IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Feb 06 2008 08:26 PM
It's wrong on some level to generalize about bands that come from dozen-plus countries of a very diverse continent, but I would say what unites the best Euro-surf bands is a melodic sensibility and sensitivity that's not as common among American surf bands. There is more care given to arrangements and melodies rather than just brute force - maybe the legacy of the Shadows and the broader Euro-instro genre of the early sixties. Though of course there are many exceptions to this generalization on both sides of the pond.
My favorites from the last ten-fifteen years are the Bambi Molesters (Croatia), the Treble Spankers (Holland), the Beat Tornados (Norway), Langhorns (Sweden), Los Twang! Marvels (Germany), Laika & the Cosmonauts (Finland), the Phantom Four (Holland), Fifty Foot Combo (Belgium), the Kilaueas (Germany), Husky & the Sandmen (Finland), the Apemen (Holland - and definitely an exception to my statement above!), El Ray (Denmark), the Lunatics (Finland), the Wet-Tones (Italy), the Looney Tunes (Germany), the Surftones (Finland?), the Krontjong Devils (Holland), the Daytonas (Sweden), Kare & the Cavemen aka the Euroboys (Norway). I probably left some out, but there are SO many great Euro-surf bands out there. I think I would say that overall I sligtly prefer modern Euro-surf to modern American surf. If you'll allow me to generalize again, strangely enough there seems to be a bit more personality and fearlessness among Euro surf bands to tread their own path - qualities that are usually associated with the American society. It's a very interesting phenomenon.
Trode who occasionally posts here is a huge fan of Euro surf. I think he listens to very little American surf. Maybe he'll notice this thread and pipe up.
Ivan
PS And here's to a Monotones CD! C'mon, Wannes, give it!
— Ivan
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Feb 06 2008 08:43 PM
Ruhar
I've also really gotten into The Quiets from Finland. They phenomenal. Mostly slower, moodier stuff. They do a lot of covers, but they're not your trad surf tunes. They do tunes like Desafinado and Magnificent Seven. I highly recommend these catz! Does anyone know if they are still together?
I don't think so. I have four or so CDs by them, but I can't really think of them as a Euro-surf band. They're completely in the mold of sixties Euro-instro, echo-heavy Shadows-type stuff. There are no surf elements in their sound. But they were among the very best at recreating those sounds.
I use to email with Pekka Laine of the Hypnomen a lot in the nineties (another band that occasionally dipped into surf but that was a lot heavier and eventually moved into the late sixties kind of stuff). He knew the Quiets pretty well, and was big fan. The Quiets' problem was the lack of songwriting - they could only cover songs. They were brilliant at it, but still, it's restrictive.
For me, the Rapiers from England are the best of modern Euro-instro. Their few CDs are simply fantastic, especially Return of the Rapiers and You're Never Alone With. But the Quiets are close behind. There was also a Swedish band called 1961 that was AMAZING. Did a bunch of originals which were astonishing. Oh, and the Mustangs from Finland - again, did many great originals. That's the cream of the traditional Euro-instro crop.
I too need to check out Los Twang Marvels, cuz I've heard really good things about them.
Wow, Los Twang! Marvels, what an amazing band! They just recorded a new one that's coming out this summer. I heard a few tracks - absolutely killer stuff! They have three CDs out: their debut EP, their debut full-length and a comp of those two with a bunch of extra new songs. All three are definitely worth getting, though I think the next one will blow all of their earlier stuff away. A really hot band with a lot of promise!
I also really dig the classic Euro bands, although not surf: The Shadows, The Spotnicks, etc...
I have tons of sixties Euro-instro, lots from Scandinavian countries, and I absolutely love it all. There were many other British instro bands that were contemporary with the Shadows - and that were very good, though their output tended to be much, MUCH smaller. But check out the Fentones, for example. And of course Jet Harris solo and with Tony Meehan.
I mentioned it in another thread, but I've been going absolutely gaga recently over the Jokers from Belgium. They recorded a lot between '64 and '67, and the stuff from '66 and '67 is not very good, so buyer beware. But their stuff from '64-'65 is often simply amazing. Double Crown right now carries their Best of Vol. 1 which is almost all really good stuff.
