Willard's Wormholes

Savage Night (1999)
Tarantino’s Could-Be House Band

They’re an L.A. hipster house band from the mid 90s, oozing the essence of 50s glam, authentic Elvis swagger, retro-exotica surf and b&w noir… in an “endless pursuit of cool.” Describing them is one thing, but hearing their effective cinematic precision is something else. Some listeners may equate the vibe with Chris Isaak, but the Hawaiians go a lot deeper with a lot more detail, and it’s no wonder they’ve attracted the attention of scenesters like Quentin Tarantino. Alongside their originals they can effortlessly transform covers into kitsch; Henry Mancini’s “Experiment in Terror,” Tom Waits’ “Jockey Full of Bourbon” and (a hipster smooth) “Shakin’ All Over.” Nary a hair out of place. Savage Night is The Hawaiians’ 2nd studio album and they also have a couple of live discs. Includes two untitled bonus tracks. Amazon.

A Cheat (5:00)
Savage Night (4:06)
Flesh & Soul (4:38)
Shakin’ All Over (5:55)
Experiment In Terror (5:27)
Highlife (6:19)
Sway (3:02)
Lonely Star (4:34)
Jockey Full Of Bourbon (4:41)
Trouble Bay (7:12)
? (1:24)
? (2:44)