“Smokey Elvis and Danzick Battle Swamp Ass” is a rollicking novella that takes readers on a madcap adventure through the quirky world of Southern trailer parks and the music venues attached to them. Released in the waning days of 2023, Lance Loot’s latest work is a delightful romp filled with humor, heart, and a healthy dose of the bizarre.
The story centers around Smokey Elvis, a 60-year-old black Elvis impersonator whose electrifying performances captivate audiences despite his unconventional venues. Fans of Loot’s previous work, “Scrapyard Shuffle,” will recognize Smokey from his days at the scrapyard with his buddies Wyatt and Jose. In this novella, Smokey decides to live his dream and trade in his work gloves for a sequined jumpsuit as he entertains crowds at trailer parks and honky-tonks across Florida.
Loot’s prose brings Smokey to life in vivid detail, making readers wish they could join in the sweaty dance parties that follow his performances. But Smokey’s world gets even more interesting when he crosses paths with Danzick, a Misfits cover artist with a preposterous hairline and musical talent to match Smokey’s own. Their polar opposite personalities and generational separation clash, setting the stage for a showdown unlike any other.
The titular antagonist, Swamp Ass, adds an extra layer of absurdity to the story. Halfway through the novella, this fecal fiend makes a dramatic entrance, demanding that Smokey prove his worth or face a gruesome fate. While the origins of Swamp Ass remain a mystery, his grotesque presence creates a sense of chaos and hilarity that define the remainder of the work. His appearance sets the plot whirling out of control in a way that we found absolutely delightful.
Fans of Tim Dorsey’s Serge Storms novels will find echoes of that same irreverent humor and offbeat charm in “Smokey Elvis and Danzick Battle Swamp Ass.” Like Dorsey’s work, Loot’s novella celebrates the colorful characters and eccentricities of Southern culture while also showcasing darker and more violent scenes. It’s hard not to think about “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” as Smokey and Danzick play their hearts out with their lives on the line.
Without giving away too much, it’s safe to say that the ending of “Smokey Elvis and Danzick Battle Swamp Ass” leaves readers eagerly anticipating what comes next for Smokey and his eclectic cast of characters. Loot’s writing is engaging, hilarious, and at times downright disgusting, but it’s impossible to put down. Whether you’re a fan of Southern fiction, comedy, or just a good old-fashioned adventure, this novella is sure to entertain.
“Smokey Elvis and Danzick Battle Swamp Ass” is a blast to read from start to finish. Lance Loot’s storytelling prowess shines through in every page, leaving readers hungry for more. We can only hope that this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Smokey and company, and eagerly await whatever wild ride Loot has in store for us next.
Stan Dirkson
