OKAW
E-Mail Contact: ss@seatbeltsounds.com

NEW CD “Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs” available now at CD BABY and iTunes

I RECKON :
Aug 19, 2008 After reading this review of the Ray Campi show at Blue Cafe last Saturday night, things became much clearer. I mean, I realized as I watched Ray Campi that I was getting schooled, but who knew it was TRAFFIC school? I know Ray has been a teacher for a long time, here’s wishing him success in his new venture. As for Seatbelt and The Pecking Order, we had a lot of fun opening for Ray Campi. Some of the other bands, like the Honkys and especially the Hot Rod Trio were great. Some bands cancelled, and I was asked at the last minute by the promoter if we would go on after Ray, like at 12:30. Since we’d already sold tickets and told people we’d play at 7:00, I tried to compromise and say maybe we could play another set after Ray, but we would like to play our early slot. I guess the love of the music only goes so far; after our set and sitting through three more bands, we were toast. Hot, drenched, and wrung out like a dishrag, we stumbled off toward home in the warm summer air, our pockets a bit lighter but our spirits a bit higher. Thanks to Jen for the great pictures, more are here.—SS

Aug 15, 2008 SEATBELT and THE PECKING ORDER wil NOW be playing at 7:00 PM SAT AUG 16, that’s TOMORROW! with RAY CAMPI, The Hot Rod Trio and others!
Here is a link to the Story the music writer dude at Random Lengths News did on us!

Aug 11, 2008 SEATBELT and THE PECKING ORDER will be playing at 6:00 PM on the main stage at BLUE CAFE in LONG BEACH on SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 with RAY CAMPI and THE HOT ROD TRIO. Advance tickets are $12 and are available at GUITAR SAFARI, 424 West 6th Street, San Pedro, California 90731 Phone: 310-547-9355. If ya scroll down their page, you can see a couple of photos from the Flowers and McLean show at Sacred Grounds last Thursday. I’d post some photos but don’t have any yet. Thanks to Bob from RANDOM LENGTHS for writing a very nice piece about SEATBELT AND THE PECKING ORDER in the latest issue. Nice layout, too. It doesn’t seem to be up on their website yet, though.—SS

Aug 6, 2008 Just came across this photo of me with Deke Dickerson at this past year’s VLV. I, of course, am completely sober. —SS

Aug 5, 2008 I’ll be playing a set at Sacred Grounds as part of the acoustic Cosmic Country duo Flowers & McLean this Thursday, Aug. 7, at 7 PM. This is part of the Guitar Safari Presents series of First Thursday shows at Sacred Grounds Coffee House, 468 W 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone: 310.514.0800. We’ll play our own songs and a few classics from the likes of Gram Parsons and Hank Williams. Should be a yippin’ good time! Oh, yeah, I just had to do a new poster for the Rockabilly Revenge at Blue Cafe Sat. 16. Graphic designer-itis, fer sure. —SS

Aug 4, 2008 What a swell time we had at the Taste in San Pedro yesterday. It was a nice sunny day, the crowd was having fun and the rockabilly pirates were out in force. It was truly a good time. We shoulda recorded a live album. Thanks Gerit for the photos. We were interviewed after the show by Bob the Music Guy from Random Lengths, that was fun too. Look for us in an upcoming issue.— SS

July 21, 2008 Some new photos are posted on the Photos page. Check ’em. Besides The Taste of San Pedro show, Sunday August 3 from 4:15–5:30, we’ll be playing a show at Rockabilly Revenge 4 at Blue Cafe in Long Beach on Saturday, August 16, with rockabilly legend Ray Campi, and also the Hot Rod Trio. Not sure of the time yet, more info as details arrive. This will be an all-day event at the Blue Cafe, going from 4 in the afternoon until 12 at night. The last one of these had Wanda Jackson and was a lot of fun to attend. In other news, my beloved Gretsch Country Club needs a neck re-set and will be out of commision for 4–6 weeks. Bummer! In still other news, we will be announcing our new MySpace page soon! In still more other news, I, Seatbelt, will be doing a thing at Soundwalk in Long Beach on Sat., Sept 20. My proposal was to do a show called Echoes of Elvis where i will mix loops of Sun Records stuff with live echo-laden guitar and viocal sounds. Using tape echo and looping devices, this is meant to be a tribute to the Sun echo sounds and how they echoed through music history. More details soon soon soon . . . —SS

July 2, 2008 We played a couple great shows over the weekend with new Doghouse bass player JimBob “The Kid” who did a fine job on short notice. We have wanted to have an upright bass player for a long time, it really is the definition of rockabilly. We would like to thank Smitty for a great run as bass player and wish him all the best with future band projects. He really is a great guy and a great pal.

Seatbelt and the Pecking Order will be playing at The Taste of San Pedro this year, Sunday August 3 from 4:15–5:30. Here is a link to our bio on their site. Come on out, it should be fun.—SS

June 5, 2008 R.I.P., Bo Diddley. Really strange, but over the weekend someone told me Bo Diddley was dead and I said, “No, . . .” Then Monday, he IS dead. Strange. A true pioneer who never got his due. How many others have a beat named after them? “Say Man” is one of the funniest things ever recorded and it was in the tradition of talking blues which later birthed rap. Bring it to Jerome.

We’ve got a show Sunday, June 29th at Blue Cafe at 10:30 PM. We will also be playing at The Taste of San Pedro this year on Sunday, Aug. 4. More later. —SS

May 2, 2008 Recovering from the opening of Flowbee’s new guitar shop, Guitar Safari. The neighbors were so welcoming! There are a couple of new gigs on the shows page, Sat May 17 at The Relay For Life Benefit for the American Cancer Society at San Pedro High Field. We’ll play at 5:00 PM this year, they had a great sound guy last year and will have the same this year so it should be fun. Then we’ve got Sat June 27 at Godmothers in San Pedro. They are booked until August, oops, I mean September, um, October already, so we were liucky to slip in. VLV was great, below is a picture of Deke Dickersen playing upright bass, he deferred to his guitar player Mad Joe most of the night and it made me think, I gotta start playing the doghouse too if I ever wanna hear one in my band. So, I’m getting my bass dialed in now. Also is a picture of my new guit, a ‘68 Gretsch Cateye Custom with Supertron pickups and my National amp. Gear porn. —SS

April 25, 2008 Back from VLV. Pics to come soon. Had trouble with the site but seems to be fixed. Hang in there, more gigs to be announced soon. Gettin’ my upright bass together at the moment. —SS

March 13 , 2008 Here’s a link to the Blue Cafe calendar. We’ll be playing upstairs in the Blue Room on Sunday, March 30, at 8:00 PM. Hope ya’ll can make it.

