Really sad to hear this, but so grateful for their music. Quite a run!

• Jamie
  SSS Agent #181
  Cartoons drenched in reverb!
  The Mystery Men?
  El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists

Wow, this is a bummer!!! I too am very, very sad, but wow, what a legacy of great music.

I remember back in the day when they first started and learning about them through Phil Dirt. It was so hard to find copies of their albums and when you did get them it was a freaking gold mine.

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

Hey Rev,

I am still embarassed by this amp thing on Surfer Joe Festival. Sorry one more time. I was just being too worried about the amp. Nice to hear that you don’t hold it against me:)

Dalibor

revmike wrote:

Such a great band live, and great recordings. So glad I got to see them perform a couple of years ago. I only had the chance to meet Dalibor when I accidentally plugged into his rig, thinking it was the festival’s backline After discovering the mistake (Dalibor came up to me to let me know- I was dying inside, so embarrassed), he graciously said that it would be no problem for me to use it for our set. I didn’t want to mess with his set up, so I declined his wonderful offer. Such a nice guy. Thanks for the music and memories!

Rev

Hi Dalibor,

You have absolutely NO reason to be embarrassed, it was me who made the mistake. You had every right, and you were very nice about it. I look back on it as a lucky event: it have me a chance to meet you in person!

Best of luck in the future, and I hope we cross paths again. Thanks for the great music. It has made such a positive impact on so many people!

Rev

Dalibor wrote:

Hey Rev,

I am still embarassed by this amp thing on Surfer Joe Festival. Sorry one more time. I was just being too worried about the amp. Nice to hear that you don’t hold it against me:)

Dalibor

revmike wrote:

Such a great band live, and great recordings. So glad I got to see them perform a couple of years ago. I only had the chance to meet Dalibor when I accidentally plugged into his rig, thinking it was the festival’s backline After discovering the mistake (Dalibor came up to me to let me know- I was dying inside, so embarrassed), he graciously said that it would be no problem for me to use it for our set. I didn’t want to mess with his set up, so I declined his wonderful offer. Such a nice guy. Thanks for the music and memories!

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

Last edited: Jul 25, 2018 15:49:27

one of my favorite bands

www.surfintheeye.com

I too am saddened that I’ll have no opportunity to see one of my favorite surf groups live. Probably the only one out there that I really wanted to but haven’t. (Actually not true, The Langhorns and Beat Tornadoes would be really cool to see.)

I’ve been trying to put my finger on what it is that Bambi Molesters did that made them stand out from the crowd. On the surface they’re the same as the vast majority of surf bands: 2 guitars, bass and drums. Primarily instrumental music with guitars playing the leads. Simple chord structures on their originals and covers of surf music standards. So what is it?

I have some thoughts I’ll put together, but I’m curious what some of you think it is that makes their sum so much greater than our parts

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

DannySnyder wrote:

I too am saddened that I’ll have no opportunity to see one of my favorite surf groups live. Probably the only one out there that I really wanted to but haven’t. (Actually not true, The Langhorns and Beat Tornadoes would be really cool to see.)

I’ve been trying to put my finger on what it is that Bambi Molesters did that made them stand out from the crowd. On the surface they’re the same as the vast majority of surf bands: 2 guitars, bass and drums. Primarily instrumental music with guitars playing the leads. Simple chord structures on their originals and covers of surf music standards. So what is it?

I have some thoughts I’ll put together, but I’m curious what some of you think it is that makes their sum so much greater than our parts

At Surfer Joe in 2015, JonPaul described their music as having a "quiet intensity". I couldn't have put it any better myself, which is why I'm quoting him here. Suffice to say, The Bambi Molesters are my favourite band in the world.

Los Fantasticos

Dear all,

I am really touched by your love and admiration. Honestly. I cannot find words that would describe exactly how I feel at this moment. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. The Bambi Molesters unoficially broke up sometime in March when Dinko and I decided that we no longer want to play together. Both of us remained friends. I choose not to go public about it and I probably should offer some explanation. Sorry I can't do it. Some things are better left unsaid. As for future releases The Strange album is coming out on 26th September. It is a vocal album but there is plenty of twang and reverb and I am proud of it. It is where I want to be musically at the moment. I am sure I'll play instrumentals at some point. Anyway, you'll be first to hear the news.

Love you all,

Dalibor

Ariel wrote:

Gentle pretty thing
Who only had one spring
You bravely faced the world
Ready for anything
I'm happy that you lived
For your life is mine
What have I except to cry
Spirit never die
Birds of the air
Beasts of the earth
Overjoyed at Bambi's birth they gambolled in the glade

Who killed Bambi?

