Rip Dizzy, local surfer-punk-pop-rockabilly prodigies, began playing together in 1995 and are about to release their 4th album, to the delight of their longtime fans. For those unfamiliar with the band, the talented trio consists of lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter Shawn Bolling; drummer Mike Stetina; and bass player Shea Roebuck. Their philosophy is one to be admired. Bolling says, "Shea, Mike, and myself have been friends for a long time and that just makes the band that much better. I think it shows in our performance that we really, really enjoy what we are doing. Also, we play what we want to play. Our personal taste dictates our setlistÑnot the latest greatest hits on the radio. I think that results in a show that is genuine, not contrivedÉsort of anti-establishment you know, rock and roll." Their songs go from the pure fun to the political, including a tribute to "SexDrugsandRockandRoll," and a twangy treatise on "progress" in Virginia Beach called "One Big Red Stoplight."
Despite their love of playing out, Rip Dizzy cut back on the show schedule this past year to spend some quality time in the studio. Now, on the brink of the release of their latest CD in early March, they are back in circulation. In addition to playing locally two or three times a month, the band will likely be traveling to NYC to promote the album, performing in such famed punk venues as CBGB's and Continental. Although they are still with Gotham Records, being shopped around for movie soundtracks, the new album will be released on their own label, Chromatone. It seems we can add production to RD's many activities.
Throughout their musical careers, the band members have been highly involved in the local music scene. Drummer Stetina, formerly of the Lemmings, has groomed many a future musician as a band teacher in the Virginia Beach school system; bassist Roebuck, formerly of the Hollowbodies, now also plays with a bluegrass band called the 3-Legged Backporch Collective in addition to his day job manufacturing soundtracks for cop shows; and Bolling is one of the best sound technicians in Hampton Roads. They are well-respected in the local musical community, and this is apparent at their shows. "We are lucky to have a ton of friends who are also talented musicians and they often get up onstage with us. We always seem to attract musician-types out to our show. Either they like what we do or they know that they might get to see a "trainwreck." Bolling's claim is endearingly self-deprecating, especially since the band's sound is so tight, but the concept is all part of the fun of live performances. As he announced on stage at a show in January, "The third set is a free-for-all, a hullabaloo." (He's probably the only guy we know who can sound cool saying "hullabaloo.") The band then proceeded to jam on some Devo, Stetina and Bolling on vocals, while Larry May of the Candy Snatchers and The Crums sang with them. Stetina managed to work "Am I the only one who knows the words to this song?" into the actual lyrics, while they laughed and played to the whistles of the crowd. Demonstrating the respect this band has earned from other musicians, May ended his performance with his own tribute to Rip Dizzy: "Get used to lovin' em." Well said, Larry.
* "musician slang for when a band totally falls apart in the midst of a song" --Bolling