In 1995, Sinner formed The Chop Tops so he’d have a way to share his love
of rockabilly music – but he also enjoyed other musical styles (like punk, surf,
and psychobilly) and didn’t want to stop playing them completely. So the band
blended all of their favorite music genres together to create their own special
sound. The Chop Tops even coined the phrase “Revved-Up Rockabilly” to
describe their unique combination of rebel music styles. As the band progressed,
Sinner developed his wild style of lead vocals combined with drumming while
standing up. When guitarist Shelby joined in 1999, his talented riffs and high-
energy stage presence were a perfect fit for The Chop Tops. Shelby brought a
wealth of experience from previously playing in many San Francisco Bay Area
bands and jamming with the likes of Chris Isaac. In 2008, Brett became the
upright bassist, having formerly played with several popular Los Angeles ‘Billy
bands. Brett’s string-slapping skills added the finishing touch to the “Revved-
Up Rockabilly” trio. Together, Sinner, Shelby, and Brett have turned The Chop
Tops into one red-hot rockin’ act. The band takes their breed of rockabilly music
across the U.S. to perform more than 200 shows every year. Thanks to their
music’s unique style, blurring the lines between genres, they’ve shared the stage
with the likes of Adolescents, Agent Orange, Alvis Wayne, Angry Samoans, Big
Sandy, The Blasters, Brian Setzer, BR549, Chuck Berry, Danny B. Harvey, Dead
Kennedys, Deke Dickerson, Demented Are Go, Dick Dale, D.O.A., Dr. Know,
Dwight Yoakam Band, Guana Batz, Gene Vincent’s Original Blue Caps, Glen
Glenn, John Lee Hooker (R.I.P.), Lee Rocker, Levi Dexter, Link Wray (R.I.P.),
Los Lobos, Los Straitjackets, Nekromantix, Mad Sin, The Paladins, The Planet
Rockers, Marky Ramone, Ray Campi, Ray Condo (R.I.P.), The Reverend Horton
Heat, Rip Masters, Royal Crown Revue, Rusty York, Suicidal Tendencies,
Wanda Jackson and many more legendary greats! So get in your ride, step on
the gas, and race down to see them play…you’ll be glad you did!

The rock bands call us a surf band, the surf bands call us a rock band…..we are the HEAVIES!!! BIG drums-FAT bass-STINGING guitars…check us out and be overcome by a tsunami of sound! Christmas 1999: Jason and I were talking about music and got on the subject of surf-instro and both expressed interest in playing it. Three months later we started getting together at his place and learned about 15-20 songs with me playing rhythm and him on lead. We looked for about 18 months for a drummer and bass player with no luck. Jay knew Jim from some job sites they had worked at and asked him to play drums with us. The 3 of us started practicing regularly in the spring of ’02 in Jim’s parents’ garage while we kept looking for a bass player. Jim’s Dad thought the stuff we were playing sounded great and started learning the bass lines. We played our first “show” labor day weekend 2002 at a 3-band birthday party as a 4-piece. Two months later, his dad passed the bass duties on to Jim’s brother, who moved to California and soon the revolving door started. After 4 years and 7 different bass players we decided to become a 3 piece and Jay and I switch between bass and guitar during sets.

Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Johnny Murder & the 25 to Life have been bangin’ out shows all over the country since 2006. With songs soaked in evil oozing reverb and lyrics, they’ve created an incredibly dynamic sound that keeps people on their feet and blood-thirsty for more! Johnny Murder’s unique brand of Psychobilly takes bites out of many different genres and rolls them all into one rockin’ and wreckin’ good time!