someone felt the need to post a critique of the 'East Coast/NY surf scene" in COWABUNGA Yahoo; here is the original post:

_I think part of the problem is that Surf on the East Coast has
reached the saturation level. There are just too many shows, with
(it seems like) the same 15 bands.

I hate to say it, but I think the Surf music scene here in NY has
gotten boring. Most of the bands sound the same, alot of the same
songs get played, alot of guys in the bands play too loud.

Perhaps whats needed is a rest........maybe no Shindigs for 3 months
or so??_

I responded with this:

_EXCUSE ME?

my SHINDIGs will continue, unabated

people are still jamming the place, and diggin' the scene

I guess that obviously does not include you; if you find it boring,
then for you, it's boring. period. cool.

everyone's take on this is different

as long as there is a demand and a joyous response from people who
show up at OTTO's (and other venues) for my shows, and those being put
on by BOB D and BLUE STINGRAYE, then HELL....the live shows will go on
indefinitely....

and it's not 'saturation' that causes bands to pull out of shows, it's
that 'life happens', people have 'real jobs', family issues, other
priorites.....

outside of a few bands, if one is playing surf music 'for a living'
then that person is probably homeless

but thx for the comment_

and then MIKE 'STACCATO' ROSADO of THE 9th WAVE added this:

_Hey All,

I just wanted to add my point of view from a performer/band that
every so often I get the urge to drive 3.5 hours each way to play a
45-minute set at Ottos Shrunken Head Tiki Bar for "Unsteady Freddie's
Surf Shindig".

First off, I'm probably one of those bands that play too loud, fast
and not very traditional to boot. 2nd we just so happen to be playing
2 shows within the same month at Otto's which is very rare for 9th
Wave, but the lineup for the evening was to good too pass up and I
was looking forward to ...putting the hammer down. Playing at Otto's
on a surf night is fun and I get to hang out/drink with other surf
bands and fans. 9th Wave played the opening night of Otto's Shrunken
Head a few years back and many of the bands that play now, will often
jump at the opportunity to play there again. Surf nights are a good
way to play with other bands, learn, hear new music and / or get
schooled.

As far as the East Coast surf scene "reaching the saturation level",
I have to agree with USF, the room at Otto's is always filled and
with people standing in the hallway entrance just to catch a band.
Most of the bands continue to improve and show off their original
tunes and some don't, no different than any other city, event or
country.

I've been playing surf-instruments for a number of years now and have
taken an active role to help stimulate the return and exposure of
surf music on the Atlantic / Eastern side of the U.S by creating The
North-East Surf music Alliance (NESMA), with approx 80 bands within
the network. Some bands are able to travel farther than others, some
shows are not posted or promoted heavily like USF does, but they
happen. When surf nights stop happening and when a city or town gives
it a rest, the interest and new potential fans die off and then you
have no surf music.

So, you as a band or fan will always have an opportunity to pick and
choose whether you stay in or go out and support your local surf
scene. In many areas of our country, people don't even get live surf
shows. With Dick Dale not touring, it makes it even harder.

New York City is lucky to have "Unsteady Freddie's Surf Shindig" and
someone who is willing to give you, and me, new, young and surf bands
outside the city or state the opportunity to perform and play (no
turf wars or locals only) at a really cool Tiki Bar.

From the surf side,

Mike – 9th Wave_

I thought I'd throw this out there, b/c some surf music shows are much better attended than others, right? I mean, in S. Calif., especially, there is so so much surf music (don't get me wrong, I am JEALOUS! and I cannot get enough wet reverb, personally). I think what I set out to do 4 years ago is humming along real nice in NYC; we have a legitimate "regular surf scene" for those who dig playing and checking out the music live. For that I am quite proud. And I have grown with so many bands, watched some improve their presentations, and, what's really important, helped nurture them, and then to see they started writing original material and not just be surf cover bands (although I have no problems with those bands whatsoever, it's just great to hear neo-surf as interpreted by the bands of today).

Wonder if people on either or both coasts feel, or have ever felt in recent times, if there is or was an "oversaturation" of live instro surf?

Looking forward to some responses,

UNSTEADY FREDDIE

http://www.facebook.com/unsteady.freddie

What over saturation....imo, too many cover bands doing Mustang Sally and Freebird (great songs though they be)...

www.northofmalibu.com

That's why we play just once a year and know that we'll get a good crowd...
Just kidding, that isn't the reason, but there is something to be said for the "special occasion" of it all.

http://www.satanspilgrims.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satans-Pilgrims/8210228553
https://satanspilgrims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.surfyindustries.com

Perhaps over saturation at the tried and true surf venues. The trick is to find gigs at places that one doesn't hear surf music normally. I know, easier said than done.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

If the shows keep drawing them then I wouldn't think there's an oversaturation, that argument is pretty plain to see.

