THE TOMBSTONES A BRIEF HISTORY and timeline........ Founded in 1985 by
frontman and guitarist Stevie Tombstone, the band performed its unique
brand of swampabilly rock. While cutting their teeth in the punk rock
scene, the TOMBSTONES played with the likes of CIRCLE JERKS, STRAY
CATS, DIVINE HORSEMEN, D.R.I , LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH, BAD BRAINS and
many more. The original lineup {PAT PARKER, CURT ROULETTE& JACK
ROSS} first appeared on their self released cassette "Grave Matter" and
then on the comp "Make the City Grovel in its Dust " with the song
"Nobody" a mournful tune reminiscent of early GUN CLUB. This tune was
later covered by STIV BATORS of DEAD BOYS fame on his last release in
France in 1996. Johnny Thunders and Dee Dee Ramone also performed on
this track. In 1988 the TOMBSTONES released "Preachin, Prayin, Guitar
Playin"with the departure of Ross & Roullette .With the addition of
WILL PLATT on bass, the Twilight Records release fared well in the U.S.
and Europe. Over the years the line up changed from time to time as the
TOMBSTONES struggled with the usual trials of self abuse and shifting
labels and management. Two more albums would be recorded in the
following years. Some of Stevie's bandmates include JASON & The
SCORCHERS bassist Jeff Johnson and Mark Michaels of FASTER PUSSYCAT.
Shortly after being signed to Relativity Records, Stevie buys a
tombstone for father of the blues, ROBERT JOHNSON, and delivers it
himself{along with Johnny Shines and Rick Richards} to Greenwood,
Mississippi and is slammed in the press for "disrespectful behavior".
Faced with the onset of grunge rock ,rap and the passing of Will Platt,
the TOMBSTONES disbanded as Stevie pursued his solo career, releasing 3
solo albums. His latest "7:30 A.M." reached number one on the XM
Satellite Radio"CROSS-COUNTRY" channel . In 2004 Stevie appeared on the
Cash Tribute "Dear Johhny" and is exposed to the resurgent psychobilly
and punk audience. Soon thereafter the Pennsylvania band the LONESOME
KINGS cover the Tombstone's psychobilly number "Jailhouse Tattoo."
After many requests Stevie decides to release many unheard TOMBSTONES
tracks as well as material from the Twilight EP, this collection is
"TWANG FROM THE GRAVE' . After the release of 'TWANG"the band began
touring with bassist Bobby Daniel and Concombre Zombie drummer Destin
Pledger. After both went back to work with their mainstay acts, the
TOMBSTONES resumed touring with new recruits KILLENE {ex Sinpusher} on
bass guitar and KENNY WAGNER on drums{ex Honky, Halfway to Gone}.The
trio completed three west coast tours,two southeast tours and one east
coast.Several new studio tracks have been recorded and are scheduled
for release on upcoming compilations.
Stevie and Killene are currently working on a new outlaw/alt country
record and touring around the Texas area until the next Tombstones
release.
for more info on Stevie Tombstone check out
www.stevietombstone.com