I just ordered the DVD of Teenage Cruisers, a porn film made in the late 70s which had a rockabilly soundtrack, including Billy Zoom, Charlie Feathers, Johnny Legend, The Blasters and others. I’ve had the lp of the soundtrack for twenty years, but I’ve ever seen or seen offered for sale before the actual movie. Should be a laugh riot.

Gettin’ ready for VLV this year, April 10-13th in Sin City. Should be more rockabilly music than ya can shake a stick at. Maybe someday we’ll be PLAYING there. —SS

March 3 , 2008 To all those who missed our debut, we’ve got another show upcoming at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach, on Suday March 30th at 8:00 PM. Early enough on a school night. There will be no Oscars broadcast on that date either. We’re not listed on their webite yet, but rest assured we will be there . . . We are the first band that night as part of their ongoing rockabilly/psychobilly “Church” shows. We had a great set last time, and plan on an even better one on the 30th of March so hope to see all your smilimg faces there. Not sure who the other bands are yet but will let ya know soon.—SS

February 15 , 2008 We’ve got a show Feb 24th at Blue Cafe in Long Beach as part of their Sunday Rockabilly/Psychobilly “Church”, although it ain’t the churchy-goin’ type o’ church social thingie, lemme tell ya. The other bands are the Midnight Boys, who come on early, and Tex Beaumont and the Fabulous Dialtones, which sounds like a mix of our Drummer, Tex “Flowbee” Aubergine and long-time Pedro fave band, †he Dialtones, but it ain’t! Just so’s ya don’t get cornfused er nuthin’. Whew! —SS

February 6, 2008 ONE MORE TIME . . . WITH FEELING! SEATBELT and the PECKING ORDER will be playing THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 9, at SUPERCROSS in SAN DIEGO. The event is in the pits at Quaalcom Stadium, at the Toyota Fasthouse stage, from 12 noon to 5 P.M. This will be the fourth and last time we will play for the Supercross fans. Here’s hoping they like the Rockabilly in San Diego. Every other time I have played in San Diego I’ve gotten great response. After all, it is the home of Dan McLain, known to you maggots as the late Country Dick of the Beat Farmers fame. He was one of the most entertaining performers I’ve ever seen, and a nice guy to boot. I spoke with him a couple of times after shows, and he was always funny and cool to talk to. We do/did share the same last name, albeit spelled differently. His performances were always beer-soaked revelations filled with song, stories and laughter. We’ll try and do a Dick song in San Diego, like “Big Ugly Wheels” or “Happy Boy” or somethin’. After all, last week we played “I’m at Home Gettin’ Hammered While She’s Out Gettin’ Nailed”, a song that I’m sure Country Dick would’ve loved, and, if drunk enough, claim to have written, as he and Mojo Nixon reportedly did about “Are Ya Drinkin’ With Me, Jesus?” An easy enough mistake to make.

Also, we have a new single, Rockabilly Stalker B/W a non-CD track, Lonesome Tears in My Eyes. Thanks to Charlotte Keyes for the awesome cover painting. This new item will only be available at shows so come on out. —SS

January 29 , 2008 YES, we will be at SUPERCROSS III THIS SATURDAY, Feb. 2 from 12–5 at The Pits, in the Toyota Fasthouse booth at Anaheim Satdium. Here’s another clip from the YouTubes. of us doing a number on Billy Lee Riley’s Flyin’ Saucers Rock n’ Roll at Supercross II. Thanks, digammo! It looks like we were having fun. That was real nice of Elrod to put a link to our site, a picture of our new CD and some photos of us playing at Elrod’s Fasthouse at Supercross I. Thanks, Elrod! See ya Saturday. More gig news soon. —SS

January 25 , 2008 There is a video of us playing Break Her Down at Supercross last Saturday on the You Tubes here. Don’t know who took it but thanks for sharing! —SS

January 24 , 2008 We had a helluva time at Supercross II last Saturday, whew! My knees hurt from landing on ’em! There were a lot of pix taken but I haven’t got any of them in my hand at the moment. In the meantime, here’s another shot online at mxgirls.co. More when I get ’em —SS

January 11 , 2008 Time for a new standing-on-the-kick drum picture. This was taken by Jen at the Supercross pits at Anaheim Stadium. Thanks! We had a blast playing for the zombies, I mean race fans. We’re scheduled to be back there for Supercross II on Sat. Jan 19 rain or shine. I prefer shine, dont you? We may also play Sat Feb. 2 . This and this may convince someone. There are a bunch of pics of us on Moto sites, including VitalMX.com and Transworld Motocross.com, check ’em if ya get a chance. More photos here. Get Dirty! —SS

January 4 , 2008 The Show Must Go On! Looks like we WILL be playing at Supercross at Anaheim Stadium Pits tomorrow come rain or come more rain. The hours are from noon to 5, and we’ll play as much as there is time between downbursts of rain. They say the heavy stuff is supposed to be over by then, but are “they” EVER right? Look for us under the tarps with our slickers on, rockin’ out. STADIUM ROCKABILLY!!!! —SS

December 28 , 2007 This just in . . . Seatbelt and The Pecking Order will be playing Sat. Jan 5 at SUPERCROSS, at Anaheim Stadium. We’ll actually be playing at the Toyota “presence” (booth) in the pits from 12-5 pm. The booth is set-up to be a re-creation of Elrod’s Fasthouse, a sort of speed shop/tract house from the early sixties. We’ll be playing several sets so if ya are a Supercross/motorcycle fan, come on out and check it out! Thanks to Gerit, Howie and Cindy for inviting us. —SS

December 28 , 2007 Just so ya don’t think we’re the only ij-its who cancel shows . . . I was all set to go see the Reverend Horton Heat tonight and was all stoked because Hank III was opening . . . of course, Hank cancelled several dates due to a bad case of strep throat. Luckily I found out before going, or I woulda been pissed . . . Um, I mean, I would have understood completely. Happy Nudie Year! —SS

