by Rachel Terzo
Get out the pomade and leather jackets, Rockabilly is very much alive in the Mid-Ohio Valley thanks to Cadillac Lester.
An eclectic group of guys, David McIntyre (upright bass), Jesse Forest (lead guitar/vocals)and Tom Trout (drums, vocals) are bringing classic ’50s tunes alive, and also performing classic punk and newer rockabilly/psychobilly covers. Their covers songs range from Johnny Cash to Stray Cats, Social Distortion and Danny Gatton.
The band originally formed in early 2009 as a 4-piece, including a rhythm guitarist.
Some of Cadillac Lester’s influences are Brian Setzer, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry, Reverend Horton Heat, Supersuckers and Mike Ness.
These guys are no stranger to the music scene. When guitarist/front man/vocalist Jesse Forrest isn’t delivering rock ’n’ roll guitar riffs to the masses, he’s banging on the drums all day for Black Bourbon Devils – a local alternative rock band.
Bassist David McIntyre has a mixed bag of tricks on his upright bass, including but not limited to random audience members sitting or standing on his 6-foot bass guitar. McIntyre previously played for Rockabilly band Thirteen Thirteen. When asked what influences are behind the man with the giant bass, McIntyre said, “I listen to a lot of punk and ska. The Clash, Social Distortion and the killer Jerry Lee Lewis.’’
Drummer/vocalist Tom Trout keeps a steady beat, and occasionally gives the crowd a drum solo. Trout has been playing music with multiple bands for over 20 years, and also plays guitar. He likes David Allen Coe and the New Bomb Turks. When he is not playing out, he is a family man and works full-time at a local plant.
‘‘We do plan to tour, and would like to play in cities around Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh in particular has a vibrant rockabilly scene,’’ Forrest said.
Cadillac Lester started playing music again earlier in the summer, and so far they have only played locally. The band has played two shows so far. They kicked things off at the Marietta Rivers, Trails, and Ales festival in August.
Their first set brought out a mixed crowd, all of them tapping their feet or bopping their heads to Cadillac Lester’s catchy ’50s songs. No matter what sort of mixed music tastes were floating around in the crowd, everyone was having fun.
Their latest show at the Adelphia brought a packed house, and a dancing audience in front of the stage.
“My favorite part about this band is that everyone is in it for the music. It's supposed to be fun and energetic. If we make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. We keep playing, the crowd keeps dancing,’’ McIntyre said.
“No upcoming shows, but we are available for any events, and we will be playing out in the Mid-Ohio Valley regularly in the next few months,’’ Forrest said.
Get out the pomade and leather jackets, Rockabilly is very much alive in the Mid-Ohio Valley thanks to Cadillac Lester.
An eclectic group of guys, David McIntyre (upright bass), Jesse Forest (lead guitar/vocals)and Tom Trout (drums, vocals) are bringing classic ’50s tunes alive, and also performing classic punk and newer rockabilly/psychobilly covers. Their covers songs range from Johnny Cash to Stray Cats, Social Distortion and Danny Gatton.
The band originally formed in early 2009 as a 4-piece, including a rhythm guitarist.
Some of Cadillac Lester’s influences are Brian Setzer, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry, Reverend Horton Heat, Supersuckers and Mike Ness.
These guys are no stranger to the music scene. When guitarist/front man/vocalist Jesse Forrest isn’t delivering rock ’n’ roll guitar riffs to the masses, he’s banging on the drums all day for Black Bourbon Devils – a local alternative rock band.
Bassist David McIntyre has a mixed bag of tricks on his upright bass, including but not limited to random audience members sitting or standing on his 6-foot bass guitar. McIntyre previously played for Rockabilly band Thirteen Thirteen. When asked what influences are behind the man with the giant bass, McIntyre said, “I listen to a lot of punk and ska. The Clash, Social Distortion and the killer Jerry Lee Lewis.’’
Drummer/vocalist Tom Trout keeps a steady beat, and occasionally gives the crowd a drum solo. Trout has been playing music with multiple bands for over 20 years, and also plays guitar. He likes David Allen Coe and the New Bomb Turks. When he is not playing out, he is a family man and works full-time at a local plant.
‘‘We do plan to tour, and would like to play in cities around Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh in particular has a vibrant rockabilly scene,’’ Forrest said.
Cadillac Lester started playing music again earlier in the summer, and so far they have only played locally. The band has played two shows so far. They kicked things off at the Marietta Rivers, Trails, and Ales festival in August.
Their first set brought out a mixed crowd, all of them tapping their feet or bopping their heads to Cadillac Lester’s catchy ’50s songs. No matter what sort of mixed music tastes were floating around in the crowd, everyone was having fun.
Their latest show at the Adelphia brought a packed house, and a dancing audience in front of the stage.
“My favorite part about this band is that everyone is in it for the music. It's supposed to be fun and energetic. If we make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. We keep playing, the crowd keeps dancing,’’ McIntyre said.
“No upcoming shows, but we are available for any events, and we will be playing out in the Mid-Ohio Valley regularly in the next few months,’’ Forrest said.