mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5305
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 09:38 AM
oestmann
Add me to the Aussie -who- likes- surf -guitar list - from way down South Australia; let me know if you're passing through!
I was very very fortunate to see 'live' Midnight Oil, Hoodoo Gurus, Hunters and Collectors (even got to be a roadie for them one night - friendly people), Paul Kelly and Mental as Anything...and The Atlantics of course (the new line up). I don't think I knew at the time how 'classic' a lot of these bands were.
There is a real strong 'surf' element in all these bands. I think it's in our beach psyche (I hope that is how you spell 'psyche') 
these are all such good bands. the only one i've had the pleasure of seeing live is midnight oil. they are all 'classic' bands.
— www.surfintheeye.com
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2683
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 11:18 AM
Stormtiger
- you mentioned you saw Midnight Oil rehearse - what was the occasion?
I love this story as much as my mobile Joe Strummer encounter on Sunset Blvd!
For the Diesel & Dust tour The Oils played in Santa Barbara at the Arlington Theater. The day before the show I went there while my girlfriend was interviewing Peter Garret at their motel. I met Rob Hirst at the back door and being such a nice guy he invited me in to watch them "bang around" without Garret. They played a lot of old songs just to loosen up. I sat alone in the front row center. Their guest trumpet player "Garfield" from New Zealand came out and chatted with me, he only played on a couple of songs. They remain the most exciting live band I ever saw.
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25570
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 11:49 AM
Its always kinda funny to me, (and no offense to you guys please)
that I can have a 45 and a cd by a band,GT stringer, and some of you have not heard of them.
it really bums me out, how underground surf music is.
every step is a fight to get noticed by the public.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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websurfer
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 1753
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 12:28 PM
Since we're talking about Australian bands, I don't think anyone has mentioned another great band from that time, Crowded House. I think "Don't Dream It's Over" is one of the finest pop songs ever written. Even though the Finn brothers were from NZ, I'm pretty sure they were considered an Australian band.
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2683
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 12:58 PM
Even though the Finn brothers were from NZ, I'm pretty sure they were considered an Australian band.
I doubt the Finn brothers would agree. I always thought of Crowded House as Split Enz Light. The songs were very catchy and pleasing but lacked the depth of the Enz and Neil's solo work. Schnell Fenster is another good one that a friend brought me from New Zealand. They are members of the Swingers and Split Enz. Fun but shortlived.
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Waxhead
Joined: Oct 07, 2007
Posts: 43
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Posted on Apr 01 2008 04:54 PM
Hey Oestmann,
Great to hear your enjoying exploring surf music. regarding the Delightful Rain TV show, Les of the Denvermen was on that program and that is the tune tabbed by Spud. A lovely tune.
I can understand you havent come across GT Stringer, they are semi active, but well worth getting some of their cds or finding out when next they play down your way. They have a very powerful sound, with baritone sax. Jim Redgate their guitarist makes guitars (mainly accoustic in Adelaide).
It is harder in Australia I think to come across great bands and music (surf) with most radio stations playing top 40. We dont really have the the specialist radio stations like in the US or Europe, particulalry in Regional areas. But the Internet is making this a bit easier. Community radio is probably the best bet and some ABC FM.
Midnight Oil are (were) a powerful band with Peter Garrett lurching around the stage in his amazing style. I got to see them at a number of pubs in the Illawarra in the mid eighties (along with other now classic then 'just a band' to see INXS, Angels, Hoodoo Gurus, Go Betweens etc etc). At a Midnight Oil concert there was always the chance that you could end up with a drum stick or lose an eye as Rob Hirst would bounce his drum sticks off the floor tom? or snare? into the crowd, towards the end of the gig. But check out their tune Wedding Cake Island (on Bird Noises I think). A great surf tune worthy of covering.
In Australia we accept New Zealanders as Australians IF and oly IF they are successful! So Split Enz and Crowded House could be seen as Australians! Split Enz were a bit more Avant Garde and 70s and 80s before moving into Crowded House as you say Stormtiger and a different direction musically and theatrically.
Re Bigtikidudes comment about how unknown surf music is. I was going through some vinyl in a second hand shop in Sydney and came across a 45 by a band called The Stonefish from the mid 80s. I dont think it had been played! Sounds great and guitarist was Dom Mariani of the Stems and now 20 years later in another Australian surfband called Dom Mariani and the Majestic Kelp (He's been doing it for 20+ years and I only found out a couple of years ago!). Their cd 'Music to Chase Cars By' has some great tunes and for those who like fuzzed out surf worthy of a listen. Maybe some of our Australian bands could be on the next podcast?? GT Stringer, Dom, Atlantics would all be worthy considerations.
Cheers
Waxhead
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on Apr 02 2008 04:20 AM
Stormtiger's experience with Midnight Oil is a privilege for sure. I've heard similar reports of them being approachable people - which makes the music sound a little sweeter when you listen to it. I drove past Martin Rotsey and an unidentified woman walking down an Adelaide street - next night he was screeching his guitar in front of thousands.(Not quite the same immediate experience as Stormtigers, I admit) Maybe we can hear the Joe Strummer story soon too!
