Reverend Horton Heat fires up the Observatory

Psychobilly trio soundtracks a mosh — with Christmas tunes

Author

By Mark Carpowich

Publish Date

Dec. 18, 2015

These days, says Jim Heath (56), his poison is Tums.

Considering that his band’s set list included songs with titles like “Marijuana” and “Bales of Cocaine,” you’d think that Jim Heath would have had some pretty crazy stories of debauchery on the road to share with fans at the Observatory North Park.

Until you remember that the Reverend Horton Heat singer-guitarist is 56. Despite confessing that he “overdosed on Tums” earlier in the tour, which resulted in a seven-hour stay in an Albuquerque emergency room, Heath looked and played at full strength during his band’s North Park engagement. The psychobilly trio rewarded fans who turned out on a rainy Sunday night with nearly 20 songs, including a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Run Rudolph,” notable not only for Heath and bassist Jimbo Wallace swapping instruments, but also being among the few holiday songs you’ll ever hear used as a mosh-pit soundtrack.

The Reverend Horton Heat played several songs from their newest studio album, Victory Lap, but also treated fans to classics spanning the band’s 25-year catalog, including the title track from 1996’s It’s Martini Time. Because if there’s anything that Heath and his bandmates have taught fans, it’s how to have fun overindulging in a good drink. Or an antacid.