Band Bios:
In 1995 all small venues in Montevideo (Uruguay) were forced to suspend live rock shows due to new sound limiting city laws, most bands decided to adopt acoustic performances. Because of their accelerated punk repertoire, The Supersonicos (Spanish for Jetsons) decided to try those less loud cover versions of Ventures and Shadows which amused them during rehearsals. Soon they developed a large set of instrumental songs of their own. Their interest lasted longer than the authorities interest on the observing of the "noise" restricting edict. It was too late: the Supersonicos cranked up the volume again, but were already caught in the instrumental sea. The band now awaits the 1998 release of their new record Irrupcion en el Cosmos.
THE MILL VALLEY TATERS - This cool Connecticut band puts out more releases than you could ever imagine. The band's instrumental surf music is always well connected and tight. A lot of bands could learn from the amount of success that the Mill Valley Taters have had, based simply on releasing their own cassettes.
From Groningen come The Waistcoats, Holland’s most important current surf and beat combo. Since the band formed in late 1993, they have been performing an explosive mixture they call maximum kinky surfbeat. Their inspiration comes from English beat music, American instrumental surf and rock'n roll and garage rock from the 60's and 80's and 90's punk music.
From the coast of Spain comes Da Surfones, playing instamental surf sounds in classic 50’s style. When the band formed in 1995 they incorporated vocals but have since decided to let the music spaek for itself. The name in their native Catalana (not Spanish) means “waves”. "Surfin' en el ruedo" (Surfin' in the bullfighting arena) Aplausos
Captain Bigwheel is a surf rock 'n' roll band from Indiana, Pennsylvania specializes in exciting, energetic! and ecstatic! Live performances and guitar-driven instrumentals that are accompanied by quick, thrusting surf beats but do not hesitate to add vocals to some of the tunes in the repertoire. The band presents their music with style, class and rock 'n' roll attitude, reflective in their slick choice of wardrobe and swingin', kinetic stage
presence.
Thrill to the surf-beat sounds of The Vibro Counts' authentic mix of tunes any boss South Bay band would play at the dance after Friday-night's game. Capture the sun-drenched sounds of California beach music: staccato-picked guitars played through springy reverb with the rush of tremolo-soaked chords and you’ve found this band.
The Swamp Donkeys are a modern Surf experience/Power punk trio that will stop at nothing to entertain and intoxicate the listening audience. With a wide variety of songs and an intense live performance, the Swamp Donkeys are out to push the Salt Lake city music scene into new and exciting places. Now you may say "What the hell are you talking about? Surfers? From Utah???" In which case it's plain to see that you have not experienced the incredible Wasatch Mountains, home of the most unforgiving & dreamy frozen surf on the planet! And you can bet that if the Swamp Donkeys aren't doing a gig, they're hitting that wild frozen wave. "You wont find better surfpunk in the nation........Period!" S.L. City Weekly
A college band from Groningen, the Netherlands The Lonely Knights formed to play surf, garage and beat music from the 60's, have fun generally and increase our social skills. Their live show consists of some original material and covers of the Remains, the Sonics and the Wailers among others.
Picture an instrumental combo, circa 1963. Twangy guitars and a wild beat propelling the action at a crowded go-go club, or the soundtrack to any beach party or hot rod movie of that era. You begin to get the idea and it is in this tradition that The Exotics' sound was born. Since the release of their first 7" vinyl EP in 1995, this Midwest-based band has forged a solid following. Based on the strength of their energetic, entertaining stage show and sharp appearance, The Exotics have played many well-received shows from Minneapolis to Chicago, from St. Louis to New York and many cities in between. The Exotics recently released their debut CD, Go Go Guitars, on their own label, Tiki Tone Records.
Hailing from the great Northwest, Call Me Pepe is a powerful surf band with a classic Feel and a terrific style all their own. Their music is able to reach even the most devoted of Vocal music listeners and bring them around to the sonic instrumental wave that is known as surf, and to it's kickenest proponents.
Los Angeles' BRAZIL 2001 is a "Salt-Water-Damaged" power trio. The band draws its name from the films ‘Brazil and '2001: A Space Odyssey' and admits to a humored homage in the direction of Brazil '66. The sound is of rock and surf music flavors; guitar feedback and jazzy elements mixed with thrashy metallic edges. "Brazil 2001 hangs five in the reverb--soaked tradition of 6Os surf. music. But where the other foot goes is unpredictable." Los Angeles Times "An unholy collaboration between Frank Zappa and Mike Love [Beach Boys] LA Weekly
Montreal's a tough town for surfers. The biggest waves to be found come from the wakes of passing freighters on the St. Lawrence, and icebergs are more of a threat than shark attack. Realizing the futility of pursuing the big wave sport at the local break, four desperate hodads found solace in the crashing reverb and pounding drums of instrumental surf music. In September 1995 Los Mel- tones! were formed! “Los Mel-tones! deliver everything you would expect from a genre that still packs clubs tighter than Mitsou's bra.”
