Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 18 2022 07:48 AM
Hi everybody! As recently I had a lot of requests of what is a surf scene in Ukraine, I've decided to make several posts on the bands and acts from the end of 90th to now. Hope it will be interesting.
Surely some signs showed after 1994 and all of you know why) Mostly these were some surfy tunes from psychobilly or rockabilly bands that started to actively appear here in 90th. First surf bands appeared around 2005-2006 and I will tell you about them in the next post) Concerning first surf tunes in Ukrainian scene - here are two great surf tunes from legendary Ukrainian band Mad Heads (album Naked Flame, 2002) that I really love and that heavily influenced my way towards surf instrumentals. Enjoy)
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 19 2022 03:29 AM
Around 2005/2006 two surf bands appeared in Ukraine and become pretty active from 2007, doing records and shows in Ukraine and abroad:
Night Surf - surf/punk/prog project that a was a kind of a fusion between surf music and modern instrumental rock. The band was really active for several years issuing good album and performing multiple shows. Is not active from 2014 or so.
Waikiki Makaki - trad surf/rock/garage/western band that went through multiple changes but still active till now. Mostly a live act with a few records but I hope to change it.
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 20 2022 03:03 AM
2009 was pretty a milestone for a surf music in Ukraine. Two active surf bands (Night Surf and Waikiki Makaki) were joined by a great psychobilly band Rebel Gang who came up with a surf program that was unbelievably good for a psycho band) The rising surf wave lead to a first official Surf Party in Ukraine that was held in Sumy city (native city of Rebel Gang) June 2009 and was a blast! Three sets of different surf music and the final jam of Waikiki Makaki with guitar players from Night Surf and Rebel Gang! I could find only some videos, but these are enough to see what was happening there with all the smoke, strobe and beautiful dancing girls!
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4415
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
Posted on May 21 2022 10:54 PM
Definitely enjoying this, Samurai.
I’ve noted that Surf music and Eastern European musicians seem to fit together like a hand in a glove. We’ve seen some great Surf come out of that part of the world.
—
The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 22 2022 01:36 AM
synchro wrote:
Definitely enjoying this, Samurai.
I’ve noted that Surf music and Eastern European musicians seem to fit together like a hand in a glove. We’ve seen some great Surf come out of that part of the world.
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 23 2022 08:55 AM
2010
Polar 10. Interesting but unfortunately short lived project made up by former member of Waikiki Makaki band. I've really enjoyed their mixture of western, scifi and horror plus some psychobilly roots. Some nice shows and then they quit, however some of the members went on with contributing other surf and rock'n roll projects.
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 26 2022 06:25 AM
Around 2015 I guess one of the best projects ever on Ukrainian scene appeared.
Space PsychoTropic Plank-tone was founded by members of famous rockabilly band WiseGuyz and completely blew away everybody with conceptual scifi/new wave surf and great show performances. They published their first album in 2016 and it's GOOOD! We are still waiting for the second one! https://open.spotify.com/album/6YsZtdmDELQYUI4G1GcOyh
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 27 2022 03:18 AM
synchro wrote:
Interesting band. That lead player has a right hand that is unstoppable.
Chris is a legend of Ukrainian rock scene, he is a leader 5 or 6 projects, from rockabilly/psychobilly to some rock/garage/gypsy jazz and two(!) surf projects, the second one I will cover later. Unbelievably talented composer, guitar player and singer and a good friend of mine. He and his bandmates stay in Kharkiv.
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4415
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
Posted on May 27 2022 07:49 AM
Samurai wrote:
synchro wrote:
Interesting band. That lead player has a right hand that is unstoppable.
Chris is a legend of Ukrainian rock scene, he is a leader 5 or 6 projects, from rockabilly/psychobilly to some rock/garage/gypsy jazz and two(!) surf projects, the second one I will cover later. Unbelievably talented composer, guitar player and singer and a good friend of mine. He and his bandmates stay in Kharkiv.
The speed required for a good right hand tremolo is something I find difficult to sustain for long periods of time. I really admire someone that can sustain that and keep it clean.
—
The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2230
Kiev, Ukraine
Posted on May 27 2022 08:56 AM
synchro wrote:
Samurai wrote:
synchro wrote:
Interesting band. That lead player has a right hand that is unstoppable.
Chris is a legend of Ukrainian rock scene, he is a leader 5 or 6 projects, from rockabilly/psychobilly to some rock/garage/gypsy jazz and two(!) surf projects, the second one I will cover later. Unbelievably talented composer, guitar player and singer and a good friend of mine. He and his bandmates stay in Kharkiv.
The speed required for a good right hand tremolo is something I find difficult to sustain for long periods of time. I really admire someone that can sustain that and keep it clean.
He is one of the best guitar players I know. Please check their album, it’s sooo good!
This is mostly a one man project from Ivan Semeschenko who makes all the music by himself, only joining with some cool rhythm section for live shows. Heavy roots in prog rock, punk and metal, startling technique and powerful energy - this is Amphibian Man! You may see a lot of albums on Bandcamp and most of them are really good. Surely pay your attention the brilliant set of Heavy Metal covers! https://amphibianman.bandcamp.com/album/metal-goes-surf
This is mostly a one man project from Ivan Semeschenko who makes all the music by himself, only joining with some cool rhythm section for live shows. Heavy roots in prog rock, punk and metal, startling technique and powerful energy - this is Amphibian Man! You may see a lot of albums on Bandcamp and most of them are really good. Surely pay your attention the brilliant set of Heavy Metal covers! https://amphibianman.bandcamp.com/album/metal-goes-surf
He gets a sound that reminds me of music from the Balkans, or even the Near East. He has a heck of a fast right hand.
—
The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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