I first met Rob at the annual Rockabilly Rave weekender. Rob is a frequent visitor to the various rockin’ events around Europe and brings a little bit of Texas to the proceedings. As you’ve probably already realised Rob is a barber who has a shop in Dallas and specializes in the greased back style that no self respecting Rockabilly should be seen without. After receiving a haircut which supplied me with the best lookin’ quiff a long haired layabout like me has had in years I handed Rob a copy of my mag and explained how I hoped to be visiting Texas very soon. He told me that if I was ever in Dallas I should call in the shop. So I did.
The minute you walk through the door of Rob’s Chop Shop you are transported back to the cool look of the fifties America. The centre piece is of course the authentic barber chair which stands alone in the centre of the shop. Looking around you can’t help notice all the memorabilia hanging on the walls, standing on shelves and placed in cabinets. In fact even the cabinets and shelves are probably fifties originals. The walls are covered in framed old movie posters, photo’s of various hotrods (another common interest amongst Rob and some of his customers) and also photo’s of (famous) people who have visited the shop and had their hair cut by the man himself. One I noticed during my short visit was a signed photo of Brian Setzer taken at the shop.
It was Sunday when we pulled up behind the shop and although Rob’s wasn’t open, this was no ordinary Sunday. One week later was the Vegas Grind weekender and Rob was having a pre-Vegas party out the back of his shop which just happens to be right next door to the ‘Bar Of Soap’ (which is of course a beer bar)
where it seems a lot of Rob’s friends and customers hang out.
Sadly my visit was going to be a brief one as we were off to the KNON Blues fest which was just around the corner at the ‘Sons Of Herman Hall’. It was another hot afternoon in Dallas and what better way to spend it than with an ice cold beer, friends and the air filled with rockin’ sounds. It was then that Rob came over and asked if I’d like to see inside the shop. So with beer in hand I ventured next door.
Sadly my visit was going to be a brief one as we were off to the KNON Blues fest which was just around the corner at the ‘Sons Of Herman Hall’. It was another hot afternoon in Dallas and what better way to spend it than with an ice cold beer, friends and the air filled with rockin’ sounds. It was then that Rob came over and asked if I’d like to see inside the shop. So with beer in hand I ventured next door.
Anyway, if you’re ever in Dallas and you want to go where you’ll know your quiff will be in safe hands then Rob’s Chop Shop is the only place to go. And if it’s grease you need then Rob even has his own brand which is available in various strengths or you could try some Teenage Thunder Hair Tonic. And that’s not all, you can also pick up one of his exclusive T-shirts, work shirts, hats or unbreakable combs.
If you don’t make it to Dallas then keep an eye out for Rob at the Rockabilly Rave weekender and if he’s there then you to could experience a little sleazin’ and greasin’ Texas style. M.G.
