Lucky 13 celebrates 20 years

The Lucky 13 label is celebrating 20 years in the clothing game.  Back in 1991, Bobby Kloetzly along with Arnie Sakamoto and a few of their friends started the line out of a building in Westminster.  They quickly became a staple in Southern California, especially in the punk rock, psychobilly and rockabilly music scenes.

They're now based in Santa Ana and run like a well-oiled machine with about 80 per cent of the total manufacturing happening on-site.

Their headquarters also has a band rooms, so when artists decide to stop by, they have a place to chill.

Bobby Kloetzly spoke to Kelli Skye  Fadroski from The County Orange Register about the 20 years of Lucky 13.

He admitted that, while being in the business for 20 years is no small feat, there have been some rough patches along the way.

I definitely wasn't expecting to make it this far, he says. Not that we had any goal in mind in particular, but that we did make it through a couple of tough times with this company is pretty exciting. All of a sudden we realize Hey, it's our 20th year this year' and we needed to do something about it. So we've had a couple of events and we're making a couple of limited edition items and we're having a lot of fun with it. There are a lot of people that have been with us along this road and everyone is kind of shaking their heads at the same time going, Wow, where did the time go?' Twenty years, just like that.

As Kelli reports:

Lucky 13's style, for women, includes pin-up and 1920s-40s style dresses in various colors and patterns, pencil skirts, halter tops and button-up cardigans. For men, the fashion features a lot of collared work or bowling shirts in various colors and patterns that include embroidery. T-shirts and tanks include traditional style tattoo flash such as skulls, roses, crosses, vintage pin-up girls, anchors, cars, motorcycles, guitars and more. Lucky 13 even designs clothing for babies, tweens and toddlers.

A Celebration of Rust and Grease

The 11th Kustom Kills and Hot Rod Thrills show took place last weekend under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It's been reported in the New York Times as being the biggest and best of their annual shows, gathering "rat rodders" and other customizers, along with rockabilly bands to Union Street.

The usual mix of rusty and matte-black cars was supplemented with gleaming, freshly painted retromobiles and elegant hydraulically suspended models. At the show, rust is no longer a must.

Amid the burble of undermuffled engines and the bleating of horns from the highway ramp, a variety of vendors proffered more than just the usual T-shirts and hot dogs. Three dollars would get you an engine bolt — and a complimentary beer. Female rockabilly models signed autographs and posed for pictures. Men had their hair cut by a barber on the spot.

Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene

For those that love it, rockabilly isn't just a music genre, it's a way of life.  In Andrew Shaylor's latest book, Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene, the photographer has been granted exclusive access at events in the UK and US to  capture the raw energy and the commitment of the rockabilly community to authenticity. Featuring the history of the subculture by rockabilly legend Jerry Chatabox, the  book evokes the passion and intensity of a scene that is as exciting today as it was more than 50 years ago.

My Central Jersey says the book is the best and most comprehensive of its kind. 

It's a brilliant story in photographs of an historic period in rock 'n' roll that has been souped-up and repolished for a new counter-culture movement.

In the book’s foreward, UK Rockabilly Rave organizer Jerry Chatabox cites the wild stage show and brightly dyed hair of Sonny Burgess, the then-racy songs and dress of Charline Arthur and the hard drinking, hard partying lifestyle of the “world’s first real rock star,” Hank Williams, as just a few examples of how far back these tenets of punk rock really go.

$33.33 at Amazon

Viva Las Vegas 2012

It's the weekend that really rocks.  Tickets for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender are on sale already!

It runs from April 5 to April 8 2012 and you won't want to miss it.

It's all about getting on your best 50s garb - sorting out your hair, checking out the burlesque shows and bathing suit contests, pool parties, fashion shows, round the clock rock 'n' roll bands, add in plenty to drink and more than 700 rods and you have a weekend that rocks!

Here's just some of the highlights:

Car Show

The Viva Las Vegas Car Show is the best car show of its type anywhere. Cars are strictly pre-63 that have to be in a style from that era. Please check out the photos on the Car Show page. The VLV Weekender and VLV14 Car show attracted over 700 cars with about 20,000 attending to view the car show. If you wish to put your car in the car show, you can register it after you buy tickets for VLV.