While I didn't go to many shows while I was up in the NESMA area, I was a little frustrated, and it's not really the bands' faults. In fact, what the 9th Wave has done in creating NESMA is really great and I only wish we could pull something off like that here on the gulf coast. But maybe what the guy was getting at is that the bands are all kinda samey. In an exciting time like this for surf music when you have The Barbwires backed with strings, Messer Chups using samples, Pollo Del Mar doing their Pollo Del Mar thing, middle eastern, western, space, spy, horror, jet-set themes, a lot of the NESMA surf is straight trad.

My pal Rockabilly Willy would come back from a show and say "oh man I heard them play Walk Don't Run and I just couldn't believe it man". Those are great, and Connecticut has more than enough nostalgia culture to fuel that. I miss the hot rod cruises etc. down here in New Orleans! But I can see how that could frustrate some people who want to hear something kooky and kitschy.

Maybe I'm misintrepreting here, especially considering that USF's scene might be totally different, but of the two shows I've been to down here with the only bands we've GOT (Spring Break Shark Attack and The Bills/The Unnaturals) it's a much different scene, albeit less unified. Younger, more diverse sounds, playing with bands from different genres.

I'm sure these events are probably a labor of love already, but maybe what you need is a little bit of imported talent. Connecticut might be a hard bargain, but I caught the Messer Chups in New York, all the way from Russia. Get some European groups in the mix. It might be costly but they might enjoy visiting New York and you might draw a newer crowd. Get some headliners!

Blue Stingraye, Mike Risatto, Bobby D: all great people, devoted figures that are really making something great out of what they've got up there. Even if I never got to attend any of Blue or Bobby D's shows (I regret it), it was exciting just knowing it was going on. Keep up the good work. USF, over in New York I never got to experience your end of the Northeast scene, but it sounds like you've got the same thing going.

Do you see what I mean, though? I think you and the CT crew are all playing towards a certain crowd a and that guy is a crowd b. There's probably more crowd a, or at least we've established that there's certainly enough, but then again crowd a would probably still enjoy something catered towards crowd b.

Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio

How fortunate you all are to be saturated with surf shows. Try living in Australia, where in the 28 years I have been going to gigs, I can't say I've ever been to a show that's all just surf instro bands.

Sure, surf bands exist here of course but I think even in the major cities in Australia you'd be struggling to get 3 or 4 instro bands at the one time who could share a bill.

Lucky Americans!

http://www.reverbnation.com/spaceparty4

Oversaturated on the west and east coasts? Not here on the Third Coast...we haven't even hit "GO".

https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/

It's hard to make new fans in a genre that takes a certain kind of personality to "get" in the first place. So we do over-saturate our scenes that feed on the same audience group. When we get to do a show that draws from outside our fan base, we hear a lot of "why aren't more people here?" folks enjoy the vibe and the music, but don't come out every time it happens.

You can ignore the following off topic rant:

Ultimately I think society has become very self-centered. It doesn't take skills to be famous anymore, look at "The Hills", Or American Idol... Average people finding fame. Another example is that the DJ scene is not about the music, it's about the participants. To enjoy a band one has to let the spotlight be on someone else. These days that just doesn't fly like it used to. Unless parents go back to raising "well rounded" people who know how to play an instrument, know history, and appreciate art, this trend will continue.

ON an even more tangental note, I really feel sorry for the black music legacy... I imagine that Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington take one rotation in the grave for every dollar Puff Daddy makes. In a society that valued skills it didn't take money to be famous. IT came with the skills. And they took their people to a whole new level of respect. Now respect seems to be about intimidation, Come on... is hip hop really music?

Sorry I digress.

THe NEpTuNeS

I would LOVE to have a so-called
oversaturation of surf music in my area!

Mournblade....

maybe we can put our energies 2/gether + package a surf show in your area?

feel free to reach out to me,

schizofredric@yahoo.com

UNSTEADY FREDDIE

http://www.facebook.com/unsteady.freddie

over saturation?? maybe on the east and west coasts but on the gulf coast and here on the big muddy no way! i know spskins plays in a memphis {?} surf band and i know of a few bands that might play a surf tune or two 'round here but it is mostly country or rap or modern rock bands and a few oldies bands.
what we have here is a massive lack of interest in surf music. trying to find musicians that will play surf is definitely difficult here and finding a gig is just as tough. ya'll on the coasts are damn lucky to have venues to ply your trade!! the gulf coast isn't much better than here i'm told. it's not impossible but monkeys fly easier than a surf band gigs 'round here.
i envy the patrons and players of surf music on the east and west coasts cuz ya'll got the bands and venues!!! please keep it up for the rest of us that aren't so fortunate