This is High-Octane Rockabilly as true to the genre as you can possibly get and with original songs. The Headers are a three-piece band hailing from Buffalo, New Yrok. The band is fronted by guitarist/singer, Bobby Lebel, who is a perfectionist of that style.

The opening track, "Pretty Good Shape," tells you immediately what you are going to get. Great guitar sound and licks, tight rhythm section and Bobby's voice sounding reminiscent of early Presley. Track 2, "Lovin' Stuff," ups the anti a bit with a rock/surf presentation with good harmonies. "Eloise" really moves up a gear with strong guitar intro, again, in the early Presley mode. Next up is "Riptide" ouch! different this one, very Spanish intro into a Ghost Riders in the sky style riff with similar echo on Bobby's guitar. His Gretsch (of which he is an endorsee) is absolutely perfect for this style of music. Another guitar added to his solo ability would clutter the backing.

"How High The Sky"changes the mood to a kind of jazzy feel followed by "Hard Man To Love" – ain't we all! This is in the Ricky Nelson "My Babe" vein but faster. In "Cajun Sugar" the band moves yet again into a new mode, whilst retaining their distinctive style. "Hey Ruby" and "Blue Highway" leads into the penultimate track which in true Rockabilly style does "Turn It Up." The final track is "Bodhisattva" is the longest cut on the CD and features a long instrumental intro and has a jazz/rock feel. Again great guitar work from Bobby.

This is a must-have CD for all Elvis Presley / Jerry Reed / Carl Perkins fans of which there are many world wide. There's a strong hint in part of legendary UK band Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, where one of our best Rock guitarist, Mick Green, plied his trade. Unfortunately, Johnny was killed in a car crash before he had a chance to establish a solid place in the annals of Rock-n-Roll history.

I would give The Headers "Turn It Up" CD 10 out of ten as it is true rockabilly, sung and played as it should be. I would also imagine that the band are a great live act to experience, too.

The Headers have a new CD out called "Don't Be Talkin' Smack," and it contains 12 songs smack full of fun and energy. The music on this CD is original rockabilly and all I can say is if you like The Stray Cats and Elvis, you'll love this album. There are 12 cuts full of Memphis style vocals and smoky bar-b-que chords that make you want to put on your dancin' shoes and hit the closest dance floor. There are a few ballads in between the catchy songs like "She's Through With You" and the cover classic "Sandman" but the majority of "Don't Be Talkin' Smack" will hit you in the face like a Lake Erie snow storm.

There's more twang in this CD than straight ahead rock, so I think country music enthusiasts might dig it more than the 97 rock crowd, but hey, how many times do you want to hear The Beatles and Led Zeppelin? I myself am a rocker, but variety is the spice of life. Give The Headers a listen. These guys are pros at what they do. "Don't Be Talkin' Smack" is available at TheHeaders.com, CD Baby, Borders & Amazon.com or always available at The Headers live gigs. For more info on the CD call 510-4211. Rating-3 and a half out of five.

One of the area's premier bands, The Headers, has released a new CD Don't Be Talkin' Smack a twelve song collection of vintage rockabilly style music with a modern update. An amalgam of rock, blues and jazz the band redefines the style of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and others from the early days of rock and roll. All band members are consummate musicians, Bobby Lebel is a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and was recently honored as the top notch guitarist he is when Gretsch Guitars named him one of their endorsed guitarists a prestigious and deserving honor for him. That endorsement obviously inspired him to write the leadoff track from the disc "Brand New Gretsch Guitar" where he shows off those guitar chops. "Ragtop Daddy", the title cut "Don't Be Talkin' Smack", the Elvis inspired "Crazy, Crazy, Crazy", a choice cover of the classic "Sandman" and the jaunty ode to love "You Lift Me Up" are all outstanding tracks. Special guest Ray Hangen adds drums to "Bun in the Oven" and "Offa My Mind". Check out http://www.theheaders.com for more information about the band and their new release Don't Be Talkin' Smack.

The Headers Rock Lockport
By: Joe Piracci - Metro WNY

Allow me, if I may, to take you back to a different time, a simpler time, one of innocence and unbridled enthusiasm about America’s future. It’s the late 50’s and Elvis Presley is on his way to becoming the “King of Rock n’ Roll,” Eddie Cochran is rocking America with his biggest hit “Summertime Blues” and Buddy Holly is making the girls crazy with his hit “Oh Boy!.” It is this era, the infancy of rock n’ roll, that The Headers would have been stars.

The Headers are a three piece rockabilly group hailing from Buffalo, NY. They are led by singer/songwriter Bobby Lebel on guitar and lead vocals.

If you are wondering exactly what Rockabilly is you are not alone. I had heard of rockabilly but until I talked to and saw The Headers play I wasn’t really sure what it was all about.