Montreal Hour “Wow! The first time I heard this CD, it knocked my socks off.” SURF MUSIC U.S.A
SLACKTONE! High velocity, and super reverbed! This stuff is waxed and ready to drive you all the way to your favorite break. They have been providing the music heard on the Slim Jim Extreme Sports commercials for the last two years, and was also hired by MTV as the house band for their 1998 Rock n Jock Party. Check out their self titled debut CD on SoCal's GO BOY RECORDS. SLACKTONE was voted ‘Best Self Produced Album of the Year’ by Surf Music USA. “Slacktone immediately stands out.” Jim Dunfrund. KXLU Radio “the tightest, most intense surf I’ve heard” Cowabunga!
Indiana, nursing bad hangovers and cursing our bad luck. We had just seen Dick Dale play at the Cubby Bear in Chicago the previous evening (if you haven't seen Dick Dale at the Cubby Bear, you haven't seen Dick Dale). We are on our way to a show in Cleveland when the car shit the bed. 3:05 PM: Two burning questions are answered: 1) Does God exist? And 2) Does He spend much time in lndiana? Dick Dale’s Winnebego pulls into the rest stop. Thus, surf band formed. A lot has happened since the Chicago trip. The Balboas (the name is taken from a town in California that was the home of Dale and one time name of his Record company) debuted at Karl’s Elbow Grill in Kenmore, Ohio where the enjoyed a brief stint as the house band. This year the Balboas recorded their first CD, "Heavy surf Advisory", at Big Adventure studio in Akron, Ohio
Not the Aqua Velvets, not the Aquabats, it’s The Aquamen! Throw in countless surf compilations, a pinch of what made the Kinks sassy and some of the Hi-Fives' reckless abandon, and you come pretty close to the Aquamens sound. The Aquamen are a perfect party band; you could see their croud whooping and hollering to a sound track for a demented Frankie and Annette movie. The San Francisco band fell off the wagon of traditional surf music long ago. They stagger around stage in suits, striking metal poses, yowling in staccato outbursts. Their unique blend of spastic surf “intoxica” channels the spirits of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Man... or Astroman and Dean Martin in a boozy seance. “The Aquamen bring out the happy drunk in all of us.” San Jose Metro
Who says surf and Santa don’t go together? Heralding from Halifax, Canada’s East Coast instro-sensations, Urban Surf Kings, have created a surf scene over the last two years in a city where surf only happens at the beach. By playing anywhere and everywhere, being different and entertaining as hell, the band has assembled a loyal following, gaining themselves a big slice of the popularity pie. “this is one great band." MUCH MUSIC "URBAN SURF KINGS have come up with their own brand of happy feet bop." Flipside magazine
The center of the country is not exactly where you’d expect to find the high quality surf sounds of Glamour Puss, but wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly where this trio is from, Kansas City. While traditional enough to keep the purists pleased and modernistic enough to maintain a contemporary feel, this threesome impressively blazes through reverb-washed instrumentals. Over the past year the band has shared the stage with such notables as; The Mermen, The Meteors, Man or Astroman, and the god of surf rock himself Dick Dale.
The Redliners were formed in January '97 and are the result of individual musicians pursuits over the preceding eight years within the Melbourne Blues community. The style of the songs they select for their live shows have a 195O’s flavor. Ranging from Blues to R & B, they deliver these songs in an emotional and traditional manner. The Redliners consist of five guys with a common goal, to rejuvenate blues music by presenting it to a mainstream audience. The combined efforts of The Redliners have enabled them to attain a distinctive sound. They generate a vitality on stage that gets bodies on the dance floor, something that elder statesmen of the blues and rock scene have difficulty in achieving. “ a visual and audio splash of 50s flash.” The Age “a rare ability to please young fans and traditionalists - This band is hot.” Rhythms
Dirk Doom and the Overdrive Orchestra dragging surf music kicking and screaming into the Digital Age. A twisted amalgamation of surf guitar, loud punk-metal guitar, synthetic bass, and neo-lo-fi techno rhythms. "They sound like a surf version of the Revolting Cocks. That's gotta be good for ya." - Eddie Hodad, The Hollowgrinders
An original band from Lancaster, Pa. The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns started playing their combination of Alternative, Punk, Ska, Surf and Psychobilly in January ’95. In ’96 they released their first CD “Whip It Up” and have been touring the North East ever since. They have opened for such notable acts as Goo Goo Dolls, Deep Blue Something and Jewel. But no matter where they go, they always play full out.
The Bone Sharks from Southern California formed in January of '96. “Great Trad Surf for those looking for it.” Surf Music U.S.A. “excellent and infectious” Phil Dirt
Mix together unequal parts of Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Clash and 45 Grave and you get Plank, a trio that plays power surf/garage rock.. From Seattle Washington this band provides an unusual blend of sounds that add up to their own unique brand of surf rock. Plank's music creates the same kind of vibe you get riding your snowboard through a foot of fresh. It is a smooth, yet powerful, and sometimes jagged adrenaline rush. You are never quite sure what to expect next. Plank is about having fun and not taking life too seriously. Listen to their music, then go out and ride your favorite plank. “This is evil storm surf closing out overhead, threatening life itself.” Phil Dirt
Jonny and the Shamen are actually ex-bomb squad experts that have served ten years a piece in an unknown secret agency in London. They are currently working in the top secret confines of the US where they are using there James Bond meets Devo sound to execute thier devious plans. |
