Yeah, I've often heard us referred to as 'Pulp Fiction' or 'Tarantino' music too. I don't think it's a bad thing. Oops - same icon...

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.

I'd say Pulp Fiction remains a reference point for "describing" Surf to younger people, since so many uninitiated people have no other reference or have never heard of the "style" in its original context. I simply call it twangy, reverberated instrumental rock you hear on alot of commercials. Some people still get the reference to Dick Dale or The Ventures, although that's getting rare.

Pulp Fiction was simply the most recent pop culture reference to the Surf style that got any meaningful attention. And, it did help create club and fan interest. So when the bands showed up, a scene developed. For example, during the 90s, I still remember Satans Pilgrims playing to a packed house at The Kilowatt in San Fran. But as Sean implied in a recent post, do you think this happened because it was an unpromoted event -- uh no. In fact, I may still have the poster. Adding promo fuel to the fire makes the scene happen in a big way. Our modern promoters know this all too well-- thank you Ferenc, USFreddie and all the rest.

Does Pulp Fiction create that kind of pull on its own 14 years later? of course not. But, as I've said before, Surf is now a self-sustaing style within rock and has worldwide interest and support from fans and bands. For that, you must tribute all those who have come before and contributed their pieces of history. I am simply awaiting the next "Pulp Fiction" or pop culture phenomenon to raise Surf's pop consciousness once again. And...it'll happen again!

-bIG wAvE Dave
Bass, The Aquamarines
http://www.myspace.com/theebigwavedave
http://www.myspace.com/theaquamarines

Klas
Anyone else think Pulp Fiction is to blame for the weak state of surf music today?

I blame the lack of 1963-ness nowadays, personally.

Well, that and the Beatles.

SSIV

estreet

Kawentzmann

estreet
Yeah, I've often heard us referred to as 'Pulp Fiction' or 'Tarantino' music too. I don't think it's a bad thing.

It’s a reference to something somebody fabricated. A movie’s presence in people’s consciousness is going to vanish eventually. It’s kind of a shame, since surf was THE original music associated with a subcultural lifestyle.

All the works of mankind are fabricated. All things will vanish eventually (Existential Pause) .....

But seriously, we are talking pop culture here whether we talk about Surf or Tarantino. And pop culture is in a post-modern dilemma whereby what was once rebellious has now been brought to the bosom of the mainstram canon and regarded as 'classic', and It's impossible for anything to be both dangerous and classic.

Once upon a time The Impressionists were the punks of art - upsetting everyone with their hastily painted pictures of the working-class. Now their pictures adorn chocolate boxes and gift-sets for old ladies.

Also, when I visit London I see gangs of outrageously dressed punks around Westminster bridge and Big Ben. Their Mohicans and bondage gear are there not to shock - but beacause American and Japanese tourists pay them to take their photographs. They make a good living.

Nothing can remain of Surf Music's original attachment to a subculture now. Such is the way of the world. In fact I would say that if anything, being associated with Tarantino refreshed its subcultural status for a while. But eventually just the music will remain - fortunately it is good music.

I’m sorry, but it’s not so simple. A great wiggle will always be a great wiggle. Music to make people buy more stuff at the supermarket will always sound the same, and music that makes you sad will always make somebody sad and so on. Talk of postmodernism, or redefined paradigms is not of great help in learning about cultural phenomena.
I didn’t say sixties surf music referred to something man-made. And if the scene in southern california was man-made however, it was not created by decision of a singular movie director.
But many your observations are correct, I just wanted to make clear they can’t soften my previous post. What kids in 1961 had, that we lack, they created whatever subculture they thought should be there but wasn’t.

The Exotic Guitar of Kahuna Kawentzmann

You can get the boy out of the Keynes era, but you can’t get the Keynes era out of the boy.

Pulp Fiction really freaked me out the first time I saw it. Made me feel kinda sick... or was that the KFC that I ate earlier that night. The only reason I wanted to see it was because of the surf music.

If all we do is blame certain things that have already happened on why the surf music scene sucks now days, how will it get any better? If shows are sucking, we need to promote better. If venues are sucking, we should start better venues. If the music sucks, I guess we're screwed.

Kawentzmann
I’m sorry, but it’s not so simple. A great wiggle will always be a great wiggle. Music to make people buy more stuff at the supermarket will always sound the same, and music that makes you sad will always make somebody sad and so on. Talk of postmodernism, or redefined paradigms is not of great help in learning about cultural phenomena.

Surely that's exactly what postmodernism is about. Spawned as it was from the belief that modernist culture failed to provide any answers or improve anything.

I think that music that makes you buy stuff is perhaps a cultural phenomena but music making you sad is a more profound emotional response. That's old-fashioned of me, I know many have argued that even our emotional responses are are cultural phenomena and there is no such thing as human nature, but I'm not sure I can go with that beyond a certain point.

However, I do agree that we (or rather 'kids today' if I have to use that phrase) lack what kids in 1961 (or 1966 or 1976 for that matter) had. In fact I'm amazed at current day complacency in just about every age group. Hard to imagine anyone creating a subculture today.

theendlesssurfari
I don't understand the complaining. In the end it is entertainment. So let the Music entertain you or listen to something else.

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone's stinks but yours.

What are forums for if not to complain and be opinionated? We have to talk about something

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.