April Birthdays 
Moments of Truth EP by West Samoa Surfer League – Review by Noel
One comment I hear sometimes from musicians is that they wish their recording sounded as exciting as their live performances. This is not one of those records. It’s not just that I’m playing it very loud (empty house). I’ve done that before without the same results. This is different, like playing a Stratocaster with its’ volume on 10. It becomes like a living thing. The EP has a very dynamic sound, the way a band sounds when they can turn all their gear up to 10 and play as hard as they want. This record has that feeling. That energy is also part of the performances recorded here. This is aggressive surf music. I like it.
I asked Falko some questions about the recording and production of Moments of Truth, and this is what he told me. “We recorded live in our reheasal room. We leave all Bass and drums and (some) rhythm guitar tracks. The remaining guitars are overdubbed. Torsten played them in his garage - that´s why we´re a Garage Band. However, gear: drums - Gretsch Catalina jazzkit from 2011, bass - Fender Precision, Amp - Dynacord Imperator - a German end 60s hybrid - cabinet "Vox" Foundation 1x 18" from 1962. Guitars: Jag and JM (Japan) - Amp - from an Amp Builder nearby, 2x10", tube - Torsten´s self constucted Reverb Tank - Effectboard (Overdrive, Tremolo etc.). Mix: Did the same guy as the SPACE RANGERS (Butch Mezger). Mastering: the same guy as the SPACE RANGERS too (Eroc). Never change a winning team.”
Right from the beginning of the first tune, Moment of Truth, it rawked my house. Falko told me, “… it's a whole bit rougher than the SPACE RANGERS stuff. Well, Torsten comes from Punk Rock...” This is traditional surf music played take no prisoners-style. Whew! No rest for the weary. The drums never let up their driving beat, the bass is fast and seems to be begging the drums for more. The guitar playing? My right arm got tired just listening. The performances are top-notch, their interplay is alive.
And then comes What Would Takeshi Kovacs Do? Like Eleki? I do. They nail it down and it doesn’t get away. The crunchy muted glissandos here are instantly recognizable and the tone of the guitars are spot-on. Catchy tune, infectious playing, perfect sound. Great!
A bit of relief comes in the form of the slower Point Zero. But the melody and mood contain undeniable menace. But at least I don’t have to jump around the room dancing to it. Did I mention how danceable the previous tunes are? Do you know how difficult it is to type while dancing? Irresistible. Anyway, back to Point Zero. Deep tremolo on one guitar, drippy reverb on the other. Edgy noir surf. Really cool.
So is Pintor which adds something latinish in the bass rhythm to the noir feeling. It and the remaining tracks, Sringer and Point Zero Reprise, continue the slower surf-noir feeling. Not as furious as the first tracks but played hard, expertly and with lots of energy and high production values.
I could go on and on about this record, but you get the idea. This is terrific surf music with a lot to offer the listener. It’s not as traditionally played and sounding as some though it easily could have been, and not as musically out there on the farthest boundaries of surf as others. Very cool! The record just sounds great.
According to their Facebook band page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Samoa-Surfer-League/251165138296128?fref=ts#!/pages/West-Samoa-Surfer-League/251165138296128?id=251165138296128&sk=info) West Samoa Surfer League are Falko Tomaszek – drums, Daniel Kutter - bass guitar, Torsten Winzel – guitar and Ralph Senese – guitar. Hi Ralph! Ralph isn’t on this EP. When asked, where’s Ralph, Falko told me, “That´s a good question...I think he was pretty busy with his 35 bands haha....I thought he was with us!”
Torsten is on SG101 as LeoD http://surfguitar101.com/profile/view/LoeD/
Daniel is on SG101 as evildan http://surfguitar101.com/profile/view/Evildan/
Ralph is on SG101 as rattlesnakeraplh http://surfguitar101.com/profile/view/rattlesnakeralph/
WSSL are on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Samoa-Surfer-League/251165138296128?fref=ts#!/pages/West-Samoa-Surfer-League/251165138296128?fref=ts
Find their music here
http://songpier.com/west-samoa-surfer-league
To order the EP, go here and send a PM request to Torsten Winzel
https://www.facebook.com/Hallmakenreuther?fref=ts
This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Mar 16, 2013 14:51:42
