IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10320
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 03:04 PM
I just saw that one of the great Euro surf bands of all time has called it a day and played their final show a month ago. That makes me very sad.
Fifty Foot Combo were amazing. Unfortunately, they abandoned surf music a few years ago and moved to a more lounge/seventies/garage direction. But the surf stuff they left is invaluable. Their surf discography was:
"Go Hunting!" (Zebraah Records, Belgium, 1997)
"Go Hunting!" (MuSick, USA, 1999)
"Evil A Go-Go" (2000)
"Strike! The Early Years 1994-2000" (Drunkabilly Records, Belgium, 2000)
"Caffeine" (Drunkabilly Records, Belgium, 2002)
"Go Hunting" was a respectable debut, though not amazing. Still, it had several fantastic highlights, including "It's Alive", "The Brain From Planet X" and the awesome Atlantics' cover "Dimitrius".
They really hit their stride with their sophomore effort, "Evil A Go-Go". I love this album! I got a copy of it from Warren AKA Captain Springfield recently, and was just blown away. This was the missing link in the Fifty Foot Combo story - and what a missing link! "Evil A Go-Go" was their surfiest effort, but still featured heavy organ & garage and exotica/jungle influences (coming from a full-time percussionist) on top of the reverbed guitars and wild drums. For anybody that loves the Bomboras, this is a must. The album was almost impossible to find, since it was made in very small quantity and released on a small, obscure label that owns the original recordings and isn't interested in reissuing it. BUT! It can now be downloaded for free right here!! Go do it now!! Before it's gone!!
"Strike" was a compilation of all the Fifty Foot Combo stray material - unreleased early recordings, singles, comp-only tracks, etc. It had some awesome moments, in particular IMHO one of the best surf tracks ever: "SL 54 Automatic". Pure brilliance. "Evil Walks In" was also probably one of the spookiest, most evil surf tracks I have ever heard. But there were many more.
Finally, on "Caffeine" they started moving in other, non-surf directions, though they were able to still knock out the incredible "tripleXpresso", the awesome "Bali Hai" (in the style of the Irredescents sixties version), and a supremely moody "Le Dimance Matin". But it proved to be their surf swan song. They had one or two more releases after "Caffeine" which were entirely surf-free. I had hoped that one day they would return to surf, but alas it was not to be.
Anyway, go download "Evil A Go-Go" and revel in the glory that was Fifty Foot Combo.
Fifty Foot Combo
1994-2006
RIP
Ivan
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
Last edited: Dec 29, 2006 15:31:02
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25309
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 03:10 PM
Very Sad news, but as you said, they had gone astray awhile back.
I had got Caffine, and the Live album, and was very disappointed.
I can handle up beat gargey music if it still retains the reverb, but it was as dry as a bone, and very gritty and harsh sounding.
thanks for the info though Ivan.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19194
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 03:53 PM
'Go-Hunting' is a favorite of mine. I'll be sure and pick up those other releases too. I'm not a big fan of downloading music, but it seems to be the only option for 'Evil A Go-Go'.
Agree on SL 54 Automatic...killer track!!!
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 03:59 PM
I remember the first time I heard "Go Hunting" - it was the first trip to SoCal for the Lava Rats back in December of... '02 I think.
We swung by GoBoy records on our way home just to pick up some surf CDs, and Kenan bought the last copy of "Go Hunting". We didn't know a thing about it, but luckily BTD was there to give it a thumbs up.
We tossed it in on the car stereo about an hour later, and I was floored. That would probably crack my top 10 or 15 modern releases. I downloaded "Evil A Go-Go" today, and am starting to work my way through it, and am impressed by it just as much.
~B~
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25309
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 04:46 PM
Can somebody either make me a copy of that download, or contact me off lit, and help walk me thru the downloading process.
I've clicked on the link a couple of times, But I see all this info, I have no idea what it means.
thanks,
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19194
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 05:32 PM
You have to enter the code it displays in the little box, then click the download button. It took me two tries. It makes you wait for a while, then it downloads a big zip file to your computer. Inside the zip files are a bunch of mp3's. Let me know if you still need help.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 05:34 PM
Hey Jeff,
Go straight to this page. Near the top right-hand corner there's a box where you need to enter a 3 character code and then click the "download" button right next to it.
It's a big file...
— Don
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25309
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 08:19 PM
thanks guys, I'll see if I can have my brother walk me thru it.
the hardest part for me will probably be transfering it to a cdr.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1313
Escondido, CA
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Posted on Dec 29 2006 09:50 PM
Jeff, I already downloaded it and was planning to give you a copy soon, so don't worry about it. It was supposed to be a surprise.
Ran
— The Scimitars
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Joelman
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1472
Redlands, CA
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 12:16 AM
Yikes! 
Three hours to download at my 56k
I'll try later when I have more time. 
Joel
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surfraptor
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: 336
near Amsterdam
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 07:18 AM
They were damn good!
Live shows were awesome. Heard stories and seen pics...
