By Bob Makin
originally published: 03/13/2026
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Suicide Doors,” a recent single by the Jersey Shore rockabilly trio Billy Penn & the Inside Drivers. PHOTO COURTESY OF INSIDE DRIVERS
Jersey Shore rockabilly trio Billy Penn & the Inside Drivers released the single “Suicide Doors” on Jan. 8, the birthday of Elvis Presley, one of the band’s biggest influences.
“Suicide Doors” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Suicide Doors” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on March 13 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
Billy Penn & the Inside Drivers have been stirring up the music scene with an old school approach to brand new music. The high-energy rockabilly power trio – featuring frontman Billy Penn on guitar, Alan Gowa on bass and backing vocals, and Dewey Corvair on drums and backing vocals – delivers a gritty, authentic take on vintage rock ’n’ roll.
Known for their electrifying live shows, The Inside Drivers pay tribute to rock ’n’ roll pioneers. In addition to Elvis, they include Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. Meanwhile, they seamlessly mix in original tracks that capture the spirit of the era.
Taking social media by storm, “Suicide Doors” was revealed in a dream, Billy said.
“I woke up around 3 a.m. with the lyrics in my head and I couldn’t write it down fast enough,” he said.
After maniacally scribbling down the lyrics, Billy fully awoke to discover he had written an entire tune, which he jokingly calls “The Devil Song.”
He explained, “I still have absolutely no recollection of writing these lyrics down, which is kind of scary but also exhilarating.”
The trio recorded “Suicide Doors” at Shorefire Studios in Long Branch, where it was engineered by Joe Demaio and Colie Brice.
In true rockabilly fashion, the Inside Drivers drop a B-side single for every release. The B-side to “Suicide Doors” is, fittingly, the uplifting gospel tune, “Miss That Train,” which cancels out the darkness with some gorgeous three-part harmonies.
These songs were designed to be listened to live, so catch Billy Penn & the Inside Drivers March 22 at Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton with Jack Mangan Band.
Listen to Suicide Doors on Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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