Bill Swanson The Eliminators

Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1486
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 24 2024 04:45 PM

I was in the shower this morning and had my iPhone blasting music.
Up pops an Eliminators song. I’m listening to them wailing one of my favorite songs, and I realized that I never gave much thought to the Sax player. I have,( being a guitar player) always concentrated on the guitars and drums.
But wailing into the tiled shower stall came this incredible Sax sound.
It was Bill Swanson of the Eliminators! I have always heard him in the songs, but never really realized how great a Sax player he is.
So I want EVERYONE here to know I would say he is one of the Greats.
I’m a big fan of Candy Duffer’s Sax playing.
And now I’m an even bigger fan of Bill Swanson.
Give it a listen guys.
He’s really very very good!

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bigtikidude

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25542
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
United States

Posted on Nov 25 2024 11:54 AM

I agree. Top Notch!
Seen him many times over the years.

—

Jeff(bigtikidude)

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Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1486
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 26 2024 10:32 PM

Yes,top notch for sure ! !
As are many members here.
I , myself have listened and enjoy music produced by members here and have not given a single thought to them being as good as any top ranked band.
But OMG!
there is some incredible talent in the Surf music genre.
SURF RULES!

Last edited: Nov 26, 2024 22:33:18

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4430
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Nov 26 2024 10:56 PM

Guilty as charged. Some of those sax guys were worth taking note of.

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The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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AgentClaret

Joined: Jan 30, 2024
Posts: 125
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2024 10:03 AM

Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music?

Though the Elminators are still really cool, they're one of the first modern surf bands I got into. The Babalooneys are also very groovy.

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jtrollmann

Joined: Jun 24, 2021
Posts: 128
South Bay, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2024 10:53 AM

AgentClaret wrote:

Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music?

I'm curious as to the use of the sax in surf bands. It seems like it was very common on first wave recordings, i.e. Dick Dale and the Del Tones, The Belairs, The Lively Ones, and many more.

Here's a link to an older SG101 sax thread:

The REAL Official Surf Saxophone Thread

—

-John

"...enjoy every sandwich." -Warren Zevon

Fender Stratocaster American Pro II
Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

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Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1486
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2024 12:17 PM

To bolster my thoughts. Here is the same song performed by two different surf bands. Notice the fullness and energy difference between them.

I agree before hand that the song is approached differently. But I argue that the Sax blossoms the second example quite a bit.

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simoncoil

Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 912
Berlin, Germany
1 News Pin

Posted on Nov 27 2024 02:35 PM

Not to forget that Bill Swanson also played on three tracks on the album "Fiberglass Rocket" by Jon & the Nightriders!

AgentClaret wrote:

Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music?

Some people hate it with passion
But I am not one of them. Almost all the songs I listened to in the first years of exposure to surf music had sax on them, and the first surf band I ever saw live (Plan 9) also had a sax player (they added a trumpet sonn afterwards). If I had a problem with saxophones, I probably would not have gotten into surf music... But i must admit, for me there are only a few players who seem to get trad surf sax "right", let alone are able to push into the modern era with taste. Rollo from Werner Brown & the Rocket Flames is another great player!

—

Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!

Last edited: Nov 29, 2024 03:53:57

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4430
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Nov 27 2024 03:57 PM

simoncoil wrote:

Not to forget that Bill Seanson also played on three tracks on the album "Fiberglass Rocket" by Jon & the Nightriders!

AgentClaret wrote:

Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music?

Some people hate it with passion
But I am not one of them. Almost all the songs I listened to in the first years of exposure to surf music had sax on them, and the first surf band I ever saw live (Plan 9) also had a sax player (they added a trumpet sonn afterwards). If I had a problem with saxophones, I probably would not have gotten into surf music... But i must admit, for me there are only a few players who seem to get trad surf sax "right", let alone are able to push into the modern era with taste. Rollo from Werner Brown & the Rocket Flames is another great player!

You make a good point. I’ve heard sax in Surf that sounded awful. For that matter, I’ve heard modern Surf bands that, IMHO, completely miss the sound with regard to the guitar parts.

Saxophone was common in early Rock n’ Roll bands and when Surf developed in the early ‘60s, it wasn’t surprising that some Surf bands had sax players. Sax was not unknown in Instrumental Rock which preceded Surf, such as Duane Eddy’s backup band. My interest is in the instruments I play, guitar, bass and (poorly) drums, so I haven’t sought out great sax moments in Surf, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and there were some great sax solos out there to be heard.

As to sax solos, I love the sax solos in James Taylor’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight played by Jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker and Billy Joel’s I Love You Just the Way You Are, played by Jazz saxophonists Phil Woods. In both cases, the solos are tasteful and well crafted. I’ve copied both solos on guitar, and they were a learning experience. Great sax work is hard to beat.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

Top

HockeyPuck

Joined: Sep 11, 2012
Posts: 114
Sorry Gulch
United States

Posted on Nov 28 2024 10:28 AM

Sax Gordon with the Fathoms is outstanding as well!

