Hello to all as I'm new to this site. I came here after purchasing the Madeira's new album, and I'm pleased like I was both Space Cossack albums. Being up here in Wisconsin in cow country, there isn't much to surf on here unless you get near Lake Michigan and then, maybe if you get close to a large ship. Not that I surf anyway, but it seems tough to see bands around here of this genre. I understand why artists don't seem to come here, as the gate doesn't offset costs. I have been able to see Dick Dale 3 times, the Mermen 2 times, and Los Straitjackets about a dozen times. I also seen the Exotics about 3 times, and the Reverend Horton Heat (I know it's psychobilly) twice. Many times artist come through and I don't know about it, as there are so many I like, and I don't check up on them because quite a few broke up. I was pleasantly surprised Mr. Pongracic had a new band, as I e'mailed him years ago saying he was going to grad school. I guess also much of my surf stuff is from 1995-2001 (and the older stuff) so I haven't really heard as much of the newer bands either (something I should take the time to do) . In short, are there any surf concert sites so I don't have to rattle my brain when I miss something? Pollstar is nice, but with shows all muddled together it gets tiresome after a while. Thanks for any answers.

Hey Empty Glass, welcome to sg101.

I say your best bet is here on SG101, there is a Calender here.
and also keep an eye on the news items on the front page, or the General discussion area, and you might see some shows in the Mis west.
there are some, you might have to drive 100 to 400 miles though.

there is a web site that has some dates on it.
But its for Nor. Cal. and So. Cal. only.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Hi EmptyGlass;

Ivan of the Madeira/Space Cossacks here. Nice to see you join SG101, it's the best. As the others said, check out the calendar on the front page of this website. If you're willing to drive to Chicago, the Cocktail Preachers and the Reluctant Aquanauts perform there quite often, and they're both great. There was a big shindig in June in Champaign, IL called the Atomic Frolic with the Madeira and a few other bands you would have enjoyed. About once or twice a year the Madeira plays a show with the Cocktail Preachers in Chicago as well. This past May we were joined by Detroit's own, the brilliant Volcanos. If you feel like driving to Detroit, you might be able to catch them live, or at least one of their many alter egos. And finally, we play in Indianapolis quite often, though that's probably too long of a drive.

Oh, and keep an eye out for a Chicago mini-festival called Exotica. In 2003 the Cocktail Preachers, the Volcanos and my old Shadows-tribute band the Troubadours played. Then in 2005 Los Straitjackets headlined with the Cocktail Preachers, the Exotics, the Madeira and the mighty Nebulas (all the way from Boston!) on the bill! If they do it every two years, there should be another Exotica the summer of '07.

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: Nov 30, 2006 08:02:07

Thank you Ivan and I say you do exceptional work. I was sad to never see you and the rest of the Space Cossacks, as I think I have about everthing you fellas put out. I was happy to see you have a new band, and I enjoyed the Madeira album immensely. To see you guys I would strongly consider driving to Indy.

As for Brian, I've been through much of northeastern Iowa and it doesn't appear to be much surf there. Maybe you could snowboard on those hills by the Mississippi, but that's about it. Where part of Iowa are you from? The mill by Cedar Rapids smells gnarly. Iowa City was nice and I stayed a few nights in Des Moines and Ames. The drive from Waterloo to Fort Dodge seemed more desolate than here in eastern Wisconsin (Oshkosh area) where I live.

I guess Iowa is known for it's corn and Wisconsin for its dairy farming and cows. I don't know if cows like surf music, but I could play some to a few to see if they swing their tails to it.

emptyglass -

It is true there is not much surf in Iowa. In the 90's Pulp Fiction boom we had a band called the Del-Stars out of Des Moines. Right now we have a psychobilly-surf band called The One Night Standards that are very entertaining live. And of course we get Dick Dale and Los Straitjackets coming through here occasionally. However, if you are willing to travel somewhat, you can see some good shows in the Midwest. A couple times a year I make long trips to Chicago and Indianapolis. I have to hand it to Chicago's Cocktail Preachers, Indy's Madeira, and Detroit's Volcanos for doing shows together. I will drive for those. Ivan already mentioned the highlights (Exotica 2005 was killer). The Surge from Atlanta has played in Indy too.

And I also believe you should try to make a long distance show at least once a year, assuming you have the finances to do it. I've made trips out to the West Coast to see the Surf Coasters and last year saw Satan's Pilgrims in Seattle and Portland. It's fun meeting people from this group in real life.

I live in the Cedar Rapids area. Hopefully I'll see you sometime at a show!

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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The Fathoms are playing out again, but it is basically Frankie with all new band members from what I have heard.

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