Rockabilly in its purest form was the beginning of rock n roll. It mixed together the best elements of hillbilly, gospel and blues music. Today’s rockabilly still embraces that original 50’s sound but has evolved to include elements of jazz, country, swing and even surf music. The Headers manage to blend all those different styles together masterfully and flawlessly. Lebel, who is a Gretsch Guitar endorsee, rocks the guitar a little harder than his 50’s counter parts did adding another modern twist to the genre.

There is no particular theme to their music, political or otherwise. It is just down home, feel good music.

“No politics. I’m not that bright” cracked Lebel. “The world is so serious and we can all benefit from being a little less serious once in a while and rockabilly is so much of a feel good genre, it’s feel good music.”

The amazing thing about The Headers’ music is that their original songs blend in perfectly with the cover songs they play. Most of the 30 original songs they have are so well written and fine tuned that you’d swear you had heard them on the radio at some point.

“The great thing about our originals is that they are good songs and have good hooks and good energy, so a lot of the times most people don’t even know they are originals” said Stoll, the drummer.

The future looks bright for The Headers as they have drawn the interest of a major distributor and promoter out of Canada and are playing in one of the country’s biggest music fests, aptly named Musikfest, which headlines Pat Benetar, Joan Jet, The B-52s, and George Thorogood, in August of this year in Bethlehem PA.

If you are fan of the 50’s sound, looking for a fun time, a great show and even better music then you should definitely check out The Headers.

When I first sat down to give the latest album from local Rockabilly band The Headers a listen, I was more than a bit apprehensive. If there's any genre I have extremely little background in, it would probably be a run-off between Polka, Tibetan throat singing and Rockabilly. Beyond Brian Setzer, I can't say that I've had the chance to really explore much of it. That being said, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this album.

Paying homage to the early recordings of Sun Records, lead singer and guitarist Bobby Lebel shows an affinity for drenching his voice in a Southern twang reminiscent of Elvis. In fact, the band seems to relish the image of 50's hip, with lyrics centered around sock hops, dragsters and, of course, plenty of "lovin'."

Either way, the band's music works great within the parameters of the rockabilly sound, featuring chips of overdriven guitar and a tight rhythm section, but also pulls in influence from blues, rock and roll and country. They're extremely tight throughout, and Lebel shines during his lightning-fast solos. I also have to acknowledge the cover of "Sandman," a tune I've always enjoyed humming to myself, and one that the group does a great job reworking. There are some fantastic harmonies here, with solid songwriting, that made the album a compelling listen.

Before I knew it, the album was over. As a music fan, I tend to recognize that as a sign of a remarkable songwriter, and this album is no exception.

Buffalo based band The Headers are a true and authentic live rockabilly outfit. They have a great CD available which is also reviewed in UK's Music Maker Magazine. The band is fronted by guitarist and songwriter Bobby Lebel. Make no mistake, Bobby is a great frontman and guitarist. He has played with legends such as Blues Giant Edgar Winter, backed up stars like Kelly Lee Gifford and opened up concerts for rare Earth, America, Three Dog Night, Twisted Sister and James Cotton. Bobby's influences are firmly set in the Sun Records era of Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochrane's Rockabilly style in juxtaposition with the smooth swing style of Bobby Darin, Dick Dale's surf wave and the picking of Les Paul and Merle Travis. Most people know of Les Paul via his Gibson Signature Guitar, a version of which just about every professional guitarist has owned or played throughout their careers. Few actually realise that this was probably the greatest innovator of electric style guitar the world has known. It's well worth you guitar freaks getting hold of some of Les's early recordings with Mary Ford and listen to his amazing technique. He also innovated over dubbing, multi track recording, tape delay and pioneered solid body electric guitars, without any of which, we wouldn't have a modern music industry.

...Their live stage show includes a fun and danceable mix of original songs, select covers and onstage antics that harken back to the days of sockhops, but propels the style onto the furniture by adding influences of country, jazz, chicken pickin' and rock. There is nowhere to hide in a three piece guitar, bass and drum outfit and therefore everyone involved has to work their socks off to make the whole thing sound full. It worked for such greats as The Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Led Zeppelin and to a smaller but no less greater extent for Johnny Kidd and the Pirates where Mick Green's guitar solos are legendary in the annals of British Rock Music and so it works out just fine for The Headers too. Simplicity has always been the key to great Rock Music down through the years and delivered in this format, it feels natural and real as opposed to the synthesized swamp that seems to submerge everything into unreality these days. I remember listening to Presley a lot when I was a kid and then later seeing him play in the Las Vegas Hilton when his career had faded somewhat. But the King knew how to work his loyal subjects and put on a fantastic show. I also remember working for RCA records when the news of his death was announced. The world suddenly went into mourning but the RCA Execs threw a party as they were relishing the catalogue revival and the unreleased tracks they had in the can. That's what separates the business suits from the music. The old saying, " One man's meat is another man's poison" sprang to mind and certainly one band's music can be forever appreciated down through the years in recorded format by a host of new listeners. The Headers are one such band that certainly deserve a much wider stage in order for listeners across the world to enjoy their particular brand of High Octane Rockabilly.

