The Chop Tops

The Chop Tops
Origin	Santa Cruz, California, United States
Genres	Rockabilly, psychobilly, punk, surf, Teddy Boy, rock and roll
Years active	1995–present
Members	Sinner Shelby Brett Black
Past members	Flyin' Brian (guitar) Rockin' Drew (drums) Ray "Gun" (bass) Dylan "The Man" Cavaliere (bass) T.K. (bass) Hotrod (bass) Josh (bass) K.C. (bass)
Website	www.thechoptops.com

The Chop Tops are a rockabilly trio from Santa Cruz, California consisting of Sinner (vocals/standing drums), Shelby (guitar), and Brett Black (upright bass). The band was formed by Sinner in 1995, Shelby joined in 1999, and Brett came aboard in 2008. The band coined the phrase "Revved-Up Rockabilly" to describe their wild, upbeat blend of rockabilly, psychobilly, old punk, teddy boy, and surf music genres. The Chop Tops headlined their own national tours, ^[1] toured with bands like Mad Sin and the Nekromantix, and opened for many bands, including the Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, Dick Dale, John Lee Hooker, and Chuck Berry. ^[2]

Other accomplishments included having three of their songs featured in the video game WET, ^[3] performing at several Warped Tours, and many years of playing the annual rockabilly festival Viva Las Vegas. In April 2012, the band made their first international tour appearing at dates across Australia (they were asked back and returned for another Australian tour in June 2013). ^[4] The Chop Tops were sponsored by Murray's Pomade. ^[5] Murray's has sponsored only two bands in its 90-year history, the Stray Cats and the Chop Tops. The group was also sponsored and endorsed by Gretsch guitars, Jim Dunlop, and T.U.K. shoes.

The Chop Tops made their final appearance on April 3, 2015, at the 18th annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. The band was joined by guest performers Chantilly Lace Vincent (granddaughter of Gene Vincent) and Mario Valens (Ritchie Valens' younger brother).

Discography

• Revved-Up Rockabilly (1997) Swillbilly Music
• Tales of Hot Rods, Hot Broads & Lucky Odds! (1999) Swillbilly Music, Producer: Deke Dickerson
• Always Wild (2000) Rollin' Rock Records ^[6]
• Evil Six (2001) Swillbilly Music
• Triple Deuces ^[7] (2006) Split 7 Records
• Deadly Love ^[8] (2010) Swillbilly Music, Producer & Assistant Engineer: Kim Nekroman, Mastered by Maor Appelbaum
• Evil Six: Revisited ^[9] (2012) Swillbilly Music
• Fabrikate - Released Jan 2025 - Swillbilly Music

Compilation albums

• Good Rockin’ Tonight! Volumes I & II (2000) Purist Records
• Someday Coming Down: A Deviant Twang Sampler (2004) Warning Sign Records
• Hicks with Sticks – A Town North Of Bakersfield (2005) Cracked Piston Recordings
• Return Of The Hot Rod Zombies (2005) Split 7 Records
• Clash of The Billys Rumble #1 (2007) Terror .45 Records
• Revenge Of The Hot Rod Zombies (2008) Boss Beat
• Rebels of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 1 (2008) Straight Razor Records
• Rebels of Rock N Roll No. 2 (2009) Straight Razor Records

Film appearance

• Flying Saucer Rock 'N' Roll (2006) ^[10]

References

1. "Tour Dates". thechoptops.com. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
2. "Performers They've Played With". thechoptops.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
3. "Wet - Music". Giant Bomb - CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
4. Pierce, Jacob (June 19, 2012). "Chop Tops Blast Billy Audiences Away". santacruz.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
5. DuShane, Tony (February 15, 2007). "The Chop Tops". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
6. "Rollin' Rock Records". MusicBrainz. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
7. "Triple Deuces on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
8. "Deadly Love on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
9. "Evil Six: Revisited on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
10. "Flying Saucer Rock 'N' Roll on the Internet Movie Database". IMDb. Retrieved November 9, 2009.

External links

• Official website