February Birthdays 
Howdy Folks and Happy Independence Day Eve to all,
First I want to thank Eddie and Wayne Foster (and everyone else behind the scenes) for all their hard work putting on a great show this past Saturday. And of course all the other bands and the "unsteaddy one" for making the trek to emcee.
I awoke Saturday morning with the sun in my eyes and the smell of salt water in the air 9 stories above Tampa Bay. After a week of rest and relaxation, it was time to get back to work so I loaded up the crew, and began the 470 mile trek north to Clarkston which hugs the north east perimeter of Atlanta.
I figured with it being the weekend before 4th of July, most of the traffic would be headed south, but it appears the fine folks of Florida decided to head for higher ground before "Hurricane Tourists" invaded. Traffic was hell.
After 6 1/2 hours on the road, we were drawing a bead on Atlanta which was a good thing because we were due to hit the stage in about an hour. Just in time I thought until I got a call from Trace that he was still 100 miles out heading East from Birmingham. No worries, these things always seem to work out.
I should have known to expect the snarled traffic which caused us to make the final 20 miles in just over an hour and arrive at the park a mere 20 minutes ahead of Trace. Frazzled from the drive with a 3, 4 and 5 year old in the back seat, I rolled out of the car happy to find out they were running about an hour behind and the Surge was still blazing through their set.
We got there too late to see the likes of The Broken SPokes (who I love) and Strato Geezer, so somebody else will need to weigh in on that front. I also never did get to really meet Rev Randy Duke which I regret, but I was being pulled a lot of different ways.
The lay out was far better than last year. Foster Sound had built a stage framed with 3 inch Bamboo just in front of a soccer goal facing east. A small grove of trees was already providing shade across the playing area creeping steadily towards the crowd. A lot of folks had brought their own canopies to sit under about 30 yards from the stage and on the other side of the field a sprinkler was set up for kids of all ages to find wet relief from the heat.
A snack shop sold Bar B Que, cokes and water along the north sideline and had free popsicles for the kids. Somebody else had brought along a gross of beach balls and cheap toys to keep the kids occupied as well.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to pay a whole lot of attention to the Surge as I helped get the fam situated. But what I heard was really very good. (although their drummer ought to practice a bit more I think)
El Capitan and thee Scallywags took the stage next and put on a rockin' 30 minute set. James is a really great guitar player that absolutely brutalizes his Danelectros, literally and figuratively. These guys specialize in Spaghetti Western influenced tunes and do it quite well with a lot of energy. They have a 3 song demo available which is highly recommended but Jet will have to come on to let you know how to get a hold of it.
Then, it was our turn (The Penetrators). After Unsteady Freddie's flattering introduction, we continued the spaghetti theme with the High Plains Surfer Trilogy moving into Carl's Bad, The Wedge, Floating, Shut UP and Dance, Squad Car, Bennett Cerf, Margaya, 50 Bucks a Midget, Redlined, Unknown, Southern Surf Syndicate Theme and Bikini Drag.
From what I'm told it sounded alright out front, but having not practiced since March and not being able to hear the bass at all, there were a few sloppy parts but we had a lot of fun and it felt good. We sold quite a few CD's which is also a good gauge for a performance I suppose.
This was also the first time my kids had ever seen me on stage and the first time the 3 of us have had our 7 kids in one place at the same time. So that was cool. My oldest's review was "Daddy plays too loud!" I'm satisfied with that.
Shortly after coming off stage, I was supposed to do a radio interview via i phone, but the damn line was busy. I need to talk to Simon about making that gadget standard S3 issue.
The Acoustisonics came up next with a great all acoustic set mixing in songs from Endless Summer with The Shadows and even flattering us with a super south of the border version of Lamento a Go Go. This was a perfect slot for them and a great sound track as sun began to wilt into the western sky.
Up next, all the way from north of the Mason Dixon line was Mister Neutron. A very powerful trio that hammered out originals and payed homage to the likes of Dick Dale and Slacktone. These guys are certainly talented and I'm glad they made the long trip. I wish I had been able to talk with them more than with brief pleasantries, but Daddy duty kept me back in the field most of the time.
Finally, the sun had completely given way to the stars when Daikiju, yet another surf/instrumental band from Alabama (This time Huntsville - the "Rocket City") took the stage. I almost hate comparing them with other bands, but it kind of fits, so imagine shades of a MOAM?, Los Stratjackets, and Johnny Sokko and his Giant Robot vibe mixed in with a psychedelic synchronized light show. Daikiju plays dressed in all black with Japanese masks covering their face. Their sound is unique and very pumped up. I don't listen to the Mermen a whole lot but it reminds me in some way of them on speed. I could be totally wrong on that one though.
Thank God it didn't rain like last year, but by 10, lightning could be seen in the distance and the Mrs and I figured we'd put our kids through enough Syndicate road trip training for one day so we headed out the gate with Daikaiju still playing in the rearview mirror.
The day began 500 miles south in Tampa, and ended on Sticks' back porch finishing off my bottle of Johnny Walker, reminiscing about the good ole days and plotting a track for the future. A good day indeed.
Thanks to everyone who came out. I think the Tip jar nearly reached $900, so there was a solid and giving contingency of the loving public which was great to see and most appreciated.
Wayne Foster and Eddie Katcher, a long time card carrying member of the Southern Surf Syndicate did us proud. We hope next year to see more of you come down and take in some good old southern hospitality, humidity and of course - reverb!
Happy Reverbs!
Spanky
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