The Nervous Fellas

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Early Nervous Fellas Poster for The Town Pump Vancouver BC

One of Canada's premier Rockabilly bands, The Nervous Fellas began in Vancouver around the winter of 1986. The band took its name from the lyrics of a Smiley Lewis song titled "Real Gone Lover". Their set list comprised of obscure covers from the Fifties and their own original songs. You were not going to hear Rock Around the Clock or Great Balls of Fire from this band.

With Butch Murphy on Vocals, Ronnie Hayward on Bass, Chris Colt on Guitar and Al Black on Drums, they played mostly in Canada and were known for their exciting stage show and fast-paced Rockabilly. They often played at "The Railway Club" in Vancouver, where the idea of the band was formed. By the winter of 1987, the band had a hugh following and were billed as "Canada's rockabilly Madmen".

They play rockabilly and blues that are raw, biting, and aggressive

– Tom Harrison, The Province Newpaper Tuesday June 28 1988

In the beginning, they started as an opening act for such bands as The Pogues, Tragically Hip, George Thorogood, and Junior Wells, but it wasn't long before they grabbed the main stage themselves.

They had several recordings on EastSide Records. Their first self-titled release was produced by Jimmy Roy from the Ray Condo band.It was recorded in Jimmy Roy's living room. Their second studio recording "Born To Be Wild" was released on the UK label Nervous Records in 1990. While the band had a strong showing on the college radio charts, they were unable to break into mainstream radio play.

Many personnel changes happen during the fellas short life. Chris Colt left in late 1987 to be replaced by Mark Johnson. Al Black left in 1989 to play fulltime in the Last Wild Sons. Butch Murphy was also in the Last Wild Sons. Al Black was replaced by John Decan, who was later replaced by Billy Rogers.

Billy Rogers had tasted some success with such bands as Johhny Thunders and the Ramones. Billy Rogers passed away from complications due to pneumonia, at his home in Toronto, on Tuesday August 7th, 2001.

Ronnie Hayward left in 1990 and was later replaced by Pete Turland. Pete, originally from England, had been in The Baskervilles along with Darrel Higham. The only original member to stay to the end, which was in the beginning of 1992, was Butch Murphy. Butch and Ronnie later teamed up to start the Bughouse 5.

Recent postings of the band on YouTube has piqued the interest of rockabilly fans. There is talk of the original fellas rejoining to do a Canadian tour, as all are still active in the music business. Butch Murphy can still be found hosting the Saturday jam at the Railway Club in Vancouver.

The Nervous Fellas name has since been used by a band in UK but does not have any of the Canadian members.