And then there's Los Relampagos from sixties Spain. What a creative band...
I better stop.
Ivan
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
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Last edited: Feb 06, 2008 22:40:38
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Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
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Posted on Feb 06 2008 10:37 PM
Ivan:
Thanks for the detailed info. That's good stuff. I need to check out The Rapiers and The Jokers.
Yeah, I don't consider the Quiets surf at all either, but I just think they're so compelling to listen to; even though they do all covers they really create a mood that not too many bands can.
— Ryan
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websurfer
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 1753
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:28 AM
Ruhar
Ivan:
Thanks for the detailed info. That's good stuff.
Indeed! Really appreciated.
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2367
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:31 AM
I'm a huge fan of Euro Surf. Besides all the great bands already
mentioned, I dig:
The Anacondas,
The Tremolo Beer Gut,
Tubestone,
The Bitch Boys,
The Bradipos IV,
Cosmanauti,
the Sleepwalkers,
and others that I'm sure that I'm forgetting.
Bob
— Bob
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Klas
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2307
Stockholm, Sweden
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 04:57 AM
websurfer
Do most of these bands seem to be from Germany, Scandanavia and Eastern Europe?
Actually, Scandinavia has never had that many surf bands. If talking quantity, I've got the impression that Spain is the European country with the largest number of bands today.
Two Scandinavian bands not mentioned yet:
The Barbwires (Sweden)
http://www.myspace.com/thebarbwires
The Mobsmen (Norway)
http://www.myspace.com/themobsmen
— T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:07 AM
http://home.planet.nl/~luca0004/start-frame.htmlclick on "links" ... no way is this complete, but it shows Germany's got the biggest boom which is my feeling too. Belgium surf was huge a few years back, I dont know how it is now, most bands that were doin' well like the hawaiian astro boys, dunlop devils and speedball jr. are still playing regularly afaict, but we dont get much belgians coming to dutch shows anymore, which used to be the case.
as far as euro-instro is concerned I think you really have to pull apart a few things. late 50's early 60's music (spotnicks, shadows kinda music) is like Ivan said much more melodic and also relaxed, gentle music, almost instro barbershop. the kids simply weren't very wild. this went on well into the 60's, I think it was biggest in France but I could be wrong. and indeed, the reverb never hit big. More towards the underground, at the same time tougher rougher wild music came about of course, in Indorock. imo this has much more to do with 1st wave surf because it was wild kids rock and roll music, I think Indorock was musically as wild as early surf a la Eddie and th Showman, and subculturally a lot wilder. (this is a guess though, Id be interested in any insights about alcohol and drug abuse among 1st wave surfers  )... anyway, Spotnicks - Tielman Brothers is pretty much like Andrew Sisters - Rolling stones. I think indorock's esp interesting cause it shows that it's not so much the lack of reverb tanks that makes (other) 'euro-instro' so mellow. I also have a hunch that euro instro was much more mainstream in Europe than indorock or surf in the states. probably due to he Shadows' influence.
fastorward to nowadays surf-scene: I think the surfscene here (i.e. my region: netherlands, germany, belgium, france) now is 95% US surf inspired, on average just a lot wilder and punkier. A band like the coffin daggers is pretty wild for US standards, but that kind of rock-ness to the sound is pretty average here. But, I might just have that impression because there are hardly older people playing it, and if they are it is a totally different scene. Surf's still very much a club scene.
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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D-D-boy
Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 584
Spain - Bilbao
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:25 AM
Brian
Another good band: Denmark's El Ray. More of a punked up, rip your head off, surf sound.
Brian..yes
EL RAY..is a very good band.....
— Skateboarding - "Gnarly Surf"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9xXTBH_KwE
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D-D-boy
Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 584
Spain - Bilbao
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:29 AM
about the sound..of the moder Euro surf..the punk influence....is Better then the Heavy inluence...
couse.....
