Combining the most prominent masked instrumentalists with a larger-than-life Western swing crooner and a bevy of buxom brunette go-go dancers, The Los Straitjackets Rock ‘n’ Roll Party strolls into The Highdive to celebrate the venue’s third anniversary this Monday, July 1. A variety revue featuring Los Straitjackets along with Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys and the dancing group The World Famous Pontani Sisters, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Party is sure to be one of the year’s more unique concerts.

The Men Behind the Masks
Los Straitjackets are one of the rare bands that are known as much for what they wear as what they play. The band’s guitar-driven, instrumental surf-rock songs complement their memorable costume idea—Luche Libre-inspired Mexican wrestling masks. "A band should look cool on stage, and so many of them don’t," says guitarist Danny Amis. "They wear the same clothes they would wear to the supermarket, and there’s nothing interesting about that." These guys dig their masks so much that they actually don them in the recording studio. Amis explains, "They’re definitely inspiring to play in. There’s just something about putting on a mask that sort of frees the soul." The band couples their look with on-stage choreography based on ‘60s Mexican rock ‘n’ roll movies.

Going the extra mile to entertain audiences has paid off. Besides having their songs featured on Sex in the City and Meet the Parents, the band—which also includes guitarist Eddie Angel, bassist Pete Curry and drummer Jimmy Lester—performed in and played on the soundtrack of the 2001 movie Psycho Beach Party. Conan O’Brien is also a big fan, and has hosted the band on his late-night talk show five times. "Every time we do that show, he hangs around at rehearsal and makes me show him how to play whatever song we’re doing on guitar," says Amis. "He’s really quite a good guitar player."

With four instrumental CDs under their belt, you have to wonder if the band feels limited by the lack of vocals. "No, quite the opposite," Amis states. "It’s really nice to have the freedom to create melody lines that you don’t have to anchor to words." However, last year Los Straitjackets decided to break the instrumental mold. Despite having a fine singer in Angel, the group looked elsewhere for vocal talent. "We noticed there are a lot of bands out there that feature vocalists," Amis relates. "We have a lot of friends who are good vocalists, so we thought it would be a fun novelty to put together an album with vocals on it." The band released their star-studded Sing Along with Los Straitjackets CD, featuring a variety of guest singers—Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and The Raiders), Dave Alvin (The Blasters), Exene Cervenka (X) and Big Sandy—who cover a variety of ‘50s and ‘60s tunes like "Black Is Black," "California Sun" and "The End of the World." The outcome is a hang-ten, surfin’ safari party album with a bit of a Tex-Mex AM radio feel.

Moving forward, Los Straitjackets have big plans for 2002. Amis produced and directed The Pontani Sister’s new exercise video "Go-Go-Robics" that includes some Los Straitjackets tunes. In addition to touring with their Rock ‘n’ Roll Party through the end of the year, the band will release a Christmas album this fall of mostly traditional tunes done Straitjackets style and will begin recording a new original instrumental album in August to be released next spring. The band will also join vintage surf legends The Ventures in hosting a five-day cruise party that sails from L.A to Mexico next February (check out www.straitjackets.com for details).

The Broadening of Big Sandy
Since Big Sandy was a longtime friend of Los Straitjackets and had already recorded with them, the singer was a logical choice when Los Straitjackets decided to tour with a guest vocalist. "Out of all the singers on the [Sing Along...] album, he is the most versatile," Amis says.

Born Robert Williams, Big Sandy picked up his nickname from wearing his uncle’s jacket that had "Sandy" embroidered on it. "There were already a couple other Robert Williams out there," Sandy explains. "I guess I wanted something to hide behind, too. There’s a personality difference when I step up onto the stage. I started out a little bit shy and on the quiet side. Being in a band and becoming this other personality gave me a chance to be everything I wished I could be but really wasn’t."

Formed in 1988, The Fly-Rite Trio played for three years before adding a steel guitar player and becoming The Fly-Rite Boys in 1991. "We started off being pretty much a straight-ahead rockabilly band," Sandy states. "As the years have gone by, we’ve broadened the scope a little. ... We’re basically a rock ‘n’ roll band that has varied influences that include Western, swing, R&B, jazz, country, Latin music. Just a healthy mix of different styles—which is what rock ‘n’ roll is anyway—but I think our roots show a little bit more than some other bands."

Despite releasing nine CDs, touring with Morrissey in 1992, earning a music video on TNN and CMT and performing twice on Conan O’Brien, the highlight thus far for Big Sandy was his group’s appearance on The Grand Ole Opry. "The Opry isn’t as important within the country music world as it once was, but to me it is," shares Sandy. While The Opry was the most unforgettable performance, working with Los Straitjackets and The Pontani Sisters would have to be the most fun, although it took awhile to convince Big Sandy of that. "It’s something I wouldn’t have come up with myself because I would have been too nervous to attempt something like that—to leave the comfort of my own band," Sandy confesses. The experience has not only affected his singing style but his stage presentation as well. "A lot of the material [Los Straitjackets] cover has more of a ‘60s groove. I get the chance to be a little more soulful.... There’s a difference that I didn’t know would be there. It feels a little freer."

DJ and Dancing Night It’s Not
Adding their feminine wiles and way-over-the-top costumes to the male-dominated lineup will be The World Famous Pontani Sisters, who also have Conan O’Brien’s seal of approval. Although sisters Angie, Helen and Tara have studied dance their whole lives, they didn’t make their official group debut until a few years ago when Rob Cittadino of the New York swing band Dem Brooklyn Bums added the girls to his shows. Following those performances, the sisters’ success began to snowball. After scoring regular weekly gigs around NYC, The Pontanis were recently named "The Best New York Based Dance Company" by Show Business Weekly.

Los Straitjackets hooked up with the girls a year-and-a-half ago. "It was a perfect match," admits Amis. So Los Straitjackets included the girls on their tour last fall. "It brings the level up that much more. They dance so well to our music and they encourage others to dance. It’s great," says Amis.

The girls have truly upped the ante on Los Straitjackets’ live shows. Mixing decadent dance numbers with classic burlesque sass and exotic ‘50s-era showgirl outfits, The Pontanis’ highly choreographed bumping and grinding creates a sort of neo-vaudevillian, MGM Technicolor fantasyland experience. Throw in Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys and you’ve got a complete three-ring circus that’s been driving audiences wild. "It’s fun to watch the crowd’s reactions. People really get into it," boasts Sandy.

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite boys will kick things off at 9 p.m. followed by The Pontani Sisters and finally Los Straitjackets joined by Big Sandy and the sisters. Hopefully, The Fly-Rite Boys will jump in for a grand finale!