December 10 , 2007 How The Grinch Stole the XMAS Show: Sorry to anyone who came out to Godmothers on Saturday to find that SEATBELT had cancelled. Flowbee felt his wound was too serious and couldn’t play. I spent hours calling every drummer I knew and some I didn’t but everyone was busy and no one could sit in. So again, sorry to all who drove miles to see the show . . . blocks? . . . Would ypu believe walked across the street from The Whale and Ale??? We will make it up to you some day, some way, I promise. —SS

December 7 , 2007 Blood on the Traps? Flowbee cut his finger badly and has been saying he might not be able to do the show on Saturday night. On the advice of Godmothers’ Dr. Bartender, he may be using the old Crazy Glue and duct tape trick to make it through. He also floated the suggestion of playing the whole show with one hand loose, like the Charlie Feathers tune come to life. We’ll see, but at this moment THE SHOW IS ON!!! —SS

November 29 , 2007 There is a nice piece on our new CD, Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs, in this week’s OC Weekly. Thanks for the kind words! I love the part that says, picture Charlie Feathers Drunk and angry. Nailed it! For song clips from our new CD, go to CD BABY or iTunes, I haven’t updated them on OUR website yet. Ominously Joylessly yours, —SS

November 27 , 2007 Happy Tuesday! Whatever! We had a great time playing at the Anarchy Library with the Curb Hounds and the Neighborhood Bullies. That pad is only a 15 minute drive from LB and is definitely funky! We did one of our best shows, sorry if ya missed it! The Curbhounds are sorta cowpunk and real good, the Bullies are sorta garage rock and real good too. It was a great night of music and fun. If ya missed it, we’ll be playing Sat Dec. 8 at Godmothers in San Pedro. Flowbee is trying to make the night into a star-studded Christmas charity event but plans haven’t been finalized yet. I’ll spew more info when I get it. Here is a photo of the Anarchy gig and there are more on the photos page. Thanks, Jen! —SS

November 14 , 2007 At our Sat. Nov. 17th show at The Anarchy Library in Downey, we’ll be playing at 10:00 PM, instead of 10:15 PM as the flyer states. Fifteen minutes is enough time to become famous. We are also playing Sat. Dec. 8th at Godmothers in San Pedro. Time for that show is 9 PM–12 AM. Here is a flyer for that show. Sorry, no nudity this time. On the flyer, I mean. —SS

November 6 , 2007 There is a “new” Johnny Burnette and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio CD/DVD out, with the DVD consisting of the trio’s September 1956 appearance on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour finals held at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The DVD contains the whole episode, including corny jokes and commercials, all products of the pharmaceutical company that made Geritol, Serutan, etc. In that respect, the show is not much different than I guess American Idol is today, they’re still sellin’ snake oil. Liberace is one of the other “talents”. The interesting part is not so much the trio’s performance, a rockin’ version of Hound Dog ironically done the same night Elvis performed it on the Ed Sullivan show, but the interview portion. Ted Mack asks the trio if they know Elvis, and Paul says he worked with him at Crown Electric. Asked what they had been up to, Johnny replies they had a new album out , and corrected the name, which Mack had stated as “the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio”. “The name of the record is the Johnny Burnette Trio album”, says Johnny, and you can just imagine Dorsey fuming mad! This single vocalization on Johnny’s part on national TV probably had a lot to do with the break-up of the trio just before they filmed their part in “Rock, Rock, Rock!” and Dorsey was replaced with Elvis’ bass player Bill Black’s brother, Johnny. The brothers Dorsey and Johnny Burnette were very competitive and also Golden Gloves boxers, and had taken to fisticuffs before! They held it together through the TV show, but a gig at Niagara Falls the next month ended in a violent confrontation and Dorsey bailing. The Ted Mack show is a great time capsule and window into the trio’s demise. The CD portion is another repackaging of the same material I have in every format, but it does include two previously unreleased tunes the trio recorded before their Coral Records sessions. The two tunes, an early version of “You’re Undecided” and ”Go Along Mule” were recorded for Von Records in 1955 and released under the name “Johnny Burnette”, which of course chapped Dorsey to no end. Both songs are much more in a hillbilly style rather than rockabilly but are great to hear, especially the way they re-worked “You’re Undecided” for their Coral debut single. The disc also for the first time calls the playing of Paul Burlison on the later records into question, saying the parts were played by Grady Martin at the insistence of producer Owen Bradley. This has been taken as common knowledge for years, but I’ve not seen it written on their releases before. Paul is dead and so only they know for sure, but it is a bit of a shocker to think Paul didn’t play those great riffs on “Train Kept a Rollin’.” I also want to point out what I’ve noticed for years but never seen anyone comment on: The playing style on “Honey Hush” is almost the same as on “Train”, and the picking on “Sweet Love on My Mind” is very closely related to “Baby Blue Eyes”. This may actually bolster the Grady Martin argument, in that he had a bag of tricks and could do enough variations on tunes to sound unique but also of a family. Whoever did the playing, these recordings are to me, the epitome of rockabilly music. —SS

November 2 , 2007 Besides our Sat. Nov. 17th show at The Anarchy Library in Downey, we’ll be playing Sat. Dec. 8th at Godmothers in San Pedro. A few more tricks up our shotgun cuff sleeves, too. —SS

October 22 , 2007 Yesterday started calm and clear, then became windy and dusty, so much so that at the antique swap meet, every other step was punctuated by the sound of breaking glass or china, and falling pictures, easy up tents, and the like. Strange how quickly things can change. The strong winds whipped fire throughout Southern California, and by nightfall, it seemed the ending days were upon us like we had jokingly mentioned that afternoon at the swap meet. To hear the words mentioned by our President and Vice President in the last few days is to be reminded of how fast cataclysmic change can be unleashed. These warmongers are not happy with the two current wars they have; they want a third war in Iran. Like ventiloquist and dummy, they mouth unsupported-by-fact invective damning Iran as the enemy du jour who must be invaded immediately to avoid WWIII. What an ironic twist it will be when our unwarranted invasion of Iran by these war criminals is actually the tipping point to start WWIII. By then, it will be too late. Oh, yeah, I’ll post some pictures of our last gig tomorrow. —SS

