The Radio Rhythm Makers is Salt Lake's looking glass to a time when rock 'n' roll was played on record players in the form of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis.

"The '50s was when music and rock 'n' roll really got going, so it seems like everyone likes to look back on the old stuff to make new songs and sounds," says the band in an e-mail interview.

The six-piece rockabilly group reinvents the wheel through tunes bouncy enough to make anyone stop, bop and jive, and lead vocalist Ashlie's authentic, power-soul/blues voice makes Duffy pale in comparison. You can hear their '50s flashback music on the three demos the band has released over their two years together, as well as on an upcoming album for which they've yet to set a release date. Read the following Q&A to find out more.

What's the fascination with '50s music and style? It was really original, from the outfits, to the music, to the hair! For women, it's classy and beautiful; for the guys, it's just rough and tough, and those boys sure like to look at the pretty girls!

Tell me why you're playing the Cancer Sucks benefit concert. Cancer has personally touched our families; also a family friend is putting it together so we thought anything we could do to help at this event would be great. There will be great gifts given away for a great cause! It's open to the public and everyone is welcome. It would be a riot if we could fill to over capacity!

You often perform with local songstress Kate LeDeuce. Why is that? She plays music from an era where there was still soul in music. It has the same feeling as the music we play. She is one of the raddest, baddest ladies we know. People recognize the raw sound and love to dance to it. It gets everyone in the same group together!

What secret talent do you have of which not many are aware? Some of Spence's earrings shoot laser blasts. Other than that. You must be in the group! date us to find out!

What does it take to produce that look that the perfect blend of rocker and cool-'50s-cat? A lot of hairspray, and a bunch of makeup! We just shop at the thrift stores and come up with our own stuff. Or just watch every episode of "Happy Days" and take notes (mostly from Fonz). -- Ashlie

If you could bring one thing back from the '50s, what would it be? Elvis doesn't count. We'd be down for some Marty Mcfly; kind of a little joke for us. The hair is just amazing. More drive-in's. Happiness. And the tax bracket.

For Ashlie: How do you handle the throngs of male groupies willing themselves at you at every show? Are there throngs!? I get a few funny comments. I love to chat everyone up after the show, sign stuff and whatnot so I don't mind. I've got five boys watching my back so if it gets crazy, we run! Jon, too, has throngs of thong-ed male groupies. We don't like to talk about it.

What's your opinion on what Rhythm & Blues used to be (Little Richard, Louis Jordan) to what it is now (Britney Spears, Usher)? The term Rhythm & Blues has definitely changed. To me, there is Rhythm & Blues and there is R&B. Rhythm & Blues has soul and feeling to it. They either make you really happy and feel like dancing, or they make you horribly depressed and feel like grabbing a bottle of whiskey. R&B is, well, it's silly and ironic that the computerized cut 'n' paste dance-pop is now called R&B.

What's the most un-musician thing about you? Most of us are college-educated and own businesses or hold down great jobs. It is like a double life at the moment. Some of us even wake up before 9 a.m. every day!

Vice of choice? You trying to get us in some trouble? I 'm not saying any more than Del Taco, but if you give it to us, we will drink it... -- Ashlie

MORE SHOWS:

Live show with The Henchman

When: Apr. 25 at 9 p.m.

Where: Burts Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State St. in Salt Lake City

Tickets: See myspace.com/theradiorhythmmakers