The SideWynders battled their way through some of the finest stand-up bass, washboard, and pompadors that Southern California has to offer, and came out victorious on Saturday. The LA-based five piece were finalists in the second annual West Coast Rockabilly Showdown at the Orange County Market Place. There, 12 rockabilly bands battled for a slot on the 2011 Hootenanny rockabilly festival lineup a slice of the $2500 pie offered in prize money.
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The SideWynders earned the 1 p.m. slot on the second stage at the Hootenanny at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine on June 2. They also scored $1000. Ry Bradley from Encino won second place and $750. Third place went to OC's The Jackpot Club, who took home $500. Karling Abbeygate and the Kats out of LA won fourth place with $250.
In its second year, the West Coast Rockabilly Showdown widdled down
their online band applicants to twelve local contestants. The four finalists
played their way through four rounds of semi-finals in front of Orange
County Marketplace attendees. The finals were held Saturday
The SideWynders share this year's Hootenanny bill with the likes of the Dropkick Murphys, the Reverend Horton Heat, and Murder City Devils.
Keep your eyes out for the winner of a similar Hootenanny contest held by the Continental Room in Fullerton. They have a Miss Hootenanny contest and a battle of the bands in which the winner will play the 7 p.m. slot on the second stage. The winners for both contests will be determined at the finals on June 27.
When not running the OCWeekly.com and OC Weekly’s social media sites, Taylor “Hellcat” Hamby can be found partying like it’s 1899.