October 17 , 2007 Thanks to all who came to our CD release party and hope you enjoyed yourselves half as much as we did. Photos soon. We have a show booked for Saturday, Nov. 17 at The Anarchy Library in Downey. We’ll be sharing the bill with a band called the Curbhounds. Thanks, Kevin, for the invite! More info, like set time, etc. to come soon. —SS

September 28 , 2007 There is a piece in the current issue of More San Pedro about our new CD and the CD Release Party this Friday, Oct. 5. You can read it here. Thanks to The Daily Breeze and Rachel Jones, who did a fine job. Thanks also to Steve McCrank, who took the photo that appears in the printed version. If any one has an extra copy, I could really use it to line my birdcage . . . Here is a link to a website called SanPedro bands.com that also has a listing for our upcoming show. Thanks loads! My pal the Perfessor made me a fifty foot guitar cord I’m gonna try out this Friday—I’ll be able to make it to the bar while the other guys are playing. Why not just go wireless, you might ask? Good Question. If I was in a Madonna Cover band. See ya Friday. —SS

September 28 , 2007 Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs is now available on iTunes. Both the entire CD and individual songs are available for purchase. So BUY SOME ALL READY! We’ll also have plenty of copies to sell at our CD release party, next Friday, Oct. 5 at Godmothers in San Pedro. The first 10 people who buy a CD get a free poster, too! What a bargain! There will be some special surprises, I swear! Guests! New tunes! Midgets! I mean, little people! Circus clowns! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! —SS PS I updated the link to the Tielman Brothers, seriously, ya GOTTA SEE THIS!!!

September 17 , 2007 Some New Photos. ‘Bout time. —SS

September 17 , 2007 Hey! Don’t miss the big SEATBELT and The PECKING ORDER CD RELEASE PARTY and SIDESHOW, Friday, Oct. 5th at Godmothers in San Pedro. We’ll be pullin’ out all the stops for this one, including special guests, giveaways, and other fun stuff. We’ll be playing the entire CD, all 14 songs, something we’ve never done before and may never do again! Don’t miss it!!!!

August 31 , 2007 You Gotta See This. Seriously. Who are these guys? They ROCKED. If ya can’t dig this, ya can’t dig Nothin’!!!! Thanks, Flow. —SS

August 20 , 2007 More airplay: We got our tune “Shake That Rack”, about BBQ (the worst single-entendré ever) played on station KEXP 90.3 FM on Friday night, on their show “Shake The Shack”. Hmm. “Shake That Rack” on “Shake The Shack”—why, it writes itself! The rockabilly show on KEXP Friday nights from 6–9 PM is hosted by Doctor Leon Berman, “The Proctologist of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Their slogan is “We put the F.U. in FUN!!” No wonder he played US!! Thanks a lot! If this keeps up, someone might book us! Now, another picture of a pompador. Enjoy but don’t try this at home! —SS

August 18 , 2007 To the growing list of minor rock stars (I hate that term) doing children’s music, add the name of Jason Ringenberg, of “cow-punk” band Jason and the Scorchers. In what looks like an attempt to mimic Dan Zanes, of 80s band the Del Fuegos, who now does very successful children’s CDs, Ringenberg has adopted the persona of Farmer Jason. It must be that he has kids now too. My daughter likes Dan Zanes, and I have to say I like the fact that he doesn’t pander and plays cheap vintage guitars with a lot of tremelo effect on a lot of his songs. He even throws in a union-type anthem now and then. I also was a fan of the Scorchers years ago, but wasn’t too keen on Ringenberg’s solo record. I do think the Farmer Jason persona is all right, and the spud will probably like him too. I guess Seatbelt will have to do the first kids’ rockabilly Cd, although as I write this, I’m sure someone else has done this or is working on it. As of today, Seatbelt is too. “Put All Your Money in Your Pocket” and “No More Monkeys Jumpin’ on the Bed” are sure to be on it. Jumpin’ the Kid music train, —SS

August 16 , 2007 Elvis Still Knockin’ ‘em Dead . . . A woman died yesterday waiting in line in a procession to Elvis grave, in advance of the 30th anniversary of his death. Fans braved 105-degree heat to pass by the grave near the house at Graceland. In other death news, Tuesday the 14th was also the 43rd anniversary of Johnny Burnette’s death in a boating accident in 1964. —SS

August 14 , 2007 If you happen to be in Connecticut tonight, be sure and tune in WNHU 88.7 FM to the show GO KAT GO! where Michelle will be spinning CATFIGHT! from our new CD. She has a cool show, their website is www.gokatgoradio.com and she says she will add a link to our site under the “bands we spin” section. Thanks a lot, Michelle! If we do make it to do a show in Connecticut, we’ll come see ya! Thanks for the kind words!

We are planning our “Official” CD release party for Friday, Oct 5 at Godmothers in San Pedro. Hope to see ya there. —SS

August 2 , 2007 We’re on CD Baby now. YES, you can now buy the new CD, “Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs” for home or industrial use. As I write this, the promo packs are hitting the mail truck bed. Fingers Crossed behind my back. —SS

July 26, 2007 Lots going on . . . the picture above is from Godmothers. July 5, 2007 show . . . Thanks for the photo, Jen! More to come soon. Our new CD will be available on CD Baby SOON. We will announce a CD release party soon also. Soon, Soon, Soon . . .Do I sound like Woody Allen? —SS

July 19, 2007 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED . . . the new SEATBELT and the PECKING ORDER CD is in my mitts . . . and we will be playing TOMORROW NIGHT (FRIDAY JUNE 20) at GODMOTHERS in SAN PEDRO . . . from 9 PM to 12 AM or so . . . the new CD Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs WILL BE AVAILABLE!!!!! FINALLY!!!

July 3, 2007 Ahh, the Fourth of July . . . the aspens have already turned . . . and Scooter Libby is free . . . although not pardoned, because then he would give up his Fifth Ammendment right against self-incrimination and could be hauled before a Congressional committee and either testify or be held in Contempt of Congress . . . Look for that pardon as Bush is headed out the door in January 2009 . . . it is as inevitable as the aspens turning . . .

The NEW CD has been mastered (thanks Killzone Music!) and is being reproduced at this moment. Should be in our hot little hands in about ten days. The CD, Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs, will be available on CD Baby. More info soon on the upcoming CD release party. See ya at Godmothers in San Pedro on Thursday, July 5th, also known as Bloody Thursday on the docks.

