Exclusive Interview with John Barton of Atomic Boogie

Exclusive interview by “Big Boy” of Garage71 Radio and Grease Inc.

Recently, we enjoyed sitting down after a great season

with one of the founders of Atomic Boogie, guitarist and vocalist, John Barton.

Tell us a little on how Atomic Boogie was formed What's the inspiration of Atomic Boogie? John Barton of Atomic Boogie: Atomic Boogie was formed when Chad and I decided to just play in a band doing the music we like Rockabilly and Blues, after a 2 year run with drummer Pete Bennie we hooked up with Steve and he's been with us 14 of the 16 yrs we been a band. Our inspiration was to play the music like the old guys would have if they had come along 50 years later! We took the name Atomic Boogie from and old 1950's radio show from Memphis the Atomic Boogie Hour.

What role does Atomic Boogie lend to the Atlanta music scene? John Barton: I think Atomic Boogie are kind of rebels on the Atlanta Music scene, that's why we call ourselves Rockabilly Outlaws. We play a very Southern Style of roots music and we really don't have the Trendy Rockabilly look like most bands do but we are authentic as hell.

What is your current favorite song of Atomic Boogie? Why? John Barton: My Favorite AB song is probably” I’ll Be Leaving Memphis”. I like it because it’s my answer to a Stray Cats song called “ I can’t go back to Memphis anymore”! I’m a huge Setzer fan. I’ve played Gretsch guitars for 35 years because I read he played one back in 1983!

What has been so far your most memorable moment with Atomic Boogie? John Barton: The most memorable thing I think Atomic Boogie has done at least in the last few years was to play The Nashville Boogie this year it kind of made us feel like we were in the Rockabilly group so to speak. We are proud to be different but we definitely want to be in the current Rockabilly scene, we are fans of a lot of bands in that scene!

Where do you believe the creativity comes from within Atomic Boogie? John Barton: The creativity comes from mine and Chad's deranged sense of humor as far as songs go! Musicially we are inspired by a lot of the bands we share the stages with.

Who have been your influences over the year? John Barton: Atomic Boogies biggest influences as a band are The Paladins, The Stray Cats, Rev Horton Heat, The Cramps, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.

Where is Atomic Boogie heading next? John Barton: We going to start working on a new CD called Rockabilly Outlaws in January and we are looking forward to the big show in Tucumcari, New Mexico at the the Rockin' Route 66 Festival the last weekend of June, 2019. I think our biggest goal as a band is to make it to the 20 year mark then see if we're still able to keep on going!