People, I am extremely happy of the shows yesterday and I had fun fun fun. Nothing to say about this, lots of instro music (not all surf to me, but - hey - you know how i think...), but all great.
Now an analysis on Niels comment: YOU HAVE TO PLAY MORE LIVE SHOWS.
Stand up from your chairs, stop writing about strings gauge and speakers and book shows!!!
The analysis reveals clearly that the more surf bands tour, the more this music is known. You all know I tour a lot so I can tell that we are back to 1992, when people did not know what surf music was, never heard of it. Pulp Fiction era is gone. 3rd wave is gone. In the top 101 there are few new releases compared to the 90s one.
You need to carry around your Showman (does not matter if it's heavy) and reverb tanks. People have never seen them and they appreciate the sound. Leave home your pedals, masks, cloths, theremins... just play play play play. This is unfortunately the ONLY way to get people to know this music.
Festivals do, Radios do, Forum do. But all these bring much less results then going out, show your music and talk to people, invite them to buy your records and if they don't know explain what the fuck surf music is.
If you care about this music, about its history and roots, about a "scene" around the world, please do this. If you care only about you, your band, your music and your little world it's ok too. Then don't read my message... but don't complain about small audiences, lack of knowledge and low or not existing fees. There is very little for you out there. Instrumental music means nothing to most people.
Think surf music, then yourself.
—Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)