May 31, 2007 We had a great time playing at the Relay For Life event at SPHS. Thanks for having us!

Our next two shows are : Saturday, June 16 at Eastview Little League Field in San Pedro, time TBA. Then, Thursday, July 5, Godmothers, San Pedro. (See our SHOWS page for more info.) The New CD, Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs will be mastered and done VERY SOON! HOLD YOUR BREATH. —SS

May 23, 2007 Controversy? You want controversy? No, Not Alberto Gonzales. We all know he is a liar. Or incompetent. Or both. No, I’m talking about the controversy about where to re-locate the Eastview Little League fields in San Pedro. They are currently, and for the last 45 years, located on fields at Gaffey and Capitol, land originally leased by DiCarlo’s Bakery. When the bakery went bankrupt, the land was sold to Target stores, which is evicting the Little League. The search has been on for a new temporary location, and the main site in contention was 22nd street, on Port-owned property. Knoll Hill was chosen, however, against opposition from homeowners groups in BOTH locations. It seems that the 22nd street location is in the area of the Bridge to Breakwater project, and changing that would require the whole project to come to a grinding halt. All of this will likely be dealt with TONIGHT, May 23, in a meeting of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Planning Committee, at San Pedro City Hall, 638 S. Beacon St, Room 452, at 6:30 P.M. As an aside, Seatbelt and The Pecking Order will be playing at a farewell party for Eastview Little League’s old location, on the field, Saturday, June 19th. The time has yet to be determined, but it seems there is some controversy about that as well, as an un-named band is trying to wedge in on the action and is possibly altering the line-up. More info soon. —SS

May 9, 2007 Since I never rant about anything, except the complete ineptness and corruption of the Federal government, which no one seems to care about, I thought I would try something different. I’ll write about a TV show! It’s called Miami Ink. I like to watch it because it shows a couple talented tattoo artists doing their work. What I don’t like is all the BS in between, personality conflicts, blah blah. There has been an ongoing conflict between one of the artists, Kat Von D, and the shop owner. Kat is one of the artists whose work is fantatstic, and she’s also hot. The other great artist is Chris Garver, who brought her out from LA to fill in when one of their artists couldn’t work. So, last night is the season finale, and every break says she (Kat)‚ is gone. Finally, in the big confrontation, the shop owner lets her go. Tearfully, she leaves, upset. It is a dramatic moment. What a drag! There goes half the reason to watch! BUT WAIT! The next commercial is for Kat’s new show, LA Ink. Ever felt had? I guess I should know better but that was pretty lame! I don’t think I’ll be watching EITHER show again. —SS

May 3, 2007 Once again, mastering was delayed. This time because the guy who is going to do the mastering had to enter the hospital. Get well soon, man! Seriously, he should be okay in a few days, and I wish him the best. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get to mastering this project soon.

Our next show will be Saturday, May 19th at 3:30 PM at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, to be held on the track at San Pedro High School. This is an annual event and people run or walk and camp out too, while a stage in the center of the track provides music and “entertainment”. As someone who lost a parent to cancer, I was more than willing to volunteer our “services” to this worthy event. We’ll be previewing our new CD so try and make it out and support a good cause! —SS

April 25 , 2007 The new CD was supposed to be at mastering last night, but the pad was double-booked. Next Tuesday. Speaking of getting hosed, that reminds me of Viva Las Vegas. There we were, standing in the hot Vegas sun at the car show, actually in line to get water. I was so hung over I couldn’t even have a beer until late in the afternoon. Anyway, some jerk stomps on a mustard packet on the ground and five people got their backs covered in mustard! Three of them were with me! I thought it was water or something at first, by the time I realized what it was, the f-stick was gone. After twenty minutes of trying to clean up the mess with napkins, I gave up and bought a new t-shirt. It kinda ruined the experience. It seems funny now, but at the time I was not laughing! Well, sorta. But it hurt too much to laugh so I waited until later to see the humor. Mustard been funny to the dope who did the stompin’! Below are pics from VLV 10: Sleepy LaBeef, Car Show, James Intveld. —SS

April 12 , 2007 What the hey, I couldn’t wait. Below is the cover of the new Seatbelt and the Pecking Order CD, Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs. Available soon.

April 12 , 2007 Hello and welcome back! yes, it’s been quite awhile but the Seatbelts are still here! I just got back from Viva Las Vegas, the rockabilly weekend getaway. It was great! More about that later. Our CD is finally almost mixed and the artwork is done! Mastering is next and then it will be done, on earth as in heaven. Can I get a hallelujah? Hellalujah? Whatever. Okay, the name of our new opus is Modern Sounds in Pagan Love Songs. Yup. I’ll post the cover soon. Stay tuned. —SS

January 12 , 2007 Seatbelt and the Pecking Order are scheduled to play at February’s First Thursday Art Walk in San Pedro, on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at the corner of 6th Street and Mesa. We almost played last month but it was last minute, literally, late the night before, and it looked like rain. Playing outdoors with vintage gear in the rain just made no sense, so we passed. Hopefully, there will be no rain on Feb. 1st. We played here last year, and it also threatened to rain that night, although it didn’t until after we were packed and gone. Let’s hope our luck holds this time as well. We’ll be doing finishing touches on the CD this weekend! Yeah!! Then comes mastering and I’ve got a guy in mind for the job. Things are underway, really, it’s NOT “stay the course”. Really. —SS

January 3 , 2007 Another new year. Sorry that the website was “down” for a few days. I guess there are these things called “bills” that have to be “paid”, otherwise your website goes “down”. Who knew? Anywho, the new year means a new start and the long-awaited Seatbelt and The Pecking Order CD is almost finished and will be out this year for sure. The new single, Catfight! will be up on the tunes page soon, and we’ve got some video coming too. The working title for the CD is “Commercial Suicide”. Not really, that’s the DESCRIPTION of the CD, not the title. Look for it not in stores this year. Are there actually ANY record stores still open besides Fingerprints in Long Beach, and Amoeba? Please, send in any open record store sightings and we’ll post ’em. Happy New Year. —SS

