By Kevin Griggs
So I get this email from Spencer Garn on Sunday inviting
me to come to The EARL on Tuesday to see his three piece The Jaguars. The
Jaguars were opening up for Nashville’s Los Straitjackets and El Vez's Viva
Christmas show. This was the second time I got to hear this super tight
lounge/surf trio play. These guys are so, so very cool and the rhythm section for
local soul girl Ruby Velle to boot. Hearing The Jaguars play can fool your brain
into thinking your at a Ventures show in the '60s. The sound is classic with rich
organs, deep reverb, and echoes. Mark Raudabaugh keeps the trap kit on lock down
and Scott Clayton bends the strings into a psychedelic bliss. My only regret was
not having stiff cocktail.
In just a few minutes time, after The Jaguars
finished, The EARL was packed with rock-a-billies, tattoos, and pompadours. Los
Straitjackets are also an incredibly tight instrumental band. All the songs
played where classic Christmas songs with a surfer/rock twist. They have been
doing the Christmas theme music for years and even use to play Conan O’Brien
during the holiday season in the late '90s. El Vez brought his Elvis styled
antics and the El Vettes to add some vocal support. The show was visually
captivating. There where four dudes wearing black suits and luchador masks just
behind El Vez in a Santa costume and his two candy striped El Vettes. Between
the ripping guitar riffs, El Vez's splits, and the hot El Vettes it would be
hard not to stare.
The Jaguars:
