Your Mama and Papa always told you to stay away from strange men, especially those who wore leather outfits in public. According to them, these strangers were prime qualifiers for the Neighborhood Watch’s registry of dubious citizens. Truth is, your parents were probably worthier of a re-education than those they shunned.

James Intveld, roots-rocker and greaser supreme, pulls off the leather look so well that he could make Mommy suspend her godliness. He’s upright, too, with a true love for his craft, though he’s somewhat under-recognized in North America. Still, he has a number of claims to fame, from playing with Dwight Yoakam and The Blasters to singing the part of Johnny Depp’s character in Cry-Baby. Now on tour for his third solo effort, Have Faith, Intveld’s back to mete out his personal brew of twangy guitars, rockabilly, and gospel.