Razors and Rockabilly

Adam Hedgespeth, right, cut Jay Wesley's hair at Derby City Chop Shop. (Credit: Michael Clevenger)

On a recent afternoon at the new Derby City Chop Shop on Bardstown Road, Brandon Amos delicately shaved Mark Roberts’ head with a straight razor.

“This is probably the most vulnerable position I’ve ever put myself in,” says Roberts, keeping as still as he can while Amos continues his work. In the background, the raw, punk sound of Radio Birdman booms from the 1961 Seburg jukebox. “I’ve always wanted a classic, old-timey straight razor shave.”

Now, Roberts and other Louisville guys craving classic service like straight-razor shaves in a cool, comfortable environment can stroll into barber Adam Hedgespeth’s cutting-edge shop.

“I definitely like the old-school trade aspect of it,” says Hedgespeth, a graduate of Louisville’s Tri-City Barber College who has been cutting hair for five years.

That was part of the inspiration for his dream shop. His goal was to create a place mixing old school and new school, with a rock ’n’ roll edge; a shop he and his stylists would enjoy as much as his clients.

The décor, including a huge poster of Johnny Cash by the bathrooms, photos of hot rods on the walls and old-fashioned swirling barber pole, create a sleek balance. Hedgespeth has stocked the shop with products from Ritual and Sharps, and the exterior boasts “haircuts as big as your head,” since the Chop Shop is next door to La Bamba, home of “Burritos as big as your head.”

 So far, word of mouth has provided most of the clients. The Chop Shop guys have been handing out flyers at music shows and on the street, and doing other unconventional advertising. For the grand opening, quirky musician Pokey LaFarge played in the shop. Hedgespeth hopes to get more musicians in the space for intimate concerts and he’s also considering art shows.

Providing a perfect setting for camaraderie is also an aim. Hedgespeth said he would love to provide a second home for a group of chatty old guys talking about boxing and other characteristically male things like the clique at the My T Sharp barbershop in “Coming To America.”

Roberts definitely feels at home. This is the second time the small business owner and East End resident has been pampered at the Chop Shop. He was sold just minutes after he sat down in one of the glossy red-and-white retro naugahyde chairs. He recalls that right after he walked in, Hedgespeth asked him what he would like for background music. When Roberts mentioned The Murder City Devils, Hedgespeth instantly cranked it up for him.

Roberts was sold.

 “Within the first five minutes, I’m thinking, ‘I just walked into a barbershop to get a straight-razor shave and I’m listening to one of my favorite bands,’ ” Roberts says. “How often does that happen?”

The jukebox also reflects the shop’s eclectic style. It’s a random smorgasbord of songs from Bing Crosby, The Strokes and The Replacements. Services at the Chop Shop, 1233 Bardstown Road, range from $15 for a haircut or a straight-razor shave to $5 (and up) for a beard trim. A boot shine will cost you $10.

Next to Roberts, Jay Wesley, a welder from New Albany, is getting his pompadour perfected by Hedgespeth. With an electric razor and a comb, Hedgespeth attends to the classic cut. Hedgespeth didn’t wash Wesley’s greased hair before the cut, explaining “I can sculpt it better with the grease.”

Wesley is thankful for Hedgespeth’s skills. “He can do the old-style haircuts,” Wesley says, adding that chain barbershops don’t always know how to treat his pompadour.

Meanwhile, Amos is still working on Roberts’ head.

“You don’t want to whiz around someone’s head too fast with a straight razor,” Amos says.

Despite his diligence, Amos says cutting at the Chop Shop doesn’t feel at all like work.

 “I’m just hanging out with cool people and listening to cool music all day,” he says.