East Van Rockabilly “Lights Out”
The Lowriders Promo Shot 1983
Listen to the song here “Lights Out” live at the Commodore Ballroom in Dec. 1983 or by the player below:
In 1983 I answered an ad in a local Vancouver Rag. To my surprise a band actually looking for a full-time rockabilly guitar player. Rockabilly back then was still unknown to most people.
They were a singer – Howard Rix, bass player – Rick, and drummer -Brian “Hoss” Andrishak who had lost their guitar player. They were called The Lowriders.
The Lowriders with Howard Rix & Mark Twang
I got the gig and played with Howard Rix for many years following in a few rockabilly bands including The Bopsters with Ronnie Hayward and Britt Hagerty.
The drummer Hoss had setup a living/ practice space in what they called City Space which was an illegal warehouse in East Vancouver’s Chinatown area where we practiced and also gigged.
The band only had learned about 6 songs so we had fun bringing our rockabilly records and listening and picking songs for the new lineup. We added another 30 songs over the next few months as well got some promo pics and a bio and hit some booking agencies in Vancouver.
Howard Rix was born with a natural singing voice and one of the best rockabilly singers out there – still going strong in East Van.
UPDATE R.I.P. 2015
Howard Rix passed away at 7:09 pm on Sept. 17,2015 at VGH. He suffered a severe asthma attack followed by two heart attacks which lead to devastating brain injury. He passed peacefully with loved-ones at his side.
pic above: Howard Rix- vocals, Brian “Hoss” Andrishak – Drums, Mark Twang – Guitar, Playing with Ronnie Hayward – Stand Up Bass, at his first home coming gig in Calsagar B.C. Canada … in1985 under The Bopster’s name.
The Lowriders with Howard Rix & Mark Twang
Here is a cover of “Lights Out” live at the Commodore Ballroom in Dec. 1983.
