Cowboys and samurai rockabilly

With Man in a Zen Ambulance I wanted to try and fuse 1950s music and fashion with Serge Leone’s spaghetti Westerns and the samurai films that inspired them. The setting a surreal retro Thailand. Even some of the narrative construction is designed to be a little like a Zen haiku poem.

 

Hong Kong Rockabilly 

So does it work?

Well, I’m going to post a brief extract from the novel which has the hero heading into the railroad station for the violent showdown. You be the judge: 

“I reckon we’ll be there in about nineteen minutes,” said White.

     Milo felt nauseous at hearing that, trying to clear the rum-shit-muddle out of his head. Way out of practice.

     Black checked his wristwatch. “Yeah, about nineteen max.”

     White turned to the Kid. “You reckon you got a plan, son?”

     “Yes, mister, I have.”

     “Well, you better get on and sort it ’cos you and Milo don’t have much time left.”

     “Mister, I am on it.”

              

“I can see the station,” said White.

     Black nodded. He took out a record and chose the red Dansette Major. He adjusted the speed setting from 45 to 78rpm. Then he placed the record on the deck, brought the arm over until it clicked into position and then gently let the needle down. He flicked the switch. A split-second later, nine giant chrome-finned speakers jumped into life and rose out of the bow of the train in perfect unison like holy nagas.

     Johnny Izu’s 'Kamikaze Boogie' blasted out ahead.

   

The train roared down the line.

    And into the station. 

 

Zen train in the Atomic Age...?