Thanks a lot for sharing this with us Birki.
Just wonder why you didn´t insist that in surf music there is one instrument dominent: the "surf" guitar.
Or was the question concerning only your goupp´s appearance??
Ruediger

... and - I translated it. All mistakes and awkward formulations are the fault of google translate!

A little bit more grumpiness: BALU & DIE SURFGRAMMELN

The Viennese family quartet BALU & DIE SURFGRAMMELN adds the capitals own morbid note of coquettish lamenting and eccentric carelessness to Surf Music. A pretty wacky interview with WOLFI GRAMML, one quarter of the quartet.

How became Balu & die Surfsgrammeln one of the most important bands of Viennese Surf Rock?

Wolfi Gramml: We're a family band, something like the evil Kelly Family of the 6. district. My wife Kathi plays bass, our son Balu is the drummer and rhythm guitarist Max is the brother I never had. Balu and I once came to the conclusion that we would like to play together. My wife is a trained baroque viola player so it was logical for her to play fretless bass. And since all of us are outstanding singers, it was natural to take an instrumental genre.

How much of a surfer is in each of you?

Wolfi Gramml: (laughs) None of us ever stood on a surfboard, therefore certainly not much. Attitudewise of course we are all tanned, blonde beach people with rock hard muscles.

Where to surf in Vienna at all?

Wolfi Gramml: I'm from Simmering (a not-so-glamourous suburb of Vienna), so I grew up with the surf image. The lush clapping the surf of the Danube Canal (a not-so glamourous spillway of river Danube) still sounds in my ear. There one could try surfing of course.

What makes the Viennese version of Surf Rock?

Wolfi Gramml: She's a little bit more grumpy. Usually, the genre is played with a very clean guitars and has rather sharp tones. With us it's more sinister, loud and nagging.

As you are a family band, do you also take these roles with a clear hierarchy?

Wolfi Gramml: Of course everyone has an equal voice. But in the end I am always insulted by all others. So it is like a family. I am always to blame for everything.

Surf Rock is a music form rather neutral and democratic, not an instrument really pushing themselves to the forefront. Is that part of your self-image?

Wolfi Gramml: The fact that there is no front man in the band is quite interesting. Due to the absence of a singer you have to look after each other much more. That is the very special when playing instrumental rock 'n' roll.

Since when members play the members of Balu & die Surfgrammeln their respective instruments?

Wolfi Gramml: I started playing guitar at the age of 14, as a teenager. I mainly played hard rock and garage punk. My wife, as a professional musician, plays an instrument since she can remember. Balu has started to play drums at the age of twelve, so he is also in business for a while.

Interestingly, some of the song titles like "The sad pork rind" or "The decomposition of soup pearls". What is the specific message?

Wolfi Gramml: It's true, we have a strong gastronomic component in our oeuvre. For us it is insanely important that our songs deal with edible stuff.

Your number "Comanche" is to be understood as a hommage to the Shadows classic "Apache"?

Wolfi Gramml: No, it is a hommage to the Revels song "Comanche", the original is actually played with saxophone. The number is also in Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction".

Do you identify yourself with the classic US bands?

Wolfi Gramml: Well, the songs we play are modeled similar to the original songs and are reinterpretations of the classics. In this respect, these are certainly direct precedents, even if we make it contemporary. Most of the old bands that most people do not know anymore have also not played purely instrumental. This is a later trend which emerged in the last 30 years.

Balu & die Surfgrammeln are musically active for about three years. What experience do you have now in terms of dealing with music in Austria?

Wolfi Gramml: With a fairly exotic genre but it is not really easy to make money. I have not heard of many that do so - and the scene is quite closely linked. But since for us the music is a hobby and a mission, we are less dependent of royalties and so on. It is a passion. I never really expected to be played all day on Radio Arabella (a rather pathetic local radio station).

How does a newcomer raise at least regional awareness and gigs?

Wolfi Gramml: You have to play gigs, and there you have to give your best without lowering your guard. A certain level of professionalism is necessary. And it depends on the genre. Our music is certainly not extremely popular, but everyone knows "Pulp Fiction" and that is considered cool and funny by many people. That's how it works for us, but it still remains a hobby.

The Balu from The Jungle Book is known for being quite laid back. Is that your motto or do you work towards certain goals?

Wolfi Gramml: What we do is actually not so laid back. We put an emphasis on trying our best to play accurately. And we also work relatively hard on our numbers. This is somehow funny taking into account that a song barely lasts longer than two minutes. A three-minute song is already to be regarded as a symphony.

http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10

Last edited: Mar 28, 2015 11:39:22