Built 4 Speed – Minor Part II

Release date: 28-09-2007; Label: Cargo Regords Germany
By: Nina Mende

In the event Johnny, Gamasche, Voodoo Finger and Luca Brasi are for once not
roaming european’s stages to revolutionize rockabilly, they roam Johnny’s
garden, precisely his patio right next to the king-size-barbecue in rural  Westfalia/Germany

  – come rain or come shine, but always equipped with Beck’s beer. Bad
  Oeynhausen isn’t exactly the heart of Rock’n’Roll, but the headquarter
  of Rockabilly-fraction BUILT 4 SPEED, who have just released “Minor Part
  2” in September after “Minor Part 1” and the “Personal Jesus
  EP”. Every song is self-penned by Johnny, who is struck by muse only during
  the night. He strictly composes in a minor key (hence the album title), as Johnny
  thinks minor best transports his message: “inspiriation for my songs are
  experiences within the circle of my friends. My tunes address topics of heart
  & soul, love and pain – I just LOVE a minor key for that”. 4 musicians
  of 4 directions were consolidated in November 2005 by Johnny’s simple task
  of placing an advertisement in a daily newspaper: „Popstar in the making
  is looking for like-minded musicians”. The result: BUILT 4 SPEED: four
  cool dudes, who –pressed on CD or live on stage– take off like a rocket
  when playing rockabilly, wrapped in 4/4-tact minor tones.

  But let me tell you about their latest album “Minor part 2”:
  Immediately after I pressed play I heard that gorgeous, and for the rockabilly
  genre typical, instrument: the upright bass. What a gorgeous sound was coming
  to my ears and warmed my heart!!! The album contains many great songs such as
  “by my side”, “back again”, “six feed under”,
  “Just playing the bass” or “Suicide Girl”. The lyrics are
  very thoughtful in my opinion, taken out of life. There is one cover on this
  album: “Personal Jesus”. I have always loved this song, and I also
  like their version of it. The songs are very passionate and well-balanced between
  fast and slow songs. These guys convinced me that they don’t just only kick
  ass and rock as hell but also have a heart. I could go on and enthuse about
  this album so much, simply because I love this genre and this album is really
  good, but I think you should make up your own mind and listen to it yourself.
  BUT let me tell you some more things about it: Johnny (the singer) has a great
  voice, he sings soft but he can also sing very smoky and harsh. Further do I
  think of Chris Isaak or some country side at some parts of some songs and remind
  of the typical “driving along the Route 66”. I love this CD and all
  of you rockabillies will love it too. Don’t forget: “in pain we trust”.

Links:

Built for Speed official
Built for Speed Myspace