Is That Guy Karate Chopping His Throat?: An Appreciation of “TVs From Outer Space” by Butch Willis and the Rocks

by tonydoug wright

Before you read any further, I recommend that you watch the circa 1986 performance of ‘TVs from Outer Space’ by Butch Willis and The Rocks, which can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt4EeA7eLzE.

You may be wondering what you just watched, or if you’re a member of the outsider music cognoscenti, then you may be familiar with this performance, which is now available on the Heavy Metal Parking Lot DVD. Opinions on music are subjective, so it is understandable if certain fans of popular music are not interested in watching what they consider to be a rock and roll train wreck featuring a man karate chopping his throat while a another man, dressed as a deranged member of the Fabulous Freebirds, screams inaudible lyrics into a microphone.

Bizarre but energetic, Butch Willis and The Rocks’ ‘TVs from Outer Space’ is, in my opinion, a fantastic example of the do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit that fuels the outsider music genre. What’s the outsider music genre? It is a genre where artists are placed outside the realm of rock and roll due to a variety of issues including mental illness, levels of drug use that would cause Keith Richards to cringe, a signing voice that is best described as “really weird”, and delusions of grandeur. Although many do not find outsider music to be appealing, I am proud to say that I am a fan of outsider favorites such as Roky Erickson, Daniel Johnston, R. Stevie Moore, and Butch Willis.

So who is Butch Willis? He’s a Washington D.C. based artist that has released a few albums on the Teenbeat label. Willis’ past is one filled with bouts with mental illness and addictions to drugs, but somehow Willis, the composer of ‘Pizza on my Jeans’, is alive and kicking.

‘TVs from Outer Space’ may not be on your list of rock classics, but you have to give Butch Willis and the Rocks an “A” for effort because they definitely bring their rock and roll best in their performance. Willis, who may have stolen his wardrobe from Jake “The Snake” Roberts closet, is something of a rock and roll chainsaw, chewing through lyrics, while his band keeps it tight with a 60s garage rock beat. Also, how many bands have a throat vocalist?

Of course the snooty critic would dismiss Butch Willis and the Rocks as a disaster because the guitar player is not on level with Steve Vai and the bass player is no Les Claypool. What irritates me as a music fan is the when people bemoan the fact that the world of rock is filled with holier-than-thou musicians who take their music way too seriously and hope for an infusion of humble or “average Joe” musicians. When the “average Joe” musicians arrive then there is an outcry for more polished musicians.

Butch Willis is no Andrea Bocelli, but the guy does his best to kick out the jams. Is he posing on the stage with a “worship me” attitude? No, because Willis is all over the stage with his rock and roll energy. Go ahead and tell Willis that he sucks, and I’ll bet you he kicks you in the face with one of those giant snakeskin boots. Outsider music may not be for everyone, but I turn up the volume when I hear “TVs From Outer Space’. Rock on, Mr. Willis, and may I suggest placing some detergent on your jeans for fifteen minutes to remove the pizza stain.