Bigg Dubb and the Rawkman run it back with new Ep on Black Market Records
Plus, Alien Fashion Show's debut album turns 25.
For fans of West Coast hip hop, there’s this: “Runn it Back,” the new Ep from Bigg Dubb and the Rawkman.
The Rawkman is the alter ego of Daniel Dominguez, a guy know for fronting the chaotic hardcore groove band Farooq. In recent years, he’s moved into producing and also released an album with his solo rap project vxDEDxv.
Here, he teams up with his cousin Bigg Dubb (aka Fresno rapper JDubb) and longtime collaborator Javi Garcia (credited as My Foo Javi, The Creator) for a trio of old-school West Coast bangers.
“Keep it West like it’s supposed to be.
So when I hit the stage it’s all eyes on me.”
The group announced last week it had been picked up by Black Market Records Affiliated Artists out of Las Vegas, putting them in the company of Berner.
The Ep is out now across digital platforms.
Rediscover: Alien Fashion Show’s self titled debut
It was 25 years ago that Alien Fashion Show released its self-titled debut album on Surfdog/Hollywood Records.
This was on the tail end of the swing revival that had made household(ish) names out of bands like Squirrel Nut Zippers, Royal Crown Revue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (and also the Cherry Poppin' Daddies).
Alien Fashion Show, fit that mold. The Los Angles band (formed by brothers and Visalia natives Jeff and Eldon Daetweiler) were a finger-snapping, Martini-drinking big-band in the vein of Brian Setzer Orchestra.
The album was released July 28, 1998.
Five days later the band embarked on a tour opening for the aforementioned Brian Setzer Orchestra.
The album runs 15 songs of mostly originals along with the band’s take on Kiss’ “Detroit Swing City” (credited as “Detroit Swing City”) and the Police’ hit “Roxanne.”
After a decade’s hiatus, band began recording and releasing new material again and released “Hellsville” in 2019.
Of note: “Detroit Swing City” was the first song to be made available on MP3 format by a major record label.
Extra context: Eldon Daetweiler spend some time selling real estate in Fresno. He specialized in Mid-Century modern.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM and follow my other writing at The Fresno Bee. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com