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ElMonstroPorFavor
Joined: Sep 01, 2006
Posts: 2673
New Orleans, LA
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 01:20 PM
I only found out about them because I was ordering about 6 surf albums from somebody (he just put surf next to them so I thought "Well OK") and Go Hunting was in there. Great band.
— Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio
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Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 02:19 PM
I am a big fan of 50 Foot Combo too. Love the band and play them often on the show (in fact, we played "Drums A Go Go" the other night"). I have "Go Hunting" and "Strike", but do not have "Evil A Go-Go". I am going to start downloading now! Thanks Ivan!
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 03:55 PM
surfraptor
They were damn good!
Live shows were awesome. Heard stories and seen pics...
.. and been there too! yes they kick ass. it's one of those bands where it actually stops mattering (???) whether you like their music just so so or totally 110%, 'cause the concert just transcends the music. mindblowing performences!
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10320
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 30 2006 07:36 PM
WR
.. and been there too! yes they kick ass. it's one of those bands where it actually stops mattering (???) whether you like their music just so so or totally 110%, 'cause the concert just transcends the music. mindblowing performences!
So, Wannes, what made the show so good? Can you try to capture the experience for us?
Ivan
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Jan 03 2007 04:11 PM
IvanP
So, Wannes, what made the show so good? Can you try to capture the experience for us?
Ivan
a couple of things. first, SURF TSUNAMI!!!! really, they have (had) such a powerful massive live sound. I know in technical terms i should say stuff like all frequencies filled up, compressed and loud, but what it feels like is MASSIVE. HUGE. ENORMOUS. like a punch in the face. from all the bands I saw live, only the mofo's and the coffin daggers had such massive sound, and both in a different way. 50ft was just ... more creamy. secondly, great showmen (M/F) they'd been playin for quite a while when I saw them first, so experienced, but also the personalities to get up there and do it, with humor and attitude. much more then just playing music, really putting up a show. that means something to look at, as well as communicating with the audience. I think I saw them two or three times, alsways full room, always a party.
and besides,
image
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10320
southern Michigan
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Posted on Jan 03 2007 09:22 PM
Thanks, Wannes, for that. What did they do visually that made them fun? I'm curious about these things....
So, folks, nobody has any comments about "Evil A Go-Go"? You get to download for free a lost classic and nothing??  
Well, I think it's freakin' brilliant!!
Ivan
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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pointbreakspy
Joined: Aug 24, 2006
Posts: 204
Newcastle... Australia
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Posted on Jan 04 2007 10:32 PM
yeah Ivan...i downloaded it a couple of weeks ago, been getting high rotation on my mp3 player...pretty powerfull sounding record!
adam
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surfraptor
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: 336
near Amsterdam
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Posted on Jan 05 2007 04:33 AM
IvanP
So, folks, nobody has any comments about "Evil A Go-Go"? You get to download for free a lost classic and nothing??
Well, I
think it's freakin' brilliant!!
Ivan
If I didn't own it already I would have thanked you big time!!!
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Jan 07 2007 07:00 AM
IvanP
Thanks, Wannes, for that. What did they do visually that made them fun? I'm curious about these things....
Ivan
a true live band.. kinda hard to explain, not "something" they did really. This is highly personal preference, but here goes. As far as visual appearance goes, there's a couple of ways to go, i.e., uniform (nebs with bowling shirts- look), schtick (meshuggas, nebs with startrek uniforms), Cali casual look (jeans and T's, Pollo.), hawaiian shirts. and what I personally like best, is everyone dressed in a partcular style, but not necessarily unform. 50ft combo looked all the way garage, like right out of the late 60's, but without being 'dressed up'. I guess it's kind of, the visual just fits, there's nothing disturbing or distracting about what you're looking at, neither in the sense of too theatrical nor in the sense they 'don't look the music.'
more importandly, though, it's stage behaviour. Spontanious (no 'learned' trick or poses), confident (using the entire stage, walking around, looking at gesturing at the audience etc) humorous ('posing' with obvious tongue in cheeck intentions) as well as 'raw arrogant rockstar mentality' (posing, guitar in the air, sometimes tongue in cheeck, sometimes not)
bottomline I think is that it all came naturally (or at least that's what it looked like), and it fit the music. on all these things, there's not really a recipe. I mean, the Nebula's look awesome in the skull mask, but part of that is the sort of distanced, over-serious attitude they take with it (when I saw them that is) which gave it a weird detached vibe, cool with that music. it would have been awkward though if they started making jokes inbetween songs, doesn't fit the music. For the Bolboas on the other hand (completly a dressed up band) the joking worked perfectly, as for the Tijuana Bibles when I last saw them, who als do a totally covincing 'boys will be boys dirty words wanna see my dick foot on the monitor' thing - which would be ridiculous for Pollo, just as dressing up in tiger-skins and straw skirts and drumming with bones as sticks would be for Pollo - but it works nicely for the TikiTikiBamboos with the entire "Jawaiian' act. I saw Jeff Conolly with the Lyres live, it would have sucked if he had NOT been a complete arrogant prick on stage.
in the end, i like it if it fits the music, and if a band looks comfortable on stage. and 50ft combo jst knew how to 'build a party' I guess.
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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