POP MUSIC REVIEW : LEGENDARY STARDUST COWBOY ROCKS HARD AT THE PALOMINO

Those who subscribe to the theory that at least half of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll records of all time emerged not from the tortured psyches of superstar artistes, but from Bible-readin’, poke-chop eatin’ jes’ plain folks who reached down into their souls for one bright shiny moment would’ve found ample supporting evidence for their point of view when the Legendary Stardust Cowboy performed Sunday at the Palomino.

Backed by the San Jose quartet the Soul Senders, “Ledge”--as he’s known to his friends--opened (and closed) his 30-minute set with purt’ near ‘zact re-creations of his over-the-top, psychobilly kult klassick “Paralyzed.” Bugle solo, drum solo, intermittent arhythmic yelps ‘n’ all.

The remainder of the show was given to songs about radar, garbage cans and the Space Shuttle, punctuated by much hip-swiveling, occasional spur-fondling and a bevy of ‘tween-tune reminders that Legendary Stardust Cowboy albums and T-shirts were on sale offstage left.

In stranger-than-fiction truth, the Lubbock native’s ’68 revel in schlockusAmericanus and mockery of rockabilly mannerisms has been a seminal influence in the work of everyone from such latter-day trash compactors as the Cramps to fellow Texan and self-proclaimed Martian Roky Erickson. Only goes to show that glorious, one-shot rock ‘n’ roll will stand, scream and parade through an audience stripped to its spotted bikini briefs.