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As Diabatz

Dypsomaniaxe

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Dypsomaniaxe – One Too Many

Tombstone Records – TOMB DISCc 697 / TOMB-CD 2011
Bad Habit – Vicious Delicious – Gamblin’Debts – Spirit In You* – Mask – Dangerous Liaisons – Secret – Dirty Washing – Countess Lizzie – Demon Quiff* – Seven Deadly Sinz – Siren – Dypsomaniaxe – Doctor McBain
*CD only

Dypsomaniaxe

Dypsomaniaxe was formed by four colorful girls (Stella on double bass, Ben on lead vocals, Sam on drums, and Angie on guitar) with impressive quiffs that would make the Klingonz green with envy (their first double bass player was their manager). They played fast, crazy, outrageous, exuberant, and fun Psychobilly—everything to seduce!
The main thing people remember about Dypsomaniaxe is that they were the first all-female Psychobilly band (and when you think about it, there weren’t many after them). That’s a fact. But this misses the main point, namely that Dypsomaniaxe was, above all, an excellent band, and it doesn’t matter whether they were men, women, or came from Mars.
Sadly, they only released one but almost perfect album during their existence.
The songs on One Too Many are often tuneful, with catchy melodies. The whole thing sometimes reminds us of a female counterpart of the Krewmen or sometimes sounds a bit like the Scum Rats (Demon Quiff). But reducing them to that would take away their personality, and that’s an understatement to say they have a strong personality. The singer plays her role perfectly, alternating between a captivating (Siren) or surly (Dangerous Liaison) voice, supported by perfectly in-place backing vocals.
The group is quite as good. Angie varies the sounds and textures, ranging from Mask’s almost acoustic Hispanic intro to the distorted sound of Dirty Washing and Spirit On You. The same goes for the rhythm section, which propels everything efficiently.
One may, and still, regret a production that is a little meager at places, but let’s not shy away from our pleasure, ‘One Too Many’ is an excellent album from start to finish, and an original one at that.
Once again, it’s too bad they have split before recording a second opus or even a live album. Their version of Bad Habit on the Live At the Big Rumble compilation eclipses many other bands on this record.
Unfortunately, Dypsomaniaxe did not arouse vocations, and it wasn’t until bands like As Diabatz arrived that we found the same explosive mixture.

The Radioactive Kid

dypsomaniaxe

As Diabatz

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As Diabatz - Ridin' Through the Devil's Hill
As Diabatz – Ridin’ Through the Devil’s Hill

As Diabatz – Ridin’ Through the Devil’s Hill

Woman in white – Necrolove – Psychomad Mary – Wide awake – Under my own spell – Riding trough Devil’s hill – Witches stomp – We ain’t no Psychobitches – Summertime Booze – I don’t worry about it

This young trio of Brazilian girls with their old school psychobilly made me feel 16 again. All the elements are here: light guitar, rockabilly snare and a solid beat provided by the double bass. They sound like the little sisters (even daughter) of Dypsomaniaxe but with a darkish side. You can also hear the influence of the Krewmen and there’s a definitive Meteors touch (Wreckin’ Crew era) most notably on the instrumental “Ridin’ Through The Devil’s Hill” and of course their cover of “I don’t Worry About It”. But they never sound like a re-creation, always keeping a fresh approach. Their songs are very well written and never too fast and most of all, they keep the “billy” in psychobilly. Excellent production work too!

The Radioactive Kid