I have little punk influence by JON BLAIR:....aand
SALCKTONE in the present....( Barracudas..or others too)
they are tjhe references to the Punk iunfluence i n the Euro Surf
— Skateboarding - "Gnarly Surf"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9xXTBH_KwE
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D-D-boy
Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 584
Spain - Bilbao
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:43 AM
Definitve...Euro Surf... for me..is ever loccking at Garje scene...
and is mixed in alot of places with the Garaje scene...
The Trsashmen..are normaly one of the first refereces..
to start a Surf band...
Of course that Twang Marvells ...not Garaje influence..this sound like Jokers..and Sputniks...and South America bands..
AND xABIER cUGAT...OR good old Dance Latin Bands
I ..listen THE TORMENTOS....INFLUENCE
When i Listen Twang Marvelsç
Biut El Ray..etc..etc..
ev er Garaje!!
— Skateboarding - "Gnarly Surf"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9xXTBH_KwE
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D-D-boy
Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 584
Spain - Bilbao
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:53 AM
and
FRANCE OLD REFERNCES????
i knwo that was very good bands i n the past..but i don,t remember in this moment
— Skateboarding - "Gnarly Surf"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9xXTBH_KwE
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D-D-boy
Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 584
Spain - Bilbao
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 06:57 AM
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Trode
Joined: Mar 03, 2006
Posts: 40
Ventura
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 08:31 AM
I cannot add much to Ivans list but a few other German bands are on my CD player. The Typhoons are still recording although their newest is not a "pro" CD. In their own words.....We like these recordings a lot so we decided to put it out by ourselfs as a kind of demo or lost recordings. Storm Tiger has mentioned Martin Schmidt and his band "the Razorblades" have some newer stuff "in the works. T. Marvels new album is much anticipated for sure.
One of my favorite Scandinavian band the Lunatics are still playing together but not planning a new recording anytime soon. Unsure of what is happening with the Beat Tornados but I am wearing out their CD's fast.
I feel fortunate to have Wannes giving us the "real" story about Holland-Belgium-Germany in regards to the popularity of surf bands. I will add one more request for to the mix. Wannes, CD please! Speaking of Belgium....... (I hope I do not cause a Mermen vs Surf discussion) A very nice bunch of gentlemen in Belgium have a Mermen inspired side band called "Tritones" Very melodic and almost ambient at times. I hope that Europe will continue to push the envelope of surf inspired music like in the nineties.
Just my 2 scents
Trode
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Serpico
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Posts: 443
Falun Sweden
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 09:48 AM
it would be cool if someone put out a compilation with Eurosurf vs USsurf 
— The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier.
www.myspace.com/tumbleweedofsurf
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2684
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Feb 07 2008 12:11 PM
Kahuna Kawentzmann, formerly of the Looney Tunes in Germany, is putting out some excellent music too. The TIKI & the GUITAR is a very nice blend of vintage sounds with modern arrangements, definitely 21st Century but swings like the 60s.
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2684
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Feb 14 2008 12:11 PM
Doug,
how is their (the Razorblades) sound moving away from what they were?
heavier. or more Trad.?
I think they are more trad now but still pretty wild sounding on the 7" vinyl they recently released. They are now a 3-piece and I think the new drummer is female. I have extra copies of the vinyl, if anyone is interested, PM me.
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tired
Joined: Sep 03, 2006
Posts: 332
Herten - Germany
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Posted on Feb 15 2008 11:48 AM
http://home.planet.nl/~surfins-back-again
check out this page, here you´ll find lots of enjoyable and good surf bands from Europe and their output.
yours truly
Ruediger
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bitchboysi
Joined: Dec 28, 2006
Posts: 76
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Posted on Feb 28 2009 05:43 AM
Great idea on US -EURO SURF COMP. The only question- WHO WILL RELEASE IT?
bye robi
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WhorehayRFB
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
Posts: 3331
Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted on Sep 17 2010 01:43 PM
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planish
Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 473
Sackville, New Brunswick
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Posted on Sep 22 2010 08:31 PM
What? No mention of Dave and the Pussies, from (I think) Austria?
As they put it, "Motorhead meets The Shadows".
— I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.
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