I haven’t read all the replies

but here is my 2 cents.

All depends on where you live,and what clubs you book in.
how well you promote.
And how good is your band.
..... and how drunk the crowd is.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

I will place a bowl of earplugs at the edge of the stage

Sonic_Blue wrote:

I will place a bowl of earplugs at the edge of the stage

I say put it at the door instead. “By the stage” is too far to avoid hearing damage, for some. Also, if folks see earplugs at the door they are less inclined to be put off by the volume!

Dan

Daniel Deathtide

Foam earplugs kill all treble and but that's where tonal beauty is. The fancy etymotic plugs I occasionally use still distort the tonal balance and leave me guessing about my tone. Earplug tone effects might not matter much for metal, hard rock, and hip hop but they do for surf.

I see plenty of females in audiences when I perform at moderate volumes, and hear lots of appreciation from them. Women perceive sounds as louder than men do, so playing very loud may provoke them to exit. Reference: https://kyushu-u.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/the-difference-of-perceived-loudness-of-sounds-between-men-and-wo

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

I would say that the most important thing is to play what you enjoy, however, realize that paying audiences may have other tastes. It doesn’t hurt to have a few alternative choices, such as a few non Surf tunes, just in case the audience gets restless. The scene in the Blue Brothers where they improvise a set of Country songs has roots in truth. I’ve been in the position of being in a band that was wrong for the venue, and it’s no fun, but it’s even worse when you don’t have anything else to fall back on.

I’m going to disagree, respectfully, with some of the posts. I ageee with Squid; I Don’t believe that you have to be loud. If the venue has a PA, mic’ everything and play at a low stage volume. Our band does on outdoor gig every year and I typically take a small amp and let them mic’ it. I used to use a Winfield Typhoon, which is a preamp based upon a Vox AC-15 and a 5 watt, single ended, Class A power amp. Through the PA, it sounded as big as a Showman.

A tube-driven reverb tank sounds great, but some of the modern pedals are outstanding. I’ve have a Catalinbread Topanga for years and it sounds amazing. There are plenty of choices. Which brings me to my next topic.

You don’t have to break the bank. Some of the lower end Fenders are pretty good, right out of the box. A simple rig can take you a long way.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Jun 20, 2020 19:36:49

MelPhantomSurfers wrote:

Howdy,

You asked two questions:” Will it be hard to get gigs? What is the crowd response like for surf?”

In my opinion, the answers depend on one thing, and one thing only- Can you entertain? In my experience, this is far more important than what type of music you play, what type of equipment you use, etc. To the average schmuck, surf music is deadly boring. Seriously. Song one is fine, but what do songs three and four sound like? Exactly like song one to most folks. So do something memorable. Don’t stand there like a stump. Really.

Most people don’t understand, or even like my band. And that is fine. But just enough do that we have been able badly play dopey Instrumental songs for quite awhile.

So if you can entertain them, it shouldn’t be hard to get a gig. And if you think of yourself as an entertainment act, and not a surf band, my guess is you might do okay. One final thought: A well timed gag counts for a Lot more than passion or musical virtuosity. At least in my world it does.

Tommy Emmanuel has stated that he understood from early on that his role was to entertain. You can entertain by playing Surf Music, but you have to kept your perspective about it. A good joke, a bit of banter and a degree of flexibility can help greatly. Playing gigs will involve requests, and sometimes requests that are not aligned with your tastes. Gotta keep the customer satisfied.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

MelPhantomSurfers wrote:

Howdy,

You asked two questions:” Will it be hard to get gigs? What is the crowd response like for surf?”

In my opinion, the answers depend on one thing, and one thing only- Can you entertain? In my experience, this is far more important than what type of music you play, what type of equipment you use, etc. To the average schmuck, surf music is deadly boring. Seriously. Song one is fine, but what do songs three and four sound like? Exactly like song one to most folks. So do something memorable. Don’t stand there like a stump. Really.

Most people don’t understand, or even like my band. And that is fine. But just enough do that we have been able badly play dopey Instrumental songs for quite awhile.

