Rockabeau Now

Here we are.

Since my first post in February, I was excited to discover the deeper culture and effect of Greaser subculture. I was attracted to this way of life through the elements of aesthetic and style. I was fairly impressed to see how other cultures interpreted our style such as the Yanki, Rockers, and Raggare subcultures. 

Through exploration of different elements such as icons, style equivalents, and history of the culture, I became more in tune with what I wanted in myself. Yes, it’s fun to dress the part, but the last thing I want to be is a poser. This subculture has a surprising foundation of solidarity for those who felt like an outsider (The Greaser Act). 

This time around I’ve found other interests in pursing personal growth than just assigning myself to a group that attributed to feeling lost. Greaser subculture became a safety net to attribute myself. I’m not saying I don’t have the capacity to belong, but out of respect, I’m more of an ally.  Rocakbeau is still your friendly neighborhood source for anything Greaser. I want to thank all my viewers for your attention. For now I’ll give off the grid to focus on finishing up my semester, but I’m certain to return soon.

To those of you who are interested in an identity story attributed to our sister culture, Rockabilly, the 

YouTube channel NOWNESS just covered Rockabilly in Tokyo. Go meet Johnny Jeana!

And here we are, Rockabeau ;)

International Greaser Equivalents: Raggare

Since greaser subculture has had a notable impact on American culture, to the point that it is still referenced in media today, it made me think of the question; “Has greaser impact had an impact upon global trends”? I was thoroughly surprised to see that there are several international variations and interpretations of greaser subculture. In this new section of Rockabeau, we are exploring international equivalents to the American greaser subculture. Today we are peeking into the Swedish version, Raggare.

The creation of raggare culture formed during World War II. Sweden stayed neutral and received aid form the Marshall Plan. Their export economy boomed, allowing the country to buy cars. While the culture emerged in the 1950’s it caused moral panic over elements such as speeding, and back seat intercourse. The subculture was able to reach parts of “Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Russia” (Wikipeida). The subculture also found influence form American films such as Rebel Without a Cause, and American Graffiti.

Raggare were noted for their love of American cars, such as hot rods. Cars brands include Pontiacs and Cadillacs. Raggare fashion was more influenced by rockabilly style. Blue jeans, white t-shirts and leathers, but with cowboy boots instead of motorcycle boots. Raggare also used the confederate flag in their subculture. While albeit a controversial gesture, they used the flag because of its symbolism of rebellion.

Raggare also tended to instigate fights with punks and hippies. Raggare notably caused fights during concerts of artists such as the Sex Pistols, Rude Kids, Reklamation and the Stranglers. Rude Kids referenced Raggare negatively in their song, “Raggare Is a Bunch of Motherfuckers”. Raggare became so notable in Sweden that the national post office issued a stamp featuring the culture.

All of that is left of Raggare culture consists of “middle aged men who enjoy meeting and showing off their retro American cars”. (Wikipedia) The subculture is mostly survived by the Power Big Meet, which is the world’s largest classic car show for American cars. The festival began in 1978 and is still around today.

There are the similarities to greasers and raggares, and that is their affinity for hot rods. In Sweden, there is a low regard for people associated with the subculture. Just like back in 1950’s American when greasers where referred to as hoodlums. Their characteristics include having little to no education or wealth. This aspect is also quite like greaser subculture.

It seems bizarre to me that I could reach international readers, but just in case I have there is a question for you. Have you ever noticed a culture or subculture that emulates certain aspects of greasers?

And away we go, Rockabeau ;)

Sources

“Raggare”. Wikipedia. 16 December 2016, Accessed 28 March 2017,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raggare

“Power Big Meet”. Wikipedia. 9 December 2016, Accessed 28 March 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Big_Meet

Short History of Rockabilly

Greasers are both known and portrayed in media for their love of rockabilly. Although, not ALL greasers are rockabilly fans, which is perfectly acceptable. Greaser icon Fonzie would hit the jukebox with his famous “touch” and ladies would flock to him as they danced to the genre. If you are an inspiring greaser, and have a good affection, or need a lesson on the music genre, here is some info on where Rockabilly came from.

Rockabilly is a subgenre of rock and roll music, founded in the mid-1950s. The sub-genre is a mix of rock music with blends of country music. A few people to have popularized this genre were Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. Notable sounds of rockabilly music include fast past rhythms, and vocal twangs. Rockabilly success died out in the 1980’s, after short revival that occurred in the late 1970’s. But, Rockabilly still keeps itself alive in its own subculture, based off the music genre.

Now it’s one thing to read up on music, but most importantly, you must listen to truly understand. So, below is a complied list of songs to appetize your Rockabilly palate.