—

All I wish I knew what they were talking about

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Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1486 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 24 2024 04:45 PM I was in the shower this morning and had my iPhone blasting music. Up pops an Eliminators song. I’m listening to them wailing one of my favorite songs, and I realized that I never gave much thought to the Sax player. I have,( being a guitar player) always concentrated on the guitars and drums. But wailing into the tiled shower stall came this incredible Sax sound. It was Bill Swanson of the Eliminators! I have always heard him in the songs, but never really realized how great a Sax player he is. So I want EVERYONE here to know I would say he is one of the Greats. I’m a big fan of Candy Duffer’s Sax playing. And now I’m an even bigger fan of Bill Swanson. Give it a listen guys. He’s really very very good! Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25542 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on Nov 25 2024 11:54 AM I agree. Top Notch! Seen him many times over the years. — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1486 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 26 2024 10:32 PM Yes,top notch for sure ! ! As are many members here. I , myself have listened and enjoy music produced by members here and have not given a single thought to them being as good as any top ranked band. But OMG! there is some incredible talent in the Surf music genre. SURF RULES! Last edited: Nov 26, 2024 22:33:18 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4430 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Nov 26 2024 10:56 PM Guilty as charged. Some of those sax guys were worth taking note of. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
AgentClaret Joined: Jan 30, 2024 Posts: 125	Posted on Nov 27 2024 10:03 AM Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music? Though the Elminators are still really cool, they're one of the first modern surf bands I got into. The Babalooneys are also very groovy. Top
jtrollmann Joined: Jun 24, 2021 Posts: 128 South Bay, CA	Posted on Nov 27 2024 10:53 AM AgentClaret wrote: Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music? I'm curious as to the use of the sax in surf bands. It seems like it was very common on first wave recordings, i.e. Dick Dale and the Del Tones, The Belairs, The Lively Ones, and many more. Here's a link to an older SG101 sax thread: The REAL Official Surf Saxophone Thread — -John "...enjoy every sandwich." -Warren Zevon Fender Stratocaster American Pro II Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1486 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 27 2024 12:17 PM To bolster my thoughts. Here is the same song performed by two different surf bands. Notice the fullness and energy difference between them. I agree before hand that the song is approached differently. But I argue that the Sax blossoms the second example quite a bit. Top
simoncoil Joined: Sep 28, 2012 Posts: 912 Berlin, Germany	Posted on Nov 27 2024 02:35 PM Not to forget that Bill Swanson also played on three tracks on the album "Fiberglass Rocket" by Jon & the Nightriders! AgentClaret wrote: Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music? Some people hate it with passion But I am not one of them. Almost all the songs I listened to in the first years of exposure to surf music had sax on them, and the first surf band I ever saw live (Plan 9) also had a sax player (they added a trumpet sonn afterwards). If I had a problem with saxophones, I probably would not have gotten into surf music... But i must admit, for me there are only a few players who seem to get trad surf sax "right", let alone are able to push into the modern era with taste. Rollo from Werner Brown & the Rocket Flames is another great player! — Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin) "Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms! "Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records! Last edited: Nov 29, 2024 03:53:57 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4430 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Nov 27 2024 03:57 PM simoncoil wrote: Not to forget that Bill Seanson also played on three tracks on the album "Fiberglass Rocket" by Jon & the Nightriders! AgentClaret wrote: Am I alone in not really digging sax in surf music? Some people hate it with passion But I am not one of them. Almost all the songs I listened to in the first years of exposure to surf music had sax on them, and the first surf band I ever saw live (Plan 9) also had a sax player (they added a trumpet sonn afterwards). If I had a problem with saxophones, I probably would not have gotten into surf music... But i must admit, for me there are only a few players who seem to get trad surf sax "right", let alone are able to push into the modern era with taste. Rollo from Werner Brown & the Rocket Flames is another great player! You make a good point. I’ve heard sax in Surf that sounded awful. For that matter, I’ve heard modern Surf bands that, IMHO, completely miss the sound with regard to the guitar parts. Saxophone was common in early Rock n’ Roll bands and when Surf developed in the early ‘60s, it wasn’t surprising that some Surf bands had sax players. Sax was not unknown in Instrumental Rock which preceded Surf, such as Duane Eddy’s backup band. My interest is in the instruments I play, guitar, bass and (poorly) drums, so I haven’t sought out great sax moments in Surf, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and there were some great sax solos out there to be heard. As to sax solos, I love the sax solos in James Taylor’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight played by Jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker and Billy Joel’s I Love You Just the Way You Are, played by Jazz saxophonists Phil Woods. In both cases, the solos are tasteful and well crafted. I’ve copied both solos on guitar, and they were a learning experience. Great sax work is hard to beat. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
HockeyPuck Joined: Sep 11, 2012 Posts: 114 Sorry Gulch	Posted on Nov 28 2024 10:28 AM Sax Gordon with the Fathoms is outstanding as well! — All I wish I knew what they were talking about Top

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Bill Swanson The Eliminators