December 8 , 2006 Stop the presses! I’m going to yet another Hat Party this weekend! Who knew? They’re all the rage. Get with it and either go to one or hold one. Unless yer not “with it”. I just hope my Grand Poobah fez is back from the dry cleaners, otherwise I’ll have to wear my everyday Rank-and-file fez. It would be like a de-motion. Another one. Hats off to ya.—SS

December 7 , 2006 Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum: You celebrate your holidays your way, I’ll do it mine. Or someone else’s, as at the “Hat Party” we played at last weekend. That means you were supposed to wear a hat. That’s the whole concept. Pretty cool, huh? We had fun although it was windy and our hats, as well as the canopy and gazebo covering us almost blew away. We are available for all corporate holiday parties, but that schedule is fillin’ up quickly so get on it. More pics on the Photos page —SS

November 17 , 2006 Anybody there? Still here. Just recovering from the aftermath of watching my pick-up truck go up in flames. Yes, it burned to the ground. Yes, I had insurance. Liability only. Yes, both the truck and yours truly got hosed. Below is a pic. Also the grille I wanna replace it with.

We had another recording session last Saturday and looks like all basic tracks are now done, so look for our new CD to be done in months rather than years. —SS

October 26 , 2006 I love LA. Traffic, yeah, and did I mention the traffic? It took me an hour and a half to get to the Derby. That was fun. Then I set my amp up onstage, but it was the wrong stage. While another “band” was playing, I had to climb up onstage and grab my amp off. It was the most humiliating moment since, um, I’d have to go back a long way. Anyway, once we were set up, it was good clean fun. Except for our filthy songs. That is nothing new, however. It was a lot of fun playing the legendary Derby stage, even if it was the stage in the other, small room. I want to give thanks to Manny of Fleeting Trance for putting the whole thing together and having us play, and also to Joey Sunset for the intro. The band which played right after us was great, Lost in Smog, formerly Tokyo Smog. They did a sort of modern take on rock/rockabilly that was entertaining until their set was ended when the ceiling started collapsing. We went outside for some fresh air and to confirm the structural integrity of the building. When it seemed safe, we came back in and had another Newcastle. Did I mention the traffic? —SS

October 18 , 2006 Hope to see you THIS FRIDAY at THE DERBY at 9 PM SHARP. We will be rockin’ the pad. Guaranteed. Swing dancers allowed.

Civics 101 Quiz: How many convicted felons are currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives? Hmm, convicted, you say? Why, none of course! That’s what you’d think, wouldn’t you? But you’d be wrong! The correct (ha!) answer is one, and that would be Republican Bob Ney (R-Ohio), who has pleaded guilty to felony charges yet will not resign from Congress. The Refublican leadership, including Speaker Dennis Hastert, has said they will demand his resignation when the lame-duck session of Congress reconvenes. This is the same type of non-leadership leadership which got them in trouble with Mark Foley. I can’t understand why they do not demand his immediate resignation! His felony was committed in office! He took bribes! Yet, he is still drawing a salary, and stands to make something like $10,000 in pay by waiting to resign. As a tax-paying citizen, I am outraged that the taxes I pay are going to a person convicted of a felony for taking bribes while in office! Concerned about taxes? Demand Republican Bob Ney (R-Ohio) resign NOW!!! —SS

October 5 , 2006 I went to the FCC hearing on media consolidation in El Segundo on Tuesday night. If you didn’t hear about this before hand, well, then things went as planned. Corporate media does not want public participation in these hearings because, in the words of FCC Comissioner Michael Koppes, “Public comments have been running about one hundred to one against furthur media consolidation.” This is an issue I have long followed and been astounded by. The issue involves whether media companies should be able to own more outlets in given markets, for instance, television, radio stations, and newspapers in one city. The arguments against furthur consolidation are that it would lessen diversity in the media marketplace, and have a negative impact on localism, or local issues being aired. The panel members at the hearing got to make a five minute statement after the FCC Comissioners had made their statements, then it was opened to public comments. One panelist was an economics professor from Stanford hired by big media companies like Fox and NBC, who claimed that when examining media consolidation, all logic goes out the window. He then proceeded to throw all logic out the window by making a flawed analogy between owning media outlets and owning bakeries. I’m sorry, Professor, but you are comparing apples to oranges! A bakery needs an oven. A media outlet needs airwaves, of which there is a limited number and they are supposedly owned by the public. If I wanted to open a bakery, I could buy an oven and do so. I could NOT, however, open a radio station without being shut down and prosecuted for infringing on Big Media’s grip on the airwaves. The professor was heavily booed by the audience. I didn’t stay for the entire session of public commentary, but everyone I saw was against more media consolidation. I hope the FCC gets the message, but with the Republican-appointed commisioners outnumbering Democratic-appointed ones 3-2, I don’t really see that happening. Hopefully, people will wake up to the fact that a government where all branches are controlled by one party which consistently carries water for corporate Amerika is a genuine threat to democracy and the American Dream. Do I make you a little horny? —SS

September 28 , 2006 Keep those cards and letters coming. Both of you. I mean it.

Went to the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA and they had this Cars and Guitars of Rock Stars exhibit, which included the picture below of Reverend Horton Heat’s ’50 Ford, immortalized in his tune, “Reverend Horton Heat’s Big Blue Car”, and his 2005 Gretsch White Falcon. Watch here for my photo which will mimic/pay tribute to this display, it will be called Seatbelt’s Custom pinstriped ‘60s Silvertone Estrellita and his ‘05 Hybrid Hotrod. Stay tuned, Bat fans. —SS

September 18 , 2006 What I Did on My Summer Vacation or other essays I have written. The astute among you will note it has been exactly a month since my last post. Our bass player Smitty was on vacation for three weeks and I was for one. During those three weeks we practiced for and played at a party for a friend’s annual celebration of their birth at a club/restaurant in Silver Lake. A picture is placed below this text for your viewing pleasure. Thanks to Mr. Rocknowski for learning our tunes so fast, playing on a bass held upside down since he is left-handed, and for putting up with our antics and playing great. Mr. R. is normally a guitar player so he must be commended for such a fine job. We are still trying to find the time to finish our new CD, but we HAVE booked a show, that’s right, at the world-famous Derby in Los Feliz on Friday October 20 at 9:00 PM. More info soon. We are also playing at a big party-type event in December and more about that at a later time. There are other vacations in the works so thus the limited engagement bookings, but as soon as something changes you will be the first to know if you happen to read this post immediately after I update it. So bookmark it, list it among your favorites, then hold your breath and hang on every word! In case you hadn’t noticed my more flower-y-than-usual prose well yes, I have been writing a lot of new tunes lately in an outpouring of verbosity which will be unleashed soon. Thanks for sticking with Seatbelt® Brand. —SS

August 18 , 2006 I had fun playing with Back Home at Cave 49 in Long Beach last night. They are trying to get a regular country/roots thing happening there on Thursday nights and I support their efforts. I’ll let ya know about future shows there.