Murder murder murder
Someone should be angry
The crime of the century
Who shot little Bambi
Never trust a hippie
Because I love punky Bambi
I'll kill to find the killer
In that rotten roll army
All the spikey punkers
Believers in the ruins
With one big shout
They all cry out

Who killed Bambi?

---

Re-watched last night "A Night In Zagreb". Beautifully played and shot, one of the greatest videos of any band ever, of one of the greatest bands ever. Confused? yes I am.

Is it an obituary now? Feels weird, too soon. I move erratically between past and present terms because of it. You really can't label greatness, or categorize awesomeness. There are too many things to say about the Bambi Molesters. It's the after the fact, the results that get us, it was easy to love them, and a gratifying ride.

Coming from a little scene in Eastern Europe, great musicians every one, meshing together in a truly organic way. Rare enough on it's own, and ought to produce something good no matter the style, but there's much more...

Super strong base - masterful control, intimate knowledge and clear love of Surf music are clear and present. Add their punk/alternative background, originality and private worlds of amusement and absurdity.
Dalibor setting most of the tone with confidence, while Dinko flies around him like some obsessed raptor. Innovative use of twin guitar lines, where lead and rhythm intersect in ways never heard before, changing roles, creating incredible rich textures by use of contrast and tasteful orchestration. Clever use of diffusion versus getting it tight, like in classical symphonies.
Hrvoje's classic surf drums, always right, lively and suave.
Bass work of Lada is impressive to no end. Prominent in the mix, crafting meaningful lines, supporting the guitar mayhem with a strong defined melody. She injected a sense of fun into that band that wouldn't have been there otherwise, between those lovely murderers...
They expanded the genre while always circling the roots. Influential, by showing how to carve a totally original identity within a tradition, and with traditional tools.

Jazzmasters, in their full glory. Overtones! noises! From big boomy, almost baritone-like to overdriven, overreverbed highs, the two guitars took the audio spectrum. When the type of music allows it, it's wonderful.
Never too little reverb, and too much doesn't exist. Is the twang hollow? let's celebrate it then! Keep in mind that in Croatia, good Fender stuff was hard to come by, and expensive to boot. They built their own, salvaged instruments left in chicken coups, collected and restored, got deep into the minutiae of their gear to make the most of it.
They did, and kept rising the bar for all others. Production on the masterpiece "As The Dark Wave Swells" was perfection, demonstrating how established and comfortable a band can be, with clear musical goals.

A big one: Dinko single handedly re-introduced the true vibrato sound of the Magnatone to modern surf. He made un-apologetic use of it in incredible ways. Fast and deep on solos, thickening and demanding attention. On rhythm lines sometimes tremolo-like, adding a layer of drunken pathos to the already high emotion levels. It's instantly recognizable, defining this band for me, a signature sound.

Horn section, great horns. So good, was their use of horns.

They did a thing I love: dance on the borders. Of many fronts - the definitions of the genre, their new take with vintage sources, and the exciting edge between optimistic, sunny Cali and low grey Euro skies.
Sometimes as heavy and dark as post-punk romantics from the 80's, but replacing the inherent alienation with the freeing sweet conclusions we're used to getting from Surf.
They look so freaking cool, with that buttoned up shirt aesthetic and no smiles (except Lada of course). Could've sold it more, but chose not to. Elegant.

Every time I want to introduce someone to the genre, and how vast it's horizons are, Bambi's are consistently beloved. And one of the harder names to have to explain .
Thanks for all the wonderful things Bambi-Molesters, you had a major part in my personal interest in Surf music, and led me to explore even more. Needless to say, hope to hear more from you, in whatever constellation or project.

Ariel,
Very moving words, thank you for that.
I feel very similar but am not an elegant wordsmith such as yourself.
Thank you for saying that for those of us who can not.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Oh!
I have to say thank you Bambi Molesters for the "Dumb Loud Hollow Twang" album especially!
Still one of my top fave albums ever!

"Intensity" is also a milestone for me! This was a time, when not sooooo much surf bands played around.

I remember the first time saw the Bambis live (in the deep south of Germany in Villinngen-Schwenningen early 2000´s or 1999? It was a long way to drive, we where late, you nearly finished a set and played on for a good time! Great!). Magic!!!
And 2 or 3 years later we met and played together (about 2002 or 2004?). It was so cool to hear and see you playing through our amps! I enjoy the memories of all the shows I experienced the Bambi Molesters, shared stages had a bit lifetime together.
You where always cool and nice people!
Thanks for all your great songs you left!!!! You where a big inspiration to a lot of people I guess. Thanks for doing all this all the years!
I am happy to be on this planet the same time like you

Twang cheers!

Ralf Kilauea

www.kilaueas.de

https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien