Eightball Boppers

4+ (group) performers

Indoor and outdoor

Band

2,5 hours

3x5 m pdium please, but can also be acou

DE, FR, NL, EN

Authentieke rockabilly rock-'n-roll door 4 ervaren, maar immer plezier hebbende rockers, met een zeer gevarieerd aanbod: swingend dansbaar, stevig rockend, bruilofts/kermisrepertoire of akoestisch, het kan allemaal met originele fifties songs, zelfgeschreven nummers en moderne verrockenrollde liedjes.

The rockabilly band Eightball Boppers has been in operation since January 1, 2004. In the line-up with bass , drums and two guitars they play the mix of rock-'n-roll and hillbilly in their own unique way. Besides the more than 100 covers on the repertoire, the Eightball Boppers play a large number of their own songs , of course entirely in fifties style.
During live performances, 8BB plays the songs straight through, but if the atmosphere is right, there is also time for idle chatter, until someone in the audience shouts "SPEULE!!!". That's the signal to get back into the swing of things. The atmosphere with the band is usually casual, so the audience does not feel encumbered to roar or dance along on stage.
The Eightball Boppers not only play electrically amplified, but are also excellent during acoustic sets, i.e. completely unplugged. Then the pure rock 'n' roll spirit complete with harmonious vocals comes out.
The Eightball Boppers are not out to do everything 100% vintage. For example, their equipment is simply contemporary, although there are some retro elements to it, such as the Shure microphones, the hollow-body guitars and the home-made cocktail drum kit. Don't expect any tricks with the double bass from the Eightball Boppers: Henk plays on an original full-size "bull-fiddle," which is far too heavy to hump around with and far too nicely airbrushed to damage.
A strong point of the Eightball Boppers is that they adapt to the situation anywhere. Are they playing on the street in a mall? Then the audience gets to shout songs. Even with the craziest requests, the Boppers manage to make something out of it. Until the moment someone asks for Anita Meijer (this really happened!); then they lose their tempers and play a wild, clumsy song out of wantonness.
The repertoire is so extensive that 8BB can adjust the set list for each performance and make it a unique event each time. Is the band playing at a festival for typical rockabilly audiences? Then the most obscure songs from the 1950s are brought to life, often performed in polyphony. Is there a car or motorcycle show? Then the firmer tracks are on the program, with the subjects being petrol heads, roaring big blocks, failing brakes or dangerous routes. Is the occasion a wedding or a staff party? Then the so-called "carnival repertoire" emerges, including all the familiar golden oldies from Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Haley. In addition, the Boppers have taken a number of rockabilly classics, such as Smoke on the Water, Whole Lotta Rosie, Autobahn, Rehab, Fever, Ace of Spades and more. Whatever the case may be; at every performance, the Eightball Boppers know how to get the crowd moving.

Discography
- Bop till you drop (CD and DVD, 2005 )
- Old Dogs Don't (CD, 2009)
- Let the Engines Roll! (CD, 2013)
- Engsele gèn English (mini-CD, 2015)
- Hugging the Curves (CD, 2019
- Selfie Rock (CD, 2025)

Occupation
Bert Damink lead guitar
Henk Honing double bass, vocals
Willy Cornelissen rhythm guitar, vocals
Martijn Willems drums, vocals

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