Below is a picture of a cool little National amp I got at the guitar show a couple of weeks ago. It needed a little work so I got it cheap, and my pal The Professor has it in his laboratory right now. I think it will male a great little recording amp or at least a nice bookend. Thanks, Professor! —SS

August 17 , 2006 It’s Shout Out time! I want to give a big thanks to Mario B. for helping me get this site back up. I installed the updated Dreamweaver softwear and couldn’t get anything to work until Mario stepped in to the rescue again! Thanks man! Big thanks also to Mike G, he turned me on to a Grover Imperial stairstep tuning key to replace the one I lost for my Country Club. These are almost impossible to find and Mike had a spare. Thanks! Big thanks also to Art H. for assistance in this matter!

I’m sitting in with the Back Home band tonight at Cave 49 in Long Beach, at 49 Pine Ave. Their regular guitar player couldn’t make it so . . . we start at 10:00 after David Serby and the Sidewinders. I’m sure the temp will be a lot cooler than last time! Except onstage. Wheeee! —SS

August 7 , 2006 Thanks to those who came to my little art show thingie. It was a lot of fun to play solo, since I haven’t done it in quite awhile. I played a bunch of brand new songs as well as some old ones and a few choice covers. Had a couple of guests too. The posters looked pretty good all lined up in a row. Thanks to Yvette and Janet of The Hive for hosting. Pics below. —SS

August 2 , 2006 I’m doing a little “art/music” thing tomorrow night at The Hive Salon and Gallery, 267 W. Seventh Street in San Pedro from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The “art” part is just posters I’ve designed. The “music” part is just songs I’ve written. Below is my “statement”. Yeah! —SS

July 31 , 2006 Keep those cards and letters coming! I, S.S., will be doing a solo show as just SEATBELT, with no Pecking Order, on Thursday, August 3rd at The Hive Salon and Gallery, 267 W. Seventh Street in San Pedro from 6:00 to 9:00 PM as part of the monthly Artwalk series. I was going to have a show of my paintings as well but due to circumstances, that will not take place. Instead, there will only be some reprints of past SEATBELT posters and various other music-related posters I have designed over the past few years. So, no “art” and very little “music”. Come on down! —SS

July 28 , 2006 It was hot everywhere last night but especially at CAVE 49 where Seatbelt and The Pecking Order melted everything in sight—hearts, minds, inhibitions, bar stools, guitar picks, cowboy hats. The other three bands were all GREAT, and everyone had a good time in spite of the hellish weather conditions. A lot of cold beer was consumed and free cigs given out, ya, the first ones are always free. Muchas Gracias, Pat, for putting on the big show. The hillbilly hottie dancers were great too. Here are a few pics, thanks a lot Denise —SS

July 26 , 2006 Hope ya can make it to the big show tomorrow night at CAVE 49, located at 49 Pine Ave. in Long Beach. We’ll start about 10:00, after Back Home and before David Serby, and the Road Kill Kings. Should be a blast! We will have for sale our new CD single, CATFIGHT! from our new as-yet untitled full-length CD. The single also features another track from the new album. The cover art is shown below. Hope to see you Thursday night! —SS

July 12 , 2006 We’ll be playing starting at 10:00 or so I’m told, at the CAVE 49 show on Thursday, July 27. See ya there!

We had a great time on the 4th of July, playing at two different block parties. Thanks to those who invited us and let us use their gear. All we brought were guitars and sticks, and it made it a lot more fun than last year when we tried schlepping gear to THREE different block parties! So thanks again to Steven and Dave, and to Pete and Vickey. We had a blast!

Now, about the new CD: I got my computer back after it was in the shop for more than two weeks and it finally works. Now I have to work all the glitches out of the software I had to re-load. I really hate computers. Should be up and running in a couple weeks. Stay tuned! We are so close to being finished but technology delays us. —SS

June 28 , 2006 We’ve got a new show scheduled for Thursday, July 27 at Cave 49, at 49 Pine Ave in Long Beach. Should be a blast. We’ll be playing with The Back Home Band, David Serby, and The Road Kill Kings and the music will range from rockabilly to country to bluegrass so check it out! When I get the times finalized I’ll post those too. See ya at the Hootenanny! —SS

June 28 , 2006 Well, Pardon our dust! Yes, we’re still here. Just been busy hoarding flags n’ matches in case that stupid ammendment to the Constituition against flag burning had passed. I guess us rabble rousers are safe for the time being. Anyway, our CD is almost complete but a computer crash has delayed things a little bit. Saw some great music last Friday night, Neko Case at the Henry Fonda Theatre, and Mike Stinson at the Cinema Bar. Both were hittin’ it. Mike Stinson’s new CD, Last Fool at the Bar is my pick for best songwriting of the year. Check it out!

My friend Bruce the Brush pinstriped my Silvertone hollowbody axe and it came a out cool as a cuke! Here’s a picture. —SS

February 15 , 2006 Remember Live Aid? “We Are The World”? Well, I’ve heard news of a new benefit project, this time to benefit millionaire Republican fundraiser Harry Whittington, who was shot by Vice President Dick Cheney and is lying in intensive care after a heart attack. The ad-hock rock group is going by the name Arrow Smith and Wesson, and the song they are doing is a medley of two Aerosmith chestnuts, “Cheney’s Got A Gun’, and “Dude Got Shot By Cheney”. I wish them success in their endeavor. —SS

February 14 , 2006 Happy V-Day! Love, Hallmark®.

One more: What’s the difference between a quail and a 78 year old man? The quail has two wings while the Republican fund-raiser only has a right wing. That’s how ya know which one ta shoot. Thanks, internets.

