Out the Door is Montreal rockabilly/country sensation Bloodshot Bill’s second release available through Transistor 66, Winnipeg’s leading rock and roll powerhouse, and about his millionth release overall.
Bloodshot Bill is one of those artists who seems to have a never-ending supply of material ready to record at any moment, churning out 7-inches and LPs like the record pressing machine has been permanently stuck in the “on” position.
This rockabilly maniac is known for his signature live performance style, which features a pajama-clad, greasy-haired Bill, crooning, shouting, yodeling, and snorting his way through a vast catalogue of songs, while simultaneously playing the guitar and the bottom-half of a drum set with his feet.
No stranger to side projects, Bill has joined forces with such names as Mark Sultan and UK garage rocker King Khan to form bands like the Ding Dongs and Tandoori Knights.
Released in early 2012, Out the Door is a five-song 7” record that provides a nice little sampler of the many facets of Bloodshot Bill.
High-energy tracks “Out the Door” and “Rattle My Brain” showcase Bill’s unique singing style that sometimes sounds like a rock and roll sound effects reel, in a really good way; picture Hasil Adkins’ music on steroids and even more badass. I had the pleasure of performing these songs live with Bill last time he was in town and the experience was unreal.
“I Saw You Crying At at the Show” draws heavy influence from Hank Williams, with Bill lazily crooning along to this laid-back, slower number.
The last song on the album, “Degueu Burger Radio Ad,” which translates to “disgusting burger,” was created as an advertisement for a burger joint in Montreal. Bill also starred in a commercial for the same restaurant featuring the singer chowing down on some “disgusting burgers.” He once told me that rather than spitting out the food after every take as is usually done while filming food advertisements, he actually ate about ten burgers throughout the course of the commercial shoot and made himself really sick.
Do yourself a favour, pick up a copy of Out the Door and then go check out Bloodshot Bill live next time you have the chance – you will not be disappointed.
