About

The Mad Tea
Krekel & Ami
(formerly Mad Tea Party)

Garage pop duo Mad Tea’s high energy rock ‘n’ roll creates a freakout rock ‘n’ roll vibe everywhere they go. Listeners are drawn to the dance floor by one-man-band Jason’s Krekel’s driving drums and surf guitar licks and the bouncy beat of Ami Worthen’s electric ukulele and guitar. Tight harmonies and catchy songs tie the sound together. Mix in a playful sense of humor, and it makes complete sense that the band is a frequent opener for hillbilly rockers Southern Culture on the Skids.

In addition their dynamic live show, Krekel and Ami have consistently been putting out quality recordings. Their most recent 7” EP, “Rock n Roll Ghoul,” was produced by garage rock legend Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivions). No Depression described Mad Tea as a “punkabilly band” and said the record “digs up the bones of classic ‘60s garage rock.”

“Rock n Roll Ghoul” was the second in a series of Halloween vinyl releases for Mad Tea, the first being 2009’s EP “Zombie Boogie.” Both records were featured in the popular horror movie mag Rue Mourge, in addition receiving enthusiastic blog and radio exposure. Prior to these EPs was a full-length album, “Found a Reason,” which was released on Nine Mile Records in 2008 with much critical acclaim.

A little band with a wide appeal, Mad Tea moves easily between tiny dive bars and national festivals such as FloydFest. As the Independent Weekly put it, “Retro rock can be divisive: If one decade is the pinnacle of pop, the next might be the end of days, and vice versa for the next listener. But multiple generations might agree on this Asheville duo.”

Krekel & Ami

Jason Krekel is a one-man-band, singing and playing guitar and drums all at once the same time! As one writer put it, Krekel performs “an amazing ballet of musicianship” (Post & Courier). Moreoever, “when guitarist Jason Krekel climbs up and down the frets of his guitar, he plucks the strings with an energy Elvis would respond to, and his songwriting channels that of Chuck Berry” (PopMatters). Krekel is also visual artist, creating hand-carved ephemera. See his work at www.krekprints.com.

“Ami Worthen of the Mad Tea leaves quite the impression in her eccentrically striped stockings, elegant evening dress and amped-up ukulele. Clearly the instrument belongs off the beach and in the hands of a woman who knows how to bring some flare to the stage” (Style Weekly). “Worthen’s voice is a honey drenched Wanda Jackson revisited. There is a sweetness that bellies the sass and charm drawling across the speakers” (Unbound Culture). Ami is also a prolific blogger: www.amiwhoa.com.

Note About the Name

The band has played under the name Mad Tea Party for years, and sometimes still does, but now prefers to be called Mad Tea.

Additional Materials

mad tea stage plot

Press Photo – click image for high res version.
Credit: Michael Traister

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