And you fine sir.
ed
—Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » The Shallow End »
The Shallow End: Dedicated to Rip & Spanky
• New Topic
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2773 Atlanta, GA 
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Posted on May 11 2014 07:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19266 Des Moines, Iowa, USA 
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Posted on May 11 2014 07:33 PM
Those guys were the best. It was magical seeing the Penetrators tribute with Trace, Stix, Eddie, & Ivan. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 5298 the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on May 12 2014 05:26 AM
Brian wrote:
that it was — |
Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 26 2014 05:44 PM
mom_surfing wrote:
This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2015 03:39 PM
Today is Rip Thrillby’s birthday. He would have been 49. I found surfguitar101.com through a Google search on ‘Atlanta Surf Music’ and got a hit on a Creative Loafing (a local leisure guide) interview with Chad Shivers talking about the Atlanta surf scene and the Southern Surf Stomp. Wow. I was floored to find out that surf music had a small, but active, fan base right here in Atlanta. In response to the question “What are the three most essential surf albums?” Chad replied, “Hands down, the Penetrators Locked and Loaded is the quintessential, defining Atlanta surf album.” I had never heard of them, but I downloaded their MP3 album from Amazon and thought it was great. I decided to find out more about the Penetrators and that search brought me to, you guessed it, surfguitar101.com. The more I learned about the Penetrators, the more intrigued I became. Especially with regard to Rip Thrillby and Spanky Twangler, two brothers from Alabama, and their wonderful, glorious, tragic story. I grew up very close to Huntsville, Alabama, their hometown. I found it fascinating that these wild men started a surf band at the University of Alabama. Not only that, but they created alter egos as secret agents for the Southern Surf Syndicate, complete with biographies and a cool website. They developed a total image with graphics and logos. They were bigger than life and cooler than hell. They seemed like guys you would want to have as best friends. Unfortunately, that will never be. It’s strange, I never knew Rip or Spanky, but I miss them. —-Tim |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25540 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Jul 14 2015 04:48 PM
Let's raise a Toast to RIP tonight! Cheers, and Welcome Silver Flash —Jeff(bigtikidude) |
Joined: Dec 11, 2011 Posts: 2118
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Posted on Jul 14 2015 05:02 PM
Just tipped a can one more time! I'm going to plug in the cd's as soon as I finish typing. I don't know whether to be sad their gone or glad for their music they left us with. ???? |
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2773 Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2015 05:23 PM
That wfoguy, is a no-brainer. We are most sad to have lost them and we are damn glad they left us with so much good music. Sir Flash, welcome to 101. We all miss them dearly. ed —Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? |
Joined: May 24, 2008 Posts: 422 Land Locked CINCINNATI OH
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Posted on Jul 14 2015 10:01 PM
eddiekatcher wrote:
My glass is raised. Love yer story Silver Flash. The mighty KAHUNATONES www.donschott.com Last edited: Jul 14, 2015 22:03:48 |
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Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 10:49 AM
Rip Thrillby would have been 50 years old today. I raise my single malt to him and to his brother, Spanky Twangler. I still regret that I never had the opportunity to meet them or hear them perform live. Their band, The Penetrators, have become one of my very favorite and played a role in my very first post to SG101 one year ago today. I have had the pleasure of meeting Stix Stechkin this past year at a Southern Surf Stomp and I am very excited by the opportunity to see The Penetrators, along with The Space Cossacks and The Mystery Men? on July 30th at the Star Bar in Atlanta. Rest in Peace, Rip and Spanky. You are far from forgotten. —-Tim |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 11:38 AM
Miss you, Rip! I came across these photos recently - I think they sum up Rip perfectly! He was smooth... (Silverflash, unfortunately the Penetrators will not be able to perform at the Atlanta Cossacks show in Atlanta in two weeks since the drummer Sticks had an accident and messed up his back. I don't think it's serious, but it's put him out of commission for the next few months. A serious bummer!)
Ivan |
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Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 12:17 PM
Hi Ivan, I had not heard about Stix. Thanks for letting me know. What a bummer, both for Stix and the show. I hope he gets better soon and another opportunity for the Penetrators to perform presents itself. But I guess the stars would have to align just right for that to happen. I never knew who was going to make up the Penetrators for the show. I assumed Stix and I hoped Trace Luger would perform. (For anyone who doesn't know, that would cover drums and bass, the original Penetrators rhythm section.) Beyond that I figured you would play guitar. Too much of a coincidence with your being in town and you have been known to play in a tribute band or two. (BTW, really looking forward to meeting you in person and seeing the Cossacks.) I don't know if the other guitarist(s) are supposed to be a secret, but I would like to know if it's not. I could make a few guesses. It's not like Atlanta is short on outstanding surf guitarists (Chad Shivers, Eddie Katcher, Richard Hawes, and Jamie Galatas to name a few.) Anyway, thanks for the update and I envy you for having known Rip and Spanky, and for playing one hell of a guitar. —-Tim |
Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 65 Springville, AL |
Posted on Jul 14 2016 12:24 PM
Happy Birthday Agent Thrillby!! Fender Bass, Small Firearms |
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Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 12:40 PM
Wow, Trace Luger himself! It is an honor, sir. I hope to one day meet you and thank you personally for all the great music. -Tim —-Tim |
Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 2188 Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 01:12 PM
Tim, I do believe that the Penetrators T.R.I.B.U.T.E. is on deck for the Southern Surf StompFest, so hope remains! RIP Rip and Spanky! I never met Rip, but did meet and hang with Spanky a number of times... what a sweet and wonderful man! I love that these brothers' legacy is strong and powerful and always growing! Well deserved! —
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3797 North Atlantic 
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 02:24 PM
I never had the chance to meet Rip, but from what I have read he seemed like a very special person. His music (and Spanky), which is so great, lives on for us. I am grateful for that. Rev —Canadian Surf |
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Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 03:11 PM
Jamie, The Penetrators T.R.I.B.U.T.E. is still on!?! Hallelujah, that is excellent news! -Tim |
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Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 2188 Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 03:31 PM
SilverFlash wrote:
That's my understanding! Chad is the bossman on that event, so only he can fully confirm. Really hate that they can't join for the Space Cossacks show, especially considering their history, but StompFest will be a fitting substitute! —
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Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 258 San Diego, Ca
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Posted on Jul 14 2016 11:21 PM
About 10, maybe 12 years ago, my Sister got me 'Locked And Loaded', and 'Kings Of The High Speed Weekend'. Good stuff. R.I.P., Rip Clark -Less Paul, more Reverb- —-Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- |
Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 19 2017 08:38 AM
Just re-read through this whole thread. (Did not know Rip.) His note on pg. 1 of this thread - fortunately read without a mouth full of coffee - is on my happy-thought-of-the-day list - not just because it has some funny shit but contains some sage observations. Plus ca change... and all that. The unapologetic real deal by all accounts. Thanks all for sharing your recollections. Coffee mug raised. Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
These were taken at the Surfari USA '97 show in Atlanta at the Variety Playhouse. The girls were the go-go dancers for the Penetrators at that show (and others, too). There was no one like Rip, then or now. 
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