May Birthdays 
A few years back I found those "Surf Music #1-5" compilations on youtube. One song (they were all great btw, highly recommended playlists)kind of blew my socks off. I think I asked here and I was able to find out the name of the song. "Big Surf" by the Longboards. I thought that was a killer, killer song.
So I go off and purchase the album "Big Surf" and played that a bit. On iTunes the track listing names were all mixed up, so other than the Ventures cover and the Link Wray tribute tune, I sort of gave up trying to get the song titles down. The album impressed me. I dug their energy and kind of loose sound, if that makes sense. Lots of noise. Mixed very loud though!
So I attend the SG101 convention for the first time this year. Most of the time I was outside hiding, because my Dad (I took him along, he remembered Dick Dale but was otherwise new to surf music) and he bought about $200 worth of raffle tickets. So our numbers get called quite a bit and I nab a Longboards CD (I apologize for forgetting the album title). After several more raffle winnings (thank god I didn't get a guitar) I just succumb to my embarrassment, feeling probably unrcessarily self conscious for winning so much stuff, when I'd be happier having more people (besides myself) win things...
So I'm outside and there is Alfredo and the other gent. Our mission is to find the nearest gas station to buy more smokes and energy drinks. No luck there, but it was cool walking around with them for a bit. Later in the day, after their set, we just chatted and I told them how much I dug them. I was impressed by how welcoming and accomodating people in the surf scene seemed to be making sure the bands that travelled from other countries felt comfortable and welcomed. And at the end of their set, everyone could sense the gratitude they felt onstage when they brought out the American flag.
So thanks to everyone for being so great at that event. It's kind of strange to walk into a community where you feel kind of new and awkward. But the people there were so great. I think it was (Ivan?) who fixed my shirt collar while I was ordering (another) beer. Nice little gestures like that and so on...meeting Paul Johnson was also something special.
But back to the Longboards, whatever CD I ended up with from them (I think it's a newer one); one word: ACE!
And my dad loves Boss Fink now. ;)
Peace
Nick
Last edited: Sep 10, 2015 23:51:29
