Folsom Prison Blues

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Folsom Prison Blues" by Red Rockers from their 1981 album Condition Red for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, a high-energy cover of Johnny Cash’s iconic 1955 song, showcases the New Orleans-based punk rockers’ ability to infuse raw, rebellious spirit into a country classic. According to a 1981 interview in Flipside magazine, the band chose to cover the song because they admired Cash’s outlaw persona and wanted to bridge the gap between punk’s defiance and country’s storytelling grit. Guitarist James Singletary noted, “Cash’s song is about being trapped, and punk’s all about breaking free—it just clicked.” The Red Rockers’ version swaps Cash’s laid-back train rhythm for a frenetic, distorted guitar-driven sound, clocking in at just over two minutes, a nod to punk’s urgency.

One piece of trivia about this cover is its recording process. In a 2015 post on the Red Rockers Fan Club Facebook group, drummer Patrick Butler Jones recalled that the band recorded the track in a single take at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, fueled by “cheap beer and a lot of attitude.” The raw energy captured in that session was deliberate, as the band wanted to honor Cash’s prison narrative while making it resonate with their punk audience. Fans on the PunkRockers.com fan forum have pointed out that the Red Rockers played this song live at early gigs to hype up crowds, often dedicating it to “anyone feeling caged by the system.” This sentiment aligned with the band’s ethos, as they were known for lyrics tackling social and political frustrations in songs like “China” from the same album.

The Red Rockers formed in New Orleans in 1979, emerging from the city’s vibrant punk scene. The original lineup—John Thomas Griffith (vocals/guitar), James Singletary (guitar), Darren Hill (bass), and Patrick Butler Jones (drums)—came together as teenagers inspired by bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols. According to a bio on their Discogs page, the band started playing in local dive bars and quickly gained a following for their intense live shows. Their big break came when they signed with 415 Records, a San Francisco-based label, which released Condition Red. The album’s mix of punk aggression and melodic hooks caught the attention of college radio stations, laying the groundwork for their later evolution into a more new wave sound with their 1983 hit “China.” Griffith once said in a 1982 Maximum Rocknroll interview, “We were just kids with guitars who wanted to scream about what pissed us off. New Orleans gave us the soul, punk gave us the fire.”

While the Red Rockers disbanded in 1985, their legacy lives on through fan communities and occasional reunion shows. You can explore more about their music and history on their Discogs profile, as they don’t maintain an official website. For social media, check out the Red Rockers Official Facebook page, where band members occasionally share throwback photos and updates. Their Instagram account (@redrockersnola) features fan-submitted memorabilia and clips from old performances. On X (@RedRockersBand), they engage with fans and post about punk rock history. Fans can also connect on the Red Rockers Fan Club Facebook group or discuss their music on the PunkRockers.com fan forum, where enthusiasts share rare recordings and concert stories.