summerfun wrote:

Joelman wrote:

I’m referring to the videos of space monsters and vampires. Being shown in the music videos. what brought this on in surf music?

Like this?

yes exactly.
I’m not nocking the songs or the videos.
I’m just wondering why?
If it were videos of guys surfing I could understand.
Space / vampires I just don’t get.

Joel

Last edited: May 01, 2023 17:51:36

Joelman wrote:

Danny, I hope I didn’t offend you. I never want to do that.

Not in the least

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

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

Last edited: May 01, 2023 21:00:09

ElMonstroPorFavor wrote:

I'd actually be very curious about this: were there bands prior to them that were sampling quotes from old movies before their songs?

As I said in my first response in this thread: the trend started in the 80's with post-punk bands who used audio from old films because they thought it made them look and sound intellectual. This wasn't really space related, but the idea to do this kind of thing was born then. It didn't start in surf, but in post-punk/new wave. As for your first part, yes, there have been instro bands that used "space sounds" (Telstar, Space Race, Moon Relay etc.) "Space" was quite the rage around 1961 onwards due to the actual space race being in full force and the successes of the USSR (Yuri Gagarin being the first man in space and so on).

Albums:
_Introducing; Impala '59; An Evening with; Herr Magnatech Bittet Zum Tanz; Europa

Changing label.

https://magnatech.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/magnatechmusic
https://www.magnatech-music.com

Last edited: May 02, 2023 14:12:23

I wonder if the Sci Fi link might be as simple as going for a retro vibe, and conflating Sci Fi with the world of Surf Music. I’m not suggesting that there’s any reason to conflate these things, but when it comes to music of the past, some people are nostalgic for a world that they never actually experienced, and never actually existed.

Jojobaplant wrote:

synchro wrote:

Just hitting on a couple of highs points, Jojoba.

Dick Dale really led the way, with regard to bringing middle eastern influences into Surf. He opened some big doors. There are all sorts of minor keys, emanating from different cultures. There’s a lot to be explored.

The Surf material I hear from Messer Chups appeals to me for a number of reasons, but I really love the sound of a trio; the guitar playing a melody over a bass line. That’s my preferred way to work, and I love hearing that music. A few years ago, I heard a Jazz track that was sax, bass and drums. That was pure bliss. As much as a love Surf, I also love Jazz, and in my perfect universe, I’d spend at least some of my time playing Jazz in a trio setting.

Tastes differ of course and if you like their sound that is fine with me. For myself I need a sound to be a bit "fuller", less empty if you will. What I found is that a melody is nearly always in cooperation with a rhythm guitar section sounding a little better due to harmonics etc. But that's just my taste. I can't say anything about Jazz because I simply don't know enough about it, but I appreciate old, smooth jazz from, what's his name, Charly or Cole Parker - just sth nice in the background.
For myself as favorite non-surf/instro genres I would have to say generally any black music from the 50's and 60's and in particular soul and even more in particular (haha) deep soul. I love the rough yet melodic voices from ppl like Lee Moses, Johnny Sayles, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke etc, etc. "You Hurt Me" by Little Willie John is a masterpiece! If you have never listened to that one, I'd urge you to have a listen Next to that, 60's Garage rock (or punk as some call it) would be a favorite. Some post punk bands I like as well.
In the 80's I did play Garage rock for a while, covering stuff from the Fuzztones, Gunclub, Cramps, Lyres and loads of 60's teen bands.

I haven’t bought any Magnatech, but having now heard some samples, I’ll be correcting that situation.

Thank you very much! Really appreciate the support

A lot of it is a matter of taste. I like the sound of a guitar playing a melody over a bass line, with no other polyphonic instruments in the mix. This is how I play, and my strong preference.

Bebop, such as Charlie Parker not only played, but pretty much invented, was not known for its smoothness. The changes tended to to have some pretty sharp bends, and the tone centers moved swiftly. It was, and still is, challenging to play. The “Smooth Jazz” of today tends to have few, if any tone center changes, which is what makes it smooth. In many ways, it’s like the Soft Rock of the ‘70s, with lots of airy Major 7th chords and other harmonic devices to make it suitable as background music.

The Bebop I used to listen to in the Jazz clubs was pretty raw. Interestingly, the head might be played very straight, like it was Dinner Music, but when the solos started, it got a bit different. The double bass ran the show, and if there was a guitarist playing chords, it was probably “comping” over the bass line, and not the even rhythm playing of the big bands.

Actually, in this setting, I always felt that less was more, because the bass line didn’t tend to lock me down, and left me free to play altered chords, or to improvise as if I was playing over altered chords.

When I play, be it Surf, or Classic Rock, I like to use that same ethic; keeping things open. If I’m playing Country, I appreciate a good rhythm player, but chord substitutions are not used often in Country.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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