February Birthdays 
Phil Dirt did a terrific review of the Urban Surf Kings' new
CD, "Bang Howdy Partner" on Reverb Central.
Congratulations to Mike and the band! 
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
Urban Surf Kings - Bang Howdy Partner
This is a splendid album! The songs are incredibly well written and arranged, and the whole CD flows very well. There's a great deal of western and surf and reverb here that are just plain compelling. Musically as solid as they come, Bang Howdy Partner is a must have. I'm a bit prejudiced perhaps, because Adam Myers and I mastered it, and I only work with bands I like a lot. When you listen to songs as much as is required to master or mix and they still sound fresh and compelling when the work is done, well then, you really have something special. Highly recommended.
Picks: Muchos Diablos, Hrundi Goes West, Johnny Ronco's Last Stand, And The Horse You Rode In On, Old Caliente, Wigwam, Phantom Riders Of The Backlot, Six-Gun Party, Almeria, Cowboy X, Rumble Ranchero, Stampeedo, Tombstone Swagger, Showdown At Sundown, Renegade
Muchos Diablos
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Muchos Diablos" is a rousing romp through western surf. Its melody is rich and infectious. The compelling nature of the melody is met by the warmth of the break, which dips into very low note territory. Then, the muted verse ensues, and you totally hooked. Great for a ride along the mighty Colorado or along that cliff overlooking the curl.
Hrundi Goes West
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
What a cool song. Playful, yet just mysterious enough to keep your attention throughout. "Hrundi Goes West" is totally compelling. Mid stream, it drops into middle eastern imagery with a demented sound. It goes through a number of changes, almost as if they are scenes in a movie. What a superb piece of music!
Johnny Ronco's Last Stand
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Rich western twang and galloping drums present a song with significant spaghetti western influences. "Johnny Ronco's Last Stand" is a solid number with drama and flow.
And The Horse You Rode In On
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
This is on the faster side, with a familiar feeling melody, but only by reference. Several changes transpire, all of which add drama and scenery. "And The Horse You Rode In On" is a wonderful dripping reverb passion play.
Old Caliente
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Rich tone and dripping springs, along with tremolo shimmer, deliver a melody that's right out of the late fifties Mediterranean pop song play book. This is a beautifully written piece that's well arranged and played. The surf idiom really makes this shine.
Wigwam
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Grand muted reverb opens "Wigwam," a song with a deluxe galloping beat and surf whammy chords. It engages you, delights you, and sure does work well on a topdown drive. Very cool guitar work throughout, along with glissandos and drama. Very visual!
Phantom Riders Of The Backlot
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Rolling tom toms, rich twang, a traveling melody, and dribbling double picked leads. Yeah, there's all that and more. "Phantom Riders Of The Backlot" is a fine example of sophisticated arranging and writing that are well within the surf genre. The midsection is delicate and moody and fluid.
Six-Gun Party
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Preceded by a clicky Hawaiian steel and ukulele instro, you're lulled into a sense of an island holiday, but when the melody turns to reverb and bass and drums, it's all cowboys and spunk. There's no holding "Six-Gun Party" when you're on that drive along the coast. Light hearted, but not light weight at all. Very cool.
Almeria
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Swimming whammy chords bring on cool bass lines and drums, and a Dick Dale-ish lead guitar. Superb playing, very good writing, and genuine spaghetti surf. "Almeria" is one grand song!
Cowboy X
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Gently flowing Italian western melody and rock solid bass and drums combine as "Cowboy X" rides into your daydreams, guiding you across an open desert where life remains undiscovered. It's a fine song, with great surf guitar, desert imagery, and dramatic passages.
Rumble Ranchero
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Long chords and bass rumble warm of risk in a darkened arroyo. There's the expected Link Wray references, but "Rumble Ranchero" is much more western than that would imply. When the stereo warble of the fast tremolo break ensues, your taken off guard, but soon enough, it all makes sense. Very cool!
Stampeedo
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Opening with the kind of snappy guitar lines first pioneered by Armageddon in "Buzzard," this song drops right into a rompin' cowboy epic with more charm than most. By the middle, it's all country all the time, then back to the reverb range. Greta drums on this one.
Tombstone Swagger
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Slow very low notes like Jet Harris and Tony Meehan used to get. Tuned down to the basement, the lead guitar trembles with tremolo and gutty dirt. Oh the reverb is so sultry this way, and the slow double picked dribbles and pick strikes! "Tombstone Swagger" is wholly original and nasty. Wow!
Showdown At Sundown
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Great western imagery flows from "Showdown At Sundown" as if it was written in Arizona on the high plains. This is a totally beautiful western epic with sweeping imagery and emotional hook. A bit moody, cowboy cool, and that intense slide!
Renegade
Spaghetti Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Renegade" fades up gradually to a dripping reverb anthem that's irresistible. Pure surf with western twinges and muted reverb rhythm. It's a fairly slow moving piece of music that's gently satisfying while sporting grand subtle power. Wonderfully written and played.
Bob
