Welcome to the new SurfGuitar101.com! This format was launched on February 25, 2006.
This site combines my love for all things computer geekery and my other passion: instrumental surf music. I hope this site is useful for both surf fans and musicians, as it offers the following:
Users can submit news, show announcements, show reports, reviews, etc. These stories can then be ranked and commented on by others. These stories are then archived on this site.
Web based forum area to discuss all things related to surf music.
A database of useful links.
Surf music FAQ's.
Photos of surf bands in action.
An event calendar so people can quickly see what shows are coming up.
There are several exciting books and a DVD that every surf music fan must know about. We are very lucky these all seem to have hit about the same time.
First of all, John Blair (from Jon & The Nightriders) has just released the 4th Edition of his book The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music 1961-1965. Please check out our news story and forum thread.
Secondly, everyone should run out and grab a copy of The Pounding Surf, a combination surf music history and surf drumming instructional video. You can check out this story, this one, and this forum thread.
And finally, another new book: Pop Surf Culture Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boomby Brian Chidester and Domenic Priore. Check out the publisher's website, and you can find it on Amazon.
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Check Out Our Forums:
Join us in our forums for some lively discussions. Here are the latest forum threads with new posts:
It is with deep regret that Catch A Wave, a central NJ surf band announces the passing of our friend and bandmate, rhythm guitarist Wayne Pettersen. Wayne passed away early in the morning of Tuesday August 31 2010. Wayne was a frequent contributor to the SG101 discussions and we're certain that many knew him as "surfinreverb". Please take a moment and keep Wayne and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Ok! Been super crazy here at DE*FI industries! Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to re-schedule some dates from last week. My apologies to the promoters and clubs.
The great new is, I am making the last 12 days of this tour insane with some new surf punks on tour with me! The first guy to come on board was a real deal California surf punk by the name of Trevor Lucca! He is an 18 year old surfer from Long Beach that will be playing bass for me! Great kid! His first concert was a Dick Dale show! Speaking of the King, the next guy to help me out with this tour last minute is Dick's son Jimmy! He has been playing drums with his dad, on stage, since he was a little freakin baby! Jimmy is an amazing musician, entertainer, and I am honored that he is doing this!
Florida to New Mexico! Dates and details on my website: www.LaramieDean.com
Check out the Dick Dale billboard in Long Beach! The whole world is Dick's!
Ok, spread the word, I need tenor sax or trumpet at each gig! I am serious! Email me :
Laramie@LaramieDean.com
thanks! -LD
Posted by Brian on Monday, August 30, 2010 @ 20:00:14 CDT (26 reads)
Photos from the Instromania gigs over the weekend in Victoria, Australia. It was freezing cold here, but we managed to warm people up with some surf tunes. (Click on the picture to open the gallery in a new window. )
Posted by Brian on Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 18:35:58 CDT (45 reads)
SurfGuitar 101 forum member Ravcon, aka, The Man From RavCon, has just released his new album, Everything Is Golden. It's a guitar-based combination of Surf/Spy/Spaghetti Western music, influenced by instro/surf pioneers such as Duane Eddy, Jack Nitzsche, Dick Dale, and newer bands The Surf Coasters, Laika & The Cosmonauts and The Tremolo Beer Gut. There's also a little John Barry feel thrown in the mix, as well as a surf rock arrangement of Morricone's classic Once Upon A Time In The West theme. These latter two influences help lend Everything Is Golden a cinematic appeal that ties it in nicely with The Man From RavCon's debut release, Zombie Pimp Cowboys From Outer Space!
Everything Is Golden is available for download now at the itunes store and cdbaby.
The album will also be available for order in CD format from cdbaby soon.
The music of the surf-rock band The Insanitizers is now the main feature on the front page of music review internet site Music World Express 3000 (mwe3.com). They could have featured any CD and they chose the Insanitizers' new "Whimsical Surf." The review says "the 17 cut all instrumental CD is just the ticket to get things moving in this summer heat...The CD sounds great and the band has done a super job packaging...with excellent graphics."
The CD review is followed by a photo interview with lead guitarist Conrad Swartz, showing several unusual guitars. The music is "uptempo, lively, vigorous, energizing" and about having fun. Other band members are Ralf Palin on bass, Tim Ennis on drums, and Chad Van Dyke on guitar. This Summer the Insanitizers performed at the Hawaiian Festival and the Farmers Market, both in Vancouver, Washington. Their MySpace site is www.MySpace.com/SurfInsanitizers.
Posted by Brian on Monday, August 23, 2010 @ 18:09:02 CDT (48 reads)
Space Cossacks 2010 Reunion T-Shirts For Sale in SG101 Store
Did you get a chance to score a rare Space Cossacks 2010 reunion t-shirt yet? Well now you can! SurfGuitar101 is hosting a Paypal form for The Space Cossacks, who have a limited number of t-shirts left over from the tour.
To buy, go to the SG101 Store page, select your style and size, and click the "buy now" button. You can pay with your Paypal account, but if don't have one, no problem, you can also pay with a credit card. Again, act fast as supplies are limited!
Posted by Brian on Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 18:49:01 CDT (43 reads)
EL RAY - "CHASING RAY"
Releasing August 30th 2010 on Blackout Music
THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR WILDEST IMAGINATION
At the turn of the century, a strangely inspiring dude called Frank transformed four cute indie guys with a soft spot for love struck lyrics into dirty savvy surf instrumentalists where mums the words. Nine years, three bass players and three albums later, El Ray now releases its fourth studio album 'Chasing Ray'. Are you ready to be surfed away by the soundtrack to your wildest imagination finally being released?
A TRIBUTE TO EL KID'O
Drawing on inspiration from legendary Link Ray & Dick Dale, mixed with class acts like Pixies, Bob Hund & Sonic Youth and with a profound love for the garage scene, El Ray is more than music, it's deadly fun. 'Chasing Ray' is the band's tribute to former bass player extraordinaire, El Kid'o, who died tragically of cancer at the age of 27. With new bass player La Chiquilla in place, El Ray is once again ready to get in character and play bikinis and trunks of every cool cat in town. Ink or no ink, you're all welcome at El Ray's surf party and as the band says: 'As long as you're into surfing the genre with a twist and more than ready to venture into the night, you're a Ray'.
Posted by Brian on Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 16:08:35 CDT (115 reads)
Lost in Paradise SG101 Convention #3 Highlights Clip
Check out this really cool compilation video featuring bits and pieces of the SG101 Convention #3, August 7th, 2010 in Los Alamitos, California. Thanks Lost In Paradise folks!
Posted by Brian on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 @ 21:06:44 CDT (76 reads)
Here is the current schedule for the SurfGuitar101.com 2010 Convention at The Starting Gate in Los Alamitos on Saturday, August 7th. To keep up with changes, please monitor this forum thread.
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