This was posted on a Surf group on Facebook today.

"Now. Moving on to another point Mr. [ ] addressed, the issue of the idolization of surf bands emanating from Europe. What the hell is going on? Surf bands from Europe touring the United Sates. Why the hell do we need to hear an imitation brought from a foreign country that emulates American music!!!!! Why the interest? Southern California musicians crated [sic] the genre. Why the interest in emulators? Yeah, put an exotic babe on stage with her bass playing along with a couple guys playing loud, obnoxious noise. That is not what surf music is!!!! Why do we need to import copycats when we have original musicians right here in the USA? There is a plethora of talented musicians right here in the United States of America, some that go back to the birth of surf like the Tornadoes or individuals like Bob Spickard, Third Wave bands like the Eliminators and Blue Hawaiians, playing music made right here in the USA, seeking gigs, but are not considered because someone came up with the insipid idea that European bands know what the hell surf music should sound like. That is akin to going to a Pizzeria to get the ethnic taste of soul food. I've been around a while, so I know music tastes change, but when there are very talented musicians who play in the surf genre, born and raised right here in the USA, it is time to show respect to them and let the Europeans stay in Europe."

Thoughts?

Insect Surfers
The Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Scimitars
Lords Of Atlantis
Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio

This is why I don't read FB surf music groups.

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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

The Astronauts were from Colorado. They were flown in to be a surf band. They had no idea what surf was yet they became world renowned for being a top surf band.
Really, it comes down to this: What is an authentic surf group? And does it matter?
And I am positive that there must be a genuine Californian surf group out there that is less entertaining than maybe a group from, say, New York, Croatia, or Vancouver. When I play surf gigs it is pretty clear to the audience my reverence of the first wave and where exactly it all originated from. Isn't it utterly fantastic that a music form from Huntington Beach spread out to the far reaches of the globe?

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

Last edited: Feb 09, 2018 19:20:52

I do not follow that line of thinking. My likes/dislikes within the genre run pretty narrow, until I see a band live. Some of my favorite live moments in the last few years have been “those European” bands. Pushing the envelope, doing things differently, while still staying uniquely in the surf realm. Messer Chups is the perfect example. It’s not “Noise with a exotic bass player”. It’s a new take on an old idea. Many of those bands hold the traditional ideals higher than the US bands.

I know the dude that said this.

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

Ha! Exactly
Great point!

And the Trashmen were not Ca. Either.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Can this (ahem) brainiac tell by listening to a band, actually know where they are from? By their choice of notes, or reverb setting, he can detect a German, Italian or Finnish accent? Wow...

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

Bingo again on both of those.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Last edited: Feb 09, 2018 20:35:19

That could be a good song title,

"New level of Douchiness"

Jeff(bigtikidude)

I've seen inklings of this thought here on this board(not so recently). Never as arrogantly misinformed, but if our country has these sorts of thoughts then there are inevitably going to be surf bands/fans who share the same thoughts.

The way to combat these things it to remain positive and point out what is good about the music, point out glaring mistakes in their thinking (Dick Dale is Lebanese, Astronauts, we are all imigrants, surf music was popular in Southern California for a few years until it was reborn across the world.

European surf is as good as American which is as good as Mexican, which is as good as Southern American. And we know the Japanese bands are stellar!

I don't like all surf bands. I love some surf bands. I think most surf bands are pretty okay! To me, it comes down to if you are a melodic surf band or more of a riff surf band. European bands introduce different melodies, which are amazing. That is where most of the early surf melodies come from anyways!

Non-American surf bands aren't coming for you jobs. They are coming to entertain us. So, lets be entertained!

If a Euro band beats your band out for a gig. What can you do to become better? Slacktone isn't losing a gig to a Euro band, just sayin'.

Having lived in the first wave era I am partial to its sounds. I love figuring out simi-obscure original surf songs.
However, my iTunes play list is full of surf music from bands world wide.
Anyone who thinks it should be confined to SOCAL, and it's bands must have a very narrow idea of what surf music is.