Burlesque Competition

This has become one of the major events on the Burlesque calendar. Between October and December, hopeful contestants submit their photos and information onto the Viva Las Vegas website. Once all possible contestants have submitted, a panel of anonymous judges from the burlesque scene will choose four lucky contestants to compete at VLV then the judges will choose ten from the remaining contestants who will be featured on the website during the month of January and the public will decide on the next top four whom will join the “Judges Choices” live at the “Miss Viva Las Vegas” Burlesque Competition VLV finals. The eight competitors will then battle it out on Saturday evening to win the final VLV Burlesque Competition. Prizes include Cash, Gift Vouchers, Merchandise, Photoshoots, and publicity.

Tiki Pool Party

The Tiki Pool Party has become one of the major events at VLV, and will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is a great opportunity for girls (and guys!) to show off their vintage swimwear.

VLV Annual Swimsuit Contest

Attention all vintage fashion fanatics!!!! Shine up your vintage beach-side best and get ready for the mother of all swimsuit competitions. VSbM is sponsoring the VLV 14 pool party Vintage Swimsuit Competition, hosted by Vegas’ Pocket Pinup: Lisa Luxe. Guys and dolls alike are encouraged to enter: the only requirement is that your suit MUST BE VINTAGE, no modern/repro suits will be allowed in the competition. Contestants will be… judged on their suit alone, not by how well you can dance or how you answer silly pageant questions. . .

It’s all about the fashion!

Roots of Country - Rockabilly

Back in 1996 a six-hour six-part documentary taking a look at one of America's quintessential music genres - country - went to air.

"America's Music: the Roots of Country" delved headlong into what is a rich subject matter, telling its story through live footage and interviews with the stars themselves.

To a new generation of music fans, it offered an eye-opening introduction to some of the great figures from country's past, such as Jimmie Rodger, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Jones and so many more who paved the way for today's big stars.

Writer Robert K. Oerman told the Chicago Sun-Times that the the idea from the beginning was to take the viewer back and forth and in and out of history. He teamed up for this series with producer Tom Neff, a filmaker known for his documentaries of visual artists including Red Grooms and Beatrice Wood.

"One reason country lends itself to this kind of treatment is that, unlike other styles of music, all its historical elements are still living, breathing styles today," Oermann said.

"People still play bluegrass, people still sing folk songs, play rockabilly, Cajun, Western swing - these are not dead things."

Each of the six hours has a theme - including Rockabilly.

"The Roots of Country" was not only made with entertaining viewers in mind, but with the hope of sending a message about the importance of maintaining a living connection to country's past.

Rockabilly Hair

There a couple of basic hairstyles for Rockabilly men. One of the most iconic would have to have been the ducktail haircut. It’s a symbol of the 50s that has captured the imagination and endured so well. The ducktail required combing the hair back to the middle of the head, then with the end of the comb, make a centre part. This required a fair bit of grease – hence the term “greasers”. This style quickly identified a guy as a rebel, a non-conformist.

Rockabillies also wore their hair short on the sides, longer at the back and with enough length at the front to create the upswept “pompadour". Another popular cut was the flat top



Women’s styles follow two general looks. The first is the moderate-length, layered cut. This style is always curly or wavy and is a classic look from the 40s and 50s. The other look is the most common among the Rockabilly devotees - the one made popular by Bettie Page, the 1940s and 50s pin-up model. The look is longer, generally created with blunt cut fringe across the forehead. The hair is generally styled to have soft waves while the fringe is straight and smooth.


Here is a great step by step tutorial on how to achieve retro hair in under five minutes.


This is a really nice tutorial for a longer, softer vintage look

Rockabilly Makeup

Rockabilly is the best of the 1950s - the clothes, music and hair while ignoring the worst (McCarthyism, bigotry) to create a world that rocks.

A passion for the 1950s is one thing but rockabillies turn their passion into a lifestyle. It’s all in the detail – having the right dress, stockings, handbag shoes, hairdo and of course make up.

Retro Parasols

Retro Parasols

We love them because they:

• Cut down on sun exposure
• Help keep your tattoos vibrant and skin safe
• Make a colourful accessory for strutting your stuff
• Offer a great decorating element for the bedroom, studio, office, anywhere!

Hand Made Retro "Vintage Tan Tattoo" Parasol Shade Umbrella - $19.99



Hand Made Retro Chinese "Red Tattoo" Parasol Shade Umbrella $19.99




Hand Made Retro "Skulldini" Parasol Shade Umbrella $19.99




Hand Made Retro "Mans Ruin" Parasol Shade Umbrella $19.99

Retro Accessories

	Fender Custom Shop "Dia de los Muertos" Fedora Black Cotton Low Profile Trilby with Day of the Dead Skull $58
	Hey Viv ! 50's Vintage Style Apron with Free Retro Recipe Card $18.99
	Hey Viv! Vintage Accessories: Full Length Red Velvet Prom Gloves $14.99

Events (Adelaide)

ROOTS, RETRO & ROCKABILLY

Local musician Frank Lang has put together a mini festival for fans of retro and rockabilly to be held in Adelaide in October.