1.      Elvis Presley – Good Rocking Tonight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FeWJHUB8aU)

2.      Johnny Cash – Rockabilly Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Vk9gVxjWo)

3.      BuddyHolly – Midnight Shift (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHTWMPlobE8)

4.      Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6D_BAuYCI)

5.      Gene Vincent – Race with the Devil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3gxQ1tetAQ&list=PL837D9AB011713CF9)

6.       Stray Cats – Gene and Eddie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5E_RY5g0ws)

7.      JohnnyBurnette – The Train Kept A-rollin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtcVvWRvrIU&index=4&list=PL837D9AB011713CF9)

8.      RoyOrbison - Ooby Dooby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ijEWj2xmg&index=9&list=PL837D9AB011713CF9)

9.      Eddie Cochran – Twenty Flight Rock (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpxJC4AAJ0&index=24&list=PL837D9AB011713CF9)

10.  Lorrie Collins – Mercy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXmyAxHwdPI&index=63&list=PL837D9AB011713CF9)

Greaser Style: Now

So, how can we evolve the limited selection that is Greaser fashion?

Now in modern day, the lines of fashion are more blurred and expansive for any style. We can have blends of greaser and rockabilly. We can put a little dash of punk or grunge into Greaser fashion. Modern day fashion takes inspiration from past trends, and popular figures. Nostalgia has become a common troupe in pop culture, hence this blog. For instance, Elvis and Jimmy Dean has been an inspiration for my style of dress. 

I would like to show you my take on greaser fashion is updated with more current trends. Instead of a black leather jacket, I have a brownish, dark chocolate colored jacket. I would pair it with slim fit bright jeans with some unique design elements, a plain white t-shirt, and black leather sneaker/boot hybrid.

Jacket: Express

Boots: Call it Spring

Jeans: H&M

Shirt: Fruit of the Loom

Since Elvis Presley was a huge inspiration for greasers, you can try and emulate his jailhouse rock look, like I did. I paired a jean jacket, with normal jeans and a black and white bar t-shirt. The ensemble is topped off with black leather derby shoes.

Jacket: unknown

Jeans: Levi’s

Shirt: H&M

Shoes: H&M

I personally like to incorporate a little Rockabilly into my style of dress. I did so with a red, white, and blue flannel, a simple, white t-shirt, cuffed blue jeans and purple converse. I added grey socks and a red bandana to both fit the style and give it more edge.

Shirt: Volcom

Jeans: Levi’s

Shoes: Converse

Since, I’m not afraid to pair denim on denim, I bought a denim button down, which I tucked into my jeans. You can cut the fabric channel with a black belt. I added a gold and navy bandana tied to my wrist. I added black leather Chelsea style boots to give it a slickness to it.

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Levi’s

Boots: H&M

Lastly, I noticed a stellar denim and leather hybrid jacket on Amazon. I figure it would go great with a blue and white strip shirt, black spandex/cotton blend pants and white vans.

Jacket: Zicac

Shirt: On the Byas

Pants: On the Byas

Shoes: Vans

Send in your ideas and combinations about what you would put into the mix of greaser fashion!
Away we go, Rockabeau ;)

Rockabeau? Who is Rockabeau?

Hello, I, am Rockabeau

Before I detail the tantalizing future of my blog, I want to give you a bit of insight as to who I am.

I was born on a farm, smack dab in the middle of two towns, each two miles outside of my home. On the lot where old cars I would play in and climb on. In one of the barns was a tractor shed; there was an old motorbike that I would sit and daydream of riding on the highway with my hair tasseled to the wind. I would always slick my hair up and play with toy cars. But one day I found a VHS copy of Grease. My mom told me it was a musical, so I suddenly lost interest. But I couldn’t stop staring at Jon Travolta on the cover. Through copious amounts of hair gel, I would try to emulate his hair cut. His pout wasn’t bad either, if you know what I mean.

As I got older I left my toys for my idols. My 8^th grade teacher assigned the class to read the novel that changed my life, The Outsiders. There was finally a book that could keep my attention. The film left quite the impression on myself, as well. After waking myself from day dreams of Matt Dillon, I started to craft my own personal style. I looked up music to correspond with newfound strut, snatched hair gel from my sister’s vacation tote bag and nicked one of my mom’s combs. I owned the streets every time I would walk down the block.

Back in the day *laughs* which were 6 years ago, I didn’t understand why I became so attracted to this lifestyle, but reflecting upon it now, it makes more sense to me. I was coming to terms with my eccentric family and my sexuality. I was born in a conservative town and I had to keep my exuberant personality stifled. Observing documentaries, videos, and media about greaser subculture was so pleasing to me. Identified with the outcast, a stylish one at least, brought me a sense of serenity and acceptance. The overall aesthetic of a classic greaser was both cool, but tough looking, two qualities I wanted to be respected for. Bullying had ravaged me in my youth, and I wanted to bite back so desperately, so I wanted to emulate a group of people that would fight tooth and nail for their own.

Now in my college years, my aesthetic is down to a science and friends in abundance. But I want to bring a legitimacy to my part in the greaser subculture. There is more than the glamour of black leather jacket. I want to learn the more in-depth details of this subculture. I want to learn with you and modernize greaser subculture. I want to revolutionize what we listen to, what we wear, what we drive and who we are about, while taking notes from the past.

Please join me on my journey, or should I say, our journey, as I try to modernize greaser subculture through fashion, music, and cars. I want to expand upon a community of outcasts and discover how we can fit the mold of the current day and age. But then again, are we still outcasts? Denim certainly isn’t out of style and to be an outcast is more so popular than ever now. 

follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/rockabeau

And a way we go, Rockabeau ;)