The Headers Turn it Up!
With this collection of old-school rockabilly
By Amanda Schurr
Creative Loafing

Helmed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Bobby Lebel, The Headers (newcomers to Tampa Bay by way of Buffalo, N.Y.) craft a tight disc of old-school roots rockabilly. Lebel's vocal stylings recall Elvis circa early Sun Records ("Pretty Good Shape"); elsewhere, the frontman channels Dick Dale surf. His nimble playing is front-and-center on the boogie title cut and "Eloise," a track straight out of the Stray Cats playbook, while the jazzy swing of "How High the Sky," "Blue Highway" and an imaginative Steely Dan cover ("Bodhisattva") . Throughout, Lebel, a Buffalo Music Hall of Famer, and his wingmen display a genuine affection for and knowledge of the era, from Eddie Cochran to Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. 3.5 stars

Ok - here is the truth:

Another very well done album is called "turn it up", which was recorded by singer/guitarist Bobby Lebel and band. The Headers is the name of this trio and its music is a very up-to-date mixture of Country, Rockabilly, Jazz and humour. I rarely have listened to such a good grooving band and to a such variedly and entertaining repertoire, wich represents equally a real fat package of virtuosity and technical knowledge - and from time to time charms a grin on the faces of the listeners. The Header are a hit! You have to listen to them!!

...Upstate N.Y. based The Headers sing the praises of rockabilly on their 2007 Turn It Up! CD. While the Headers' rousing roots rock sound is certain to grab the attention of music fans, the group's expert playing and mastery of jazz, country, chicken pickin', and rock is bound to earn the respect of musicians as well. Other self-professed Headers influences like Sun-Records-Era Elvis, Eddie Cochran's rockabilly, Bobby Darin's swing style, Dick Dale's surf wave and the picking of Les Paul and Merle Travis make Turn It Up! a high octane Rockabilly classic indeed. Also on tap is the Headers' Christmas CD tribute Bring Home The Headers For The Holidays including new versions of "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree" and more.

"A rockabilly/dance/pop trio fronted by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Bobby Lebel wielding a big Gretsch... they romp through an assortment of original songs with red hot guitar, quirky melodies, and a revved up rockabilly sensibility. Their cover of the Steely Dan classic "Bodhisattva" is inspired and original."

THE HEADERS
TURN IT UP

By Bruce Eaton - Buffalo Spree Magazine MAY/JUNE 2007
buffalospree.com

OVER TIME, VIRTUALLY EVERY MUSICAL GENRE GENERATES ENOUGH STYLISTIC CLICHES UNTIL IT ALMOST BECOMES A CARICATURE OF ITSELF. You'd no more expect George Strait to perform in baggy jeans flashing a mouth full of shiny grills than you'd expect 50 Cent to rap in tight Wranglers and  a ten-gallon hat. Perhaps no musical genre is more stylized than rockabilly. With Quiff hair-dos shellacked high and back (a souped-up forerunner to the lower-maintenance mullet), retro zoot-suits, twangy guitars, and songs about cars, girls, rumbles, and the Saturday night dance, rockabilly is fun but not very deep. Even the Stray Cats, smash revivalists of the eighties, pretty much admitted that after two albums, they had run out of ideas.

However, the Buffalo-based band The Headers prove that it's still possible to dig into the early days of rock and roll without becoming a Grease-y, cartoon-ish character. Led by Bobby Lebel, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee and one-time member of the Road, the high-octane trio has been turning heads with its debut disc, Turn It Up!, and live performances that showcase the band's ability to venture beyond rockabilly yet not lose sight of its roots. Whether it's with a touch of the British Invasion or Western swing, a nod to surf guitar god Dick Dale, flat-out futuristic pickin' in the style of Les Paul, or a Steely Dan tune filtered through a roadhouse combo, the Headers know how to keep the recipe fresh.

Whatever your age, if you're not too old to rock and roll, a Headers show is a perfect evening out, especially given that many of their gigs have early start times that accommodate those of us for whom 11 p.m. is closer to bedtime than start time. Sipping a fine micro-ale at the Pizza Plant bar while the band soared through a tune that sounded like Elvis's original trio was jamming with Les Paul, one could only conclude that rock and roll is indeed here to stay.

Bruce Eaton regularly writes on music and other topics for Spree.