It will kick off on the afternoon of Sunday October 7 at the Governor Hindmarsh. The line up includes Hoy-Hoy! along with Lucky Seven, Glen Skuthorpe, Double Wammy, Blue Katz and the Satellites.

In deciding to put on the event Frank said he wanted to bring together several like-minded bands to play on the one bill.

Talking to Rip It Up, Frank explained that he loves doing gigs with other bands and thought he'd ring around to see if others were interested in being involved in a Roots, Retro & Rockabilly extravaganza.

“I was overwhelmed with the response and the enthusiasm,” Frank said.

“I was really pleased that all the bands wanted to do it with no real guarantee that it would work. That’s been great."

Frank says he’s sure the event will be a huge success as it boasts much of the cream of Adelaide’s seasoned roots musicians.

Guitarist Mauri Berg, formerly of Fraternity, The Others and Mickey Finn, is now a member of Hoy-Hoy!

Power soul combo Double Wammy recently reformed and have since been playing gigs at Semaphore Workers’ club and the Wheatsheaf.

Double Wammy and Glenn Skuthorpe will kick off the day by doing two alternating sets of about 30 minutes each set. Skuthorpe is a former Sydney-based indigenous singer-songwriter who has just released his third album, Nothing Like Rain.

Local rockabilly combo The Satellites and the Blue Katz will play before Lucky Seven brings the six-hour event to a close.

Frank says that if this festival is successful there will be another one, adding that he’s already thinking up some fresh ideas.

Roots, Retro & Rockabilly will take place at the Governor Hindmarsh on Sun Oct 7 from 3-9pm and will feature Glenn Skuthorpe, Double Wammy, Hoy-Hoy!, Blue Katz, The Satellites and Lucky Seven.

The Lion's Share

Lion's Share by Russ Lippitt

The Lion’s Share is a look at the punk rocker and “greaser" in the 21st century. It’s been described as an "enjoyable freaky ride" and a unique take on the underground culture, "a retro romp".

Author Russ Lippitt has crafted a provocative tale centred on the anarchical world of rebellious young “greaser” named Billy. The story is set in small-town USA and revolves around Billy and his gang, The Click. Billy’s saga takes the reader deep into the street rod underworld life – not the life of hot cars but of the psyche that grips the young anti-society ‘punks’ that rule this particular world. Lippitt paints a gritty, but hopeful tale of misguided youth.

In its review, Punk or Nothing, compare the novel to music, describing it as the equivalent of a punk album: fast paced and full of filthy anecdotes. They point out that Lippitt's style relies on the punk aesthetic of basic, strong, no bullshit structure - simple and straight to the point. Lippett, they say, is not afraid to maintain a deliberately basic world for his complex characters to interact in with underfed descriptions giving breathing space for the imagination.

The publishing company admits it's not your typical “coming of age” story but explains that for Gen-Xers, and anyone who remembers the ‘50s rebels it’s a compelling story of a raw and dangerous journey into the world of the ‘greaser’ and ‘punk’.

Lippitt describes his work as a true portrait and tribute to the Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Punk and Greaser scene.

It’s fast paced and entertaining and intelligent without being intellectual.

“An entertaining and a good read!” - Lola, Distorted Magazine
“An emotional story of a rebel teenager filled with friendship, treason, speed and rock ‘n’ roll, a definitely worth reading novel!” - Mircea. More Punk Then You Zine
“This is one of the best greaser/punk/outsiders book that you will read” - Josh, Bad Kat Magazine.
“This book absolutely floored me, a great read!” - Jenka, The Subculture Collective
“Lion share offers a unique take on the underground culture, a retro romp!” - Robert G. Rose, Aimtv Group
“Lion’s Share is a captivating story in which every rock ‘n’ roller can relate to!” - Laurent, Veglam webzine
“A tour-de-force of greaser mayhem!” - Voltcase alternative culture magazine
A damn fine read for anyone who has ever felt the need to rebel against everything or anything!” - I, Devolution Magazine
“What a treasure!” - Richard, Punk or Nothing Webzine
“I was engrossed in this book from start to finish” - Steve, Street Voice Newsletter