So if you can entertain them, it shouldn’t be hard to get a gig. And if you think of yourself as an entertainment act, and not a surf band, my guess is you might do okay. One final thought: A well timed gag counts for a Lot more than passion or musical virtuosity. At least in my world it does.

This is a very honest response. While musicians relate to musical ability, a crowd just wants to be entertained. For a surf band it's helped us to be a bit tongue in cheek, but you have to entertain - either look good, look different, get people dancing, interact and engage with the crowd. It's not easy for most, it's harder than learning surf guitar for sure. This applies to any band, but for surf bands, you need to do a bit more because there is no vocalist.

Playing surf is great fun. Playing live in a band is whole different thing. Writing and recording originals is another different thing. Play with your friends and see what happens. (Avoid those guys that want to 'jam'. Find people that want to play songs, either originals or covers. Jamming is a waste of time in my experience!)

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Zero respect. Quizzical looks (at best). Back issues. Taking the broad view. Confusing responses to questions like this one. Coming to the realization that this is mostly a folk music (albeit an extremely cool one) at this juncture: Your Mission - make sure it survives. Actually understanding the nuances of discussing reverb and head room. Ultimately, achieving Zen status and moving beyond the nuances of reverb and head room. Achieving oneness with the universe through said reverb and headroom. Adding a little beer helps. Some will also opt for cannabis. This can be a sore point in the discussion and is best left to the experts.

mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/

This question on repeat: "So you play surf music? ...like Dick Dale?"

On just Writing and Recording surf music --- Back in about 2008, Ellie and I were getting more proficient at our various instruments, but were floundering as to what genre of music we wanted to create. We both actually surf, and I guess it was that that made me look up surf music one night when I found this website. We researched it heavily, and Ellie and I were intrigued and listening to everything we could. We couldn't believe it was so underground, so completely worldwide and that incredible new surf music was being written and played around the world. Then, we heard the Bambi Molesters, and that was that. Ellie fell in love with Lada playing bass, and I loved their darkish moody original new surf music. Ellie and I were hooked, and we haven't looked back. We decided up front not to play covers, and to make our best attempt to write, play and record only our original surf music. It has been a blast for the past ten years. (I was listening to an interview Ellie and I did for Cousin Mary on KFJC back in 2012 - [the entire interview is the last two "tunes" on our reverbnation site] - and Ellie at 15 said she wanted to be a writer. Well, she graduated last November from the University of Edinburgh with her Masters in Writing.) Time Flies.

On Playing Out Surf Music --- I was very active in the local music scene. I frequented most of the live music clubs and knew most of the young bands that played them. Then I was approached by two (likewise older) guys who liked our music and who wanted to start a play-out surf band. Ellie was off at college. From the beginning, I wanted to only play clubs as part of a line-up with other non-surf bands. And, I wanted to focus on the clubs that all the local youngster indie/punk bands were playing. And we played them all. The best time of my life playing music. I used my connections to get us in the lineups, then they realized these old dudes played VERY cool music... surf, which they had never really heard before! We added a couple youngsters to the band over time, and we were asked back constantly. We also played covers of new surf music by the Bambis, El Ray, SMOASP, Satan's Pilgrims, the Pixies version of Cecilia Ann and others. But, we didn't play any of the first wave classics. Then the music scene here changed and clubs closed, and we did too.

But, everything KBK said is right on. Do it for the fun, the incredible people you meet along the way during this short time we have on this rock flying through space.

Bill

Shoot the Pier on Bandcamp
Shoot the Pier on Reverb Nation
Shoot The Pier on Facebook
We are on Instagram under "@shootthepiersurfband"

My Country EP ... Florida Dirt Fire
https://floridadirtfire.bandcamp.com/album/florida-dirt-fire

My French Love Songs ... I really needed a change...
www.lonelyrose.bandcamp.com

Last edited: Jun 22, 2020 18:30:57

Mel Waldorf had a few movie placements and got a song in Spongebob Squarepant with his Meltones stuff. Our band Meshugga Beach Party hit a big payoff when a dutch bank used our version of If I Were A Rich Man in a commerical

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