33 Years...All killer, no filler.

Originally from Washington, DC, with origins starting with growing up with the indelible Reverend Billy C. Wirtz who proved to be the catalyst for a love of blues and rockabilly eventually got his start in Frederick, MD with Carnival of Souls and Rumble Strip. Eventually, this led to a relationship with Dave Lewis and Slick Mick Herbert to form The Gokatz USA and led to two releases. The Gokatz USA played in the early 90’s DC rockabilly scene, but were outsiders due to the brand of gut bucket psychobilly they played but gained notoriety with marked sales of the “It Aint Easy Bein’ Greasy” album.

Leaving Fredrick, MD led to the formation of The Dragtones with owner of the Sanity Check Music label, Blue Ajay. They released the unbridled live album, Live from Lockjaw in 1993. It was at this point, that Erik met Sun Record’s legend Billy Lee Riley while he was recording at Ardent Studios. This led to a relationship that spawned the tribute 7 Inch, “A Tribute to a Legend” recorded with Billy Lee Riley at his home in Newport, Arkansas in 1995. Eventually, an entire tribute cd was compiled by Erik featuring bands around the world writing songs about Billy Lee Riley.

Thru the remainder of the 90’s into the early 2000’s the Dragtones played on. Dragtones spent ten years touring and in the process recorded two albums; “Gambler’s Grave” a psychobilly recording, which was engineered by Les Thompson of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and then the dark, garage rock album “Blood, Guts and Rock and Roll.”In 2013 Dragtones recorded the EP, “Hunker Down in Wiskeytowne.” 2020 saw the release of the Rockabilly Child 7 inch to great reviews.

​

In August of 2020, Dragtones relocated to the Hampton Roads area and released the self-titled 12" single featuring "Memphis In The Dark" backed with "Jalapeño Hot Rocket" and "Gone Cat Gone." 

​

2025 will see the release of the Dragtones, yet to be titled, first full length album since 1993, and will be playing and touring in support of the record.

​