Psycho Zydeco - Zydeco Factory / Get On Board (2000/2006)

Personnel:
Stefan Sernek accordion, bass & vocals
Christopher Wilson sax, frottoir & vocals
Gregg Hatton guitar, frottoir & vocals
Gene Gill drums & percussion

Psycho Zydeco was formed In 1991 when accordionist Stefan Sernek and guitarist Gregg Hatton discovered the Louisiana based styles of cajun and zydeco music. They assembled custom made instruments necessary for the zydeco sound, such as washboards and various triangles, and combined them with the 'Squeezebox' and R+B style guitar. Later joined by saxophonist Chris Wilson and drummer Gene Gill, the band started exploring the many permutations of zydeco and cajun. The group began performing In the Sydney area and slowly started to form a reputation as purveyors of a new and exciting foreign sound. The band released its debut CD, SwampBox, in 1995 and had by then began to make regular appearances at folk, jazz, and blues festivals throughout the eastern seaboard of Australia. Although Psycho Zydeco displayed a leaning towards the rhythm and blues style of Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat, and Rockin' Dopsie, the group has shown a desire to also perform the more folk and cajun styles complete with creole French lyrics and ringing giant triangle. Despite their fascination with these American styles, the band believe the Psycho Zydeco sound has an undeniably Australian quality that is their own.

At the end of 2000 Psycho Zydeco proudly announced the release of their third full length CD, titled Zydeco Factory. The band was finally able to emerge from their factory studio where they had written, rehearsed and recorded the long awaited successor to the groups previous two albums.
Zydeco Factory explores a wide range of rhythms and grooves and is a potent brew of Australian style blues tinged zydeco. From Cajun instrumentals to steaming country grunge and rollicking zydeco funk, this album is an eclectic, spicy gumbo of all original songs.

In 2006 the band released their fourth album, “Get On Board”- a 16 track Psycho Zydeco time capsule spanning the evolution of this music from its rockin’ bluesy beginnings right through to the funkier style of zydeco nouveaux. For the first time the band was performing live with Chris Mawer on electric bass which freed Stefan from his extraordinary role as the accordion/bass player in Psycho Zydeco and ushered in a funky new groove in the band’s sound.
On Get on Board we’ve recorded a bunch of original tunes as well as select arrangements of material that helps us tell the story of zydeco music. The new Psycho material shows the different sides that the band has developed over time. While songs like Zydeco Nights have an upbeat and happy Cajun groove, others such as the rollicking Surf Cowboy are a little wild and downright fun!
If you haven’t seen the band live, this recording is pretty indicative of a Psycho Zydeco gig, capturing the band in full flight. The love of playing the music shines through when the zydeco machine gets up a full head of steam.