Ditch, Nick, and Chuck
Listen via yer fave streaming doo dah HERE!
The Beginning:
Wichita Kansas Psychobilly/Garage-Rock three piece In Line Juggs, named after a V-Twin Motorcycle engine, existed 10 short months through 1992-93, and in that time recorded two studio albums, one live album, and toured the western States from Kansas to California. Quite a feat for three self-described “good for nuthins…”
Harley riding Singer/Guitarist Nick Space (Idle Spurs) and Drummer/Hot Rod Mechanic Chuck Off (The Graveltones/The Marauders) met Air Force Navigator – Captain Ditch Brosnan, and mistaking his military short back’n’sides for a rockabilly quiff asked him to join them on bass. Bonding over Charlie Feathers, Royal Crown Hair Grease, and Pabst Blue Ribbon, the Juggs rapidly grew into the Mid-West’s wildest Psychobilly band. Emulating The Cramps and The Reverend Horton Heat building a reputation for dynamically tight, yet raunchy live shows.
The Middle:
Cassette only debut release ‘Incurable Psychobilly’ is 10 humdingers chockfull of slap-back and attitude that one review said “sounded like the Stray Cats grew a big pair of balls”. The 2nd album’s darker/heavier sound – ‘More Psycho Than Billy‘ – has been lost, but luckily many tracks were captured on the powerful “Live at Kirby’s Beer Store / Halloween 1992”. The band return to the bar where they first met to perform a three-set 45 song soundtrack for Wichita’s beloved Kirby’s annual drunken chaotic Halloween party. All studio and live recordings miraculously captured by Chris Pierpont and remastered in 2022 by Clive Painter.
Live is where the Juggs were in their element – masters of loud/quiet/loud dynamics. Nick – a look you in the eye frontman conjuring voodoo spirits of Jerry Lee Lewis and Screaming Jay Hawkins, had the ability to rile even the most docile crowd into a frenzy. Chuck and Ditch had the best haircuts of any rhythm section EVER! Their banter with audiences grew with every bottle of Pabst Blue Ribbon consumed – and they consumed a lot. Ditch would often mid-show, mid-song even, walk across the audience’s tables to the bar collecting more beer. Chuck hit the drums harder than a man twice his size and demanded, to promoter’s disbelief, band payments to be made in Pabst Blue Ribbon (bottles only) refusing cash offers wrangling instead for up to 10 cases of PBR – on ice!
The End:
Referencing their song “Women’s Penal Farm“, plans brewed for a Coast to Coast ‘Women’s Penal Tour’ – the band only playing Women’s Prisons and Correctional Institutions. Prisons obliged and seven shows were lined up when the Juggs dissolved after Ditch announced he was moving to England to form Super J Lounge (later joining The Real Tuesday Weld). Chuck relocated to Austin playing with the likes of The Ban-Lons, Lonesome Dave Fisher, and Herman The German. Nick Space disappeared… word on the street is he hung up his 6 strings and become an architect but fingers crossed he is still playing and gets in touch.
Perhaps these good-for-nuthins could make the Women’s Penal Tour still happen and give those locked up ladies a treat – especially the ones with long sentences who missed out first time around…
HELP! We seem to have misplaced our Singer/Guitarist Nick Space. If you know where he is have him get in touch… #findnickspace