Under The Spell Of JD McPherson
An interview with Doug Corcoran (Pt. 2)
Words: Vincent Abbate / Photos: Amanda Devitt
Having traveled in blues circles for over 20 years now, I’ve seen the different ways musicians react to the purist attitude held by many long-time blues enthusiasts: They either conform, stick to their creative guns, move on to another genre or pack it in completely. While conversing with multi-instrumentalist Doug Corcoran for the better part of an hour, I learned something. Rockabilly fans can be every bit as conservative.
There’s a difference, though: On the style-conscious rockabilly scene, purism has as much to do with having the right image as with the music itself.
“The really hardcore rockabillies don’t care how good the music is. It’s more about if the band wears the right things. Are they playing vintage instruments? Do they have an upright bass? It’s more about what it looks like, does it fit their lifestyle.”