fans know about the Reverend is to expect the unexpected. “Laughin’ & Cryin’” is dripping with country-laden laments and honky-tonk tinged songs about crazy ex-boyfriends and beer bellies big enough to set your drink on, but the main theme is one near and dear to the hearts of the members of band: Texas.

Of this recurring theme, Heath notes, “Texas is still home and the people have a love and appreciation for it and for us that others just don’t have.” The album contains two songs about the Lone Star State and the rest, he says, are just songs about the good ol’ boy way of life.

“I really wanted to capture the feelings of the recordings of the late ’50s, early ’60s,” Heath says.

But, don’t let the country twang fool you. With the unique vocal stylings and blistering guitar licks of Heath on guitar and vocals, Jimbo Wallace riding the bass like a bucking bronco (and slapping the strings with the ferocity of an alligator with a toothache) and new drummer Paul Simmons beating the skins like a red-headed stepchild, the Reverend Horton Heat still burns up the stage and never disappoints.

Just coming off of an extensive second tour of Australia — including the Meredith Music Festival and mostly sold out shows after the release of their tenth studio album — Heath says there are so many songs to choose from and so many hits the fans hope to hear that the hour and 45 minute set list changes from show to show.

“Albums are like an advertisement to get people to come out to the shows to see what we really do,” Heath confided.

(read full story on lubbockonline.com)