Gabba gabba 'turkey in the' hey!

But Tommy Ramone, drummer and producer of the seminal New York punk rockers in their late 70s gabba gabba heyday, will be playing Country Blue Grass and Blues (CBGB) true to the famous nightspot's original purpose, when he takes to the stage at the Playhouse on May 7.

Though a pivotal contributer to some of the most influential punk rock records ever made - Ramones, Leave Home and Rocket to Russia - featuring tracks such as Blitzkrieg Bop, Chainsaw Massacre, Loudmouth, Cretin Hop, Teenage Lobotomy and Sheena is a Punk Rocker, it will be the twang of the Appalachians rather than four-to-the-floor beats that Tommy brings to town.

His current outfit Uncle Monk is an indie-acoustic duo featuring Tommy Ramone on vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo and dobro, and Claudia Tienan (The Simplistics) on vocals, guitar and bass.

Uncle Monk's music is rooted in old-time and bluegrass influences, and Tommy Ramone comments that: "There is a similarity between punk and old time music, both are home brewed as opposed to schooled, both have earthy energy, and there is a certain cool in old time music that is found in the best alternative acts."

A review in the New York Times states: "There is life after the Ramones, but who knew that its sound would be bluegrass?

"Tommy Ramone plays a mean mandolin in this new acoustic duo, singing tautly written songs much like Ramones songs, but with tenderness about the comforts and subtle politics of home life."

And Time Out New York: "If we tell you that Uncle Monk is a bluegrass duo with Tommy Ramone in it, you're bound to think of something like punkgrass or bluepunk or 1, 2, 3, grass!

"But Ramone and Claudia Tienan serve it up pretty straight—and solid. There's no doubting that Ramone's protean experience informs Uncle Monk, but he's no dilettante—This stuff is real."

Uncle Tom play the Playhouse on Friday, May 7. Tickets: 11/8