Reverend Horton Heat w/ Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas

Tuesday June 3rd 2025

Charleston Pour House

Main Stage

7:30pm doors/8:30 pm show

$30 General Admission

Loaded .38s, space heaters, and big skies. Welcome to the lethal, littered landscape of Jim Heath’s imagination. True to his high evangelical calling, Jim is a Revelator, both revealing and reinterpreting the country-blues-rock roots of American music. He’s a time-travelling space-cowboy on an endless interstellar musical tour, and we are all the richer and “psychobillier” for getting to tag along.

REVEREND HORTON HEAT have been the outlet of this creative mind for 29 years, leading to 10 full-length albums, 3 “best-of” collections, 2 DVD releases and thousands of memorable live performances. Never reaching platinum status or having a #1 radio single hasn?t been a problem for the Rev either, the band has continually been a mainstay of late night television and has toured with legendary acts such as Johnny Cash, Motorhead, Marilyn Manson, The Ramones, and many more, all of whom hold the Rev in the highest regard, as a true music industry legend.

Now, entered into a fresh new partnership with Victory Records, REVEREND HORTON HEAT show no signs of slowing down in 2014. January 21st marks the release of their 11th studio album, appropriately titled REV. The album marks a much lauded return to riff-laden, out-of-control rock ‘n roll that fans fell in love with when they first heard “Psychobilly Freakout”. The album’s first single has already turned heads; “Let Me Teach You How to Eat” is REVEREND HORTON HEAT at its finest: tongue-in-cheek and so catchy, it won’t leave your head for weeks.

The band has an incredible tour history and, with major shows and tours already booked throughout the year, will make sure you get the chance to dance one more time! Jim Heath and Jimbo Wallace have chewed up more road than the Google Maps drivers. For twenty-five psycho(billy) years, they have blazed an indelible, unforgettable, and meteoric trail across the globe with their unique blend of musical virtuosity, legendary showmanship, and mythic imagery.

“REVEREND HORTON HEAT, he’s great and plays the music he believes in and nothing else. Go see him or I’ll K*ll you!!” Lemmy Kilmister (MOTORHEAD)

Rev your engines and catch the sermon on the road as it’s preached by everybody’s favorite Reverend. REV is out January 21st.

Williams started his professional music career at 21, just five years after high school, recording singles for his brother's El Sid label. Sid also opened a venue in Lafayette, El-Sid-O's, where Nathan became a staple performer on Friday nights.

Williams' big break came when Buckwheat Zydeco recommended him to Rounder Records, which was searching for an accordionist after Buckwheat left for Island Records. Nathan auditioned, secured a recording contract, and in 1985, he founded Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, inspired by a Chenier instrumental. The band debuted at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1988.

In November 1992, the Cha Chas played at the New Orleans Rock n' Bowl for the first time, paving the way for regular zydeco nights there starting in spring 1993. Nathan's 1997 live album, "I'm a Zydeco Hog: Live at the Rock 'N' Bowl, New Orleans," captured the energy of these performances. They also celebrated the venue's 30th anniversary in 2018.

The New York Times once noted that Williams, at 25, was "poised to become important" in revitalizing zydeco. His music blends zydeco, jazz, blues, and R&B, with most of the band’s original songs penned by Williams.

For over three decades, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas have toured extensively, performing everywhere from local Louisiana spots to international stages in countries like Austria, Spain, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, and even Poland, a first for a zydeco band.

The band has always been a family affair, featuring Nathan on accordion and vocals, his brother Dennis Paul on guitar, cousin Mark Anthony "Chukka" Williams on rubboard, and Sid as manager. Other family members involved include his son Nathan Jr., cousin Allen, and nephew Djuan, alongside non-family members like bassists Paul Newman and Wayne Burns, and saxophonist Allen "Cat Roy" Broussard.

In his 1995 album "Creole Crossroads," Williams collaborated with Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet from BeauSoleil, highlighting a rare fusion of zydeco and Cajun styles with his brother Sid and Sid's wife, working in their grocery store. During a period of illness recovery, Williams chose to devote himself to mastering the accordion, practicing secretly in the bathroom. He looked up to Buckwheat Zydeco, who was a key mentor, but it was Chenier who left a lasting impact on his music. Sid eventually bought Nathan his first accordion from Buckwheat Zydeco.

* Show is 21+. Attendees under 21 must be accompanied by a parent & will be subject to a $5 surcharge. The surcharge must be paid in cash at the door on the day of the event.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Charleston Pour House - Main Stage, 1977 Maybank Hwy., Charleston Pour House, United States