AGENDA . Agenda Picks

Accidental Tourist

The Reverend Horton Heat


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Published: Nov 15, 2006

Fri., Nov. 17, 9 p.m., $20, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011

The Reverend Horton Heat has been spreading its brand of manic Texan punka-psycho-rockabilly across the nation for almost two decades. Headed up by lead singer and guitarist Jim "Reverend" Heath, the three-piece averages around 200 tour dates a year, has played with Johnny Cash and recently notched a rare distinction shared by the likes of Public Enemy, Roger Williams and Neil Diamond: an album in the 20th Century Masters: Millennium Edition series. Heath qualifies as one of the few out-of-towners who probably doesn't need your directions.

On the state of rockabilly:

"The spirit is alive in Philly. You see it in the crowds every time we come here. Although it's like that everywhere we go—just loud and enthusiastic."

On keeping the sightseeing simple:

"We've been here tons and tons of times. When we get into Philly, we just head to Geno's or Jim's for a cheesesteak. The next day, your jacket and clothes smell like steak. It's good, though. And they were really nice at Sailor Jerry's too."

On the uncouth yokels:

"This one time, we were playing at the Khyber, and my wife was with us. After the show, there was a girl just screaming, 'Rev, come out, come drink with us, come party.' And I said, 'No, thanks.' And she sees my wife standing there, and just goes, 'Oh, I see how it is, you're going to get some pussy tonight.' We had to hold [my wife] back. She was going to go ballistic! But yeah, Philly's really a lot of fun."