by Mark Deming Fusing the swing of classic rockabilly with the hot-wired energy and ghoulish imagery of the Misfits, Detroit's the Koffin Kats prove that high-octane psychobilly is still alive and kicking in the American Midwest. The Koffin Kats were formed in 2003 by lead singer and upright bassist Vic Victor and guitarist/vocalist Tommy Koffin, who had been part of the Motor City punk scene for some time before trying their hands at the doom-struck twang of their punk-rockabilly fusion. The band has had a number of drummers come and go over the years, with Damian Detroit having the longest run (from 2003 to 2005); E-Ball Walls, who played with the Kats for a spell in 2003, rejoined the lineup in 2007. The trio released their first album, simply titled The Koffin Kats, in 2004, and hit the road in support of the record. Since then, the Koffin Kats have maintained a busy tour schedule, frequently gigging on the West Coast as well as closer to home, and have released two more long-players, 2005's Inhumane and 2006's Straying from the Pack.