The 69 Cats - Transylvanian Tapes (2014)

The 69 Cats are an all-star psychobilly ensemble whose music honors the "billy" just as much as the "psycho." Blending elements of goth and hard rock along with the usual vintage rhythm and twang, the group is an all-star ensemble featuring members of the Cramps, the Rockats, the 69 Eyes, and Blondie. The group released their first full-length, The Transylvanian Tapes, in 2014, and were introduced to a new audience when one of their songs appeared on the TV series True Blood.

The group was formed by Jyrki69, the vocalist with the Finnish goth rock band the 69 Eyes; in addition to singing with his band, he does DJ sets, and noticed that spinning classic rockabilly at the end of a night of goth-themed music always filled the dancefloor. Hoping to put his two interests together, he formed the 69 Cats with Danny B. Harvey, the American rockabilly guitarist who played with the Rockats as well as backing up Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, and Lemmy Kilmister. Signing on to play bass was Chopper Franklin, a former member of the Cramps, and Clem Burke of Blondie and the Empty Hearts became the group's drummer.