The Midnight Oil - 'wow' happened to me when a friend played the first track from the Bird Noises EP ("some kids") very loud and then when "Wedding Cake Island" came on, I couldn't believe me ears - it all sounded sooooooo goood!
I'll keep an eye out for GT Stringer music, now that I know about it.
...and Echobeach, if you are still reading this thread; if we lived a little closer, I would surely jam with you!
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on Apr 03 2008 03:27 PM
...and Echobeach, if you are still reading this thread; if we lived a little closer, I would surely jam with you!
Thanks oestemann that would be cool, meanwhile I'll repost my add
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on Apr 03 2008 03:31 PM
Hi fellow surfers Im looking to put together or join a group of surf-instrumental players to develop a combination of original material + some covers. I am looking for a drummer, bass player, and guitarist for this project .I have good gear, PA, transport and a nice selection of Hawaiian shirts.
Im looking for mature players who are willing to practice for eventual gigs in the Brisbane and SEQ area. the emphasis is on recruiting keen players who enjoy playing this style of music,. If interested please contact me with your basic details.
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2683
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 03 2008 05:03 PM
Maybe we can hear the Joe Strummer story soon too!
Part II. Two nights after the Santa Barbara show we went to see the Oils again at the Hollywood Palladium. We had counterfit backstage passes. After the show we had all access and hung out with The Divinyls singer, some Crowded House and Hunters & Collectors guys. Bono was there too. While Garrett , Hirst and Moginie were being mobbed, Rotsey and Bones hung out with us.
Joe Strummer: I was driving down Sunset Blvd. listening to the Clash and I looked at the car next to me, it was Strummer in the passenger seat of a convertible. He looked at me and I said I had the Clash on. He sat up on the back of his seat with a big smile and yelled "turn it up!" and he played air guitar. We waved and parted ways. Hollywood!
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on Apr 04 2008 05:19 AM
"Cool!" is probably the appropriate response 
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on Apr 22 2008 06:34 AM
Well I now have a guitar player,Were gonna work as a 2 piece till we can get
a bass and drummer.
Marty
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on Apr 28 2008 11:01 PM
Were gonna work as a 2 piece
Well, echobeach, you've currently doubled the members I have in my current band
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on May 18 2008 09:10 AM
It's alright, though, I make my own friends by over dubbing myself a few times. It's a sort of audio- cloning... 
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on May 22 2008 10:14 AM
I'm back to one member now, time to dust off the midi player.
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on May 23 2008 04:12 AM
Hey Echobeach,
I'm not a great fan of lots of midi - probably because a lot of the older sounds were just pops and squeaks and eyebrow raising rumbles, however, I do still use it sometimes (out of necessity) - and I hear it's got a lot better but haven't tried the new stuff yet.
My current lifestyle doesn't lend me playing in a regular band so instead of sitting there frustrated to the max, I decided to go ahead and do it myself. It doesn't match playing in a real band but at least the software doesn't get drunk and vomit in the back of your amp 
Let us know when you've uploaded any of your tunes...
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on May 24 2008 05:04 PM
Hi Oestemann
only one tune up on myspace for now, I've been still playing out in public Jamming, Wednesdays I play acoustic (unplugged rock/with vocals) Fridays its rock classics, mean and loud at one of the roughest pubs in Brisbane.
I find most musos tend to shy away from surf music ,not the old guys though.
Sometimes I'll play semi solo rendition of Pacifica with a drummer and blow them away. Then it's on, they all want Apache, wipe out and then Pipeline.
Sure beats the blues or the tired old covers that everybody else plays at jam nights.
Marty
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on May 24 2008 10:01 PM
Marty
That's great that you're taking your chances to play. I'm hoping to play live again one day soon; but it won't happen immediately.
I lived in Brisbane in the late 1980's, so I bet you're pub is in what you people call "the valley"!
I parked my car there once and was actually surprised to find it still there when I came back.
I'm not a purist but I was the 'surf man' in my old rock band, so we got to play Apache, Pipeline, Wipe Out, FBI - which people always danced to and was a lot of fun to play.
I get sick of all the dark stuff;surf music is fun happy music. Play on man!
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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echobeach
Joined: May 21, 2007
Posts: 220
Redland City, Australia
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Posted on May 24 2008 10:20 PM
My Friday pub gig is in the outer suburbs, at the Koala Tavern in Capalaba.
Wednesdays it's the Stones Corner Hotel.I'm sure you've got similar watering holes In your part of Australia.
Marty
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oestmann
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Posts: 584
Adelaide
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Posted on May 24 2008 10:33 PM
Marty
I had a knife pulled on me at one of our own illusterious watering holes a few years back (I wasn't being a smart mouth either, it was unprovoked!). It would have been safer on stage I think. I'm not sure where Capalaba is - I'll look it up. I'm too tender to play in "thems-are-fighting-words" clubs nowdays. Keep up the good work Marty -you're batting for all of us!
Tim
— Tim O
oestmann guitar
tunes
clips
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