There’s talk in the air that SEATBELT may be playing out on the street at the next First Thursday™ thingie in San Pedro on March 2. Stay tuned for more details. —SS

February 13 , 2006 Note to self: Cancel upcoming hunting trip with Dick Cheney.

Did ya see who won the Grammy for best Rockabilly album? Me either.

I know, I know, I am a hyena, nay, a jackal combing the well-picked-over carcass of American roots music. But even a jackal will occassionally turn up a great morsel. I recently got a CD by Charline Arthur, described in a PBS documentary on the women of rockabilly as a prototype for the likes of Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, and Lorrie Collins. Welcome to the Club contains a generous 32 tracks of proto-rockabilly gems. Thanks again to the German record company Bear Family for resurecting these lost treasures of American roots music. It’s great that SOMEONE is paying attention. Charline Arthur was the first women in “country” music to perform wearing pants, and wear the pants she did! These tracks, even one with sugar-coated harmonies like “Honey Bun”, contain some of the finest female growling I’ve yet heard. She rocks! Really, check this out. I give it Four Buckles.

Seatbelt and The Pecking Order had a busy weekend, starting Friday night at Harold’s in San Pedro. San Pedro Slim had to cancel at the last minute, so we played first. We were followed by the Female Chauvanist Pigs and Toys That Kill, who were both great. Since no one else brought a PA, they all used ours so I apologize for that! While it wasn’t one of our best shows, it had a lot of energy and there was a great crowd. Saturday night we were supposed to play around 10 following Los Punkinhedz. When Flowbee hadn’t shown up by 10:45 and wasn’t answereing the phone, I went by to see if he was alive. He had overslept by a longshot! We set up and played about four or five tunes when Flowbee almost fainted. He had to rest a spell, and while he did, Money Mark from the Beastie Boys, who was playong earlier in Los Punkinhedz, volunteered to fill in on drums. He played our eatin’ ribs tune, Shake That Rack and it was great fun! Flowbee finished up the set in fine form. Sorry to the So Cal Music Awards people who thought we were too loud for their after party. Must rock to save world from “music” people. —SS

February 8 , 2006 STOP THE PRESSES! At our HAROLD’S PLACE show this Friday, Feb. 10, our set will start around 9:00 instead of later. San Pedro Slim and the Female Chauvanist Pigs are also playing, with the whole big wingding kicking off around 6:00 PM. So don’t forget, this weekend you have TWO chances to miss SEATBELT and The Pecking Order. Don’t blow it. —SS

February 6 , 2006 Two shows this weekend: Friday as one of four bands at HAROLD’S PLACE, 1908 S. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro for Miss Kim’s Birthday. We’ll probably play about 11:00 PM. Then on Saturday night we’ll be at SACRED GROUNDS at 468 W. 6th Street in San Pedro to play after PUNKINHEDZ, about 10:00 PM. The Southern California Music Awards sponsored by INDIE 103 are taking place next door at The WARNER GRAND theatre, so think of us as the anitdote. Or whatever. Should both be very fun and rockin’. Must rock to save planet. —SS

January 24 , 2006 SEATBELT and the Pecking Order will be playing at GODMOTHERS in San Pedro on Feb. 2, 2006 for the First Thursday Artwalk and Open air market thingie. Here’s a flyer with the details for ya.

Okaw, it’s film review time again! Last night on the cables I saw two great films. The first was called How To Draw A Bunny and was a biography of artist Ray Johnson, who was a collagist and also known as “the most famous unknown artist”. He lived and worked in New York City at the time of Warhol, Cage, Rauschenberg, etc. The coolest thing about the film was how everyone interviewed pretty much said Ray’s whole life, including his suicide, was an art project. He created something like the internet, where he would mail artworks to people.and fellow artists. His collages were really brilliant, enough so that he was also called the first Pop Artist. Open a nice bottle of Pinot and check it out.

I also finally saw Rabbit Proof Fence, the story of three young aborigine girls in 1930’s Australia who were forced to live in an orphanage because they were half-caste. This dark chapter in Australian history is played out as a drama about whether the girls can escape their trackers while navigating along a fence meant to keep rabbits out of farmlands. Thier 2,400 kilometer journey is nothing short of remarkable. A lot of the time there is no dialog, but the gorgeous cinematography leaves you feeling the dry dust in your mouth. The so-called “protector” has the best line in the film—something about how, if these people only knew that what we were trying to do was the best thing for them!!! Amazing, even by today’s standards of “the ends justify the means, no matter what”. People told me this was agreat film, and for once, they didn’t lie. Grab a Foster’s and drink it in. —SS

January 20 , 2006 New Year’s resolution: No more political ranting here! Yup, you’ll have to look elsewhere for that kind of thing from now on. I don’t want Bush eavesdropping on me so I’m not gonna give the li’l chimp any reasons. Instead, I’ll focus on the band, Seatbelt and the Pecking Order and the recording of our new CD. We’ve been working on a tune called “Timber!” which has a break in it that needed the sound of a saw cutting a tree down. I hemmed and hawed about which saw to use but finally went with my trusty True Cut tree saw. I almost went with the Marshall but it just seemed too modern. It was very hard work doing multiple takes to get the tone and rate of cutting just right! That, and there was a lot of sawdust in the studio. It’s in my genes, though. My great-grandfather was a logger in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800’s, so I had to get it right. I’ve got a great photo of great-gramps that I’ll post soon. The song itself came out pretty good, though it’s kinda silly but then, that’s the point. If a tree falls in outer space, does anyone hear it? —SS

January 4 , 2006 Once again I must extend a hearty thanks shout-out to Johnny C., also known as the Professor and/or Finger, for helping make my Gretsch Frankenstein operable. I really love this guitar, and it’s been a lot of fun getting it together but it also has had a lot of problems. Hopefully we have solved them! And by we, I mean him cause he done all the work. I brought the beer. I really wanted to get it fixed so I could continue using it while we are recording our new CD, which we are, in fact, doing at this moment. Well, not this VERY moment, I’m writing this entry. You know what I mean, smartypants. Anyway, there is progress being made, that’s all I can say. That and thanks, Finger. Thanks a lot. —SS

December 21, 2005 Here’s a photo of three Lone Rangers jamming at the Shakespeare-By-The-Sea Benefit/Holiday Party. Viva La Fringe! —SS