Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on May 15 2006 11:46 AM
Man, I have just received some damn exciting news. I got a call from a local radio station regarding doing a 1-hour surf/instro show once a week for the next 4 weeks (trial period...if it works out, it would extend). This is a commercial station (not just a coupla dudes in a basement) that gets good listernership not only in the University of Illinois community but outside of it as well. I have no real radio experience, but I will be doing the show with a guy that does. Kicker is...it starts this Wednesday night.
Now the question...I am a fan of modern surf and got turned onto it in the mid/late 90's. I can relate to surf through my own experiences (i.e., "I saw these guys in ___, they were wearing , I was drinking ____..they're awesome!")...but do not have a whole lot of historical reference to when things got started back in the 60's and the 2nd & 3rd waves. Can someone turn me onto some archival posts or good online reference info - so if called upon to make an intelligent comment, i can?
To reinforce the need for help with intelligent comment...the guy asked: "what are we gonna call this thing" and I said: "ummmm, errr, how 'bout "Surfabilly Freakout"...and he said "OK" (let's consider it a working title...I am also taking name suggestions).
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on May 15 2006 12:13 PM
for "First Wave" (1960-1964 or so) there are several good resources:
The Cowabunga Surf Box by Rhino Records has a cool info book include with the 4 cds.
Robert Dalley's book "Surfin Guitars" is a great resource. Available occasionally on Ebay or at Amazon vendors.
Online, you might check out Phil Dirt's Reverb Central website:
http://www.reverbcentral.com/
there you will find an encyclopedic amount of info on reverberated surf.
The seven part article "What is Surf?" should prove most helpfull.
"Surfabilly Freakout" sounds like a cool name...will you be offering roots-style rock-a-billy selections in this show?
good luck,
-dp
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Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on May 15 2006 12:23 PM
Thanks for the tips. This literally went from a cocktail-fueled conversation at a bar...to a reality within a couple of days. I got the good word this morning and we will be on air this Wednesday night.
Still trying to get my arms around what the show will be. Know that there will be a good dose of surf. Will also do a good amount of spy-fi and spaghetti western. As far as the "abilly" part of the name. I do not know a whole lot of 'roots rockabilly'. Was thinking more of throwing in more psychobilly stuff like Rev. Horton Heat, SCOTS, etc. Suggestions are very welcome.
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on May 15 2006 12:36 PM
Open with Rumble!
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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butchdelux
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 250
Port Fierce, Florida
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Posted on May 15 2006 12:46 PM
Man, the spectrum is wise open for the types of music you can throw in there...aside from surf, and _abilly (add whichever prefix you like), there's tons of great garage stuff out there that fits the bill...The Hexxers, The Mummies, The Chesterfield Kings spring to mind, somewhat older stuff like The Cramps (of course), Dex Romweber/Flat Duo Jets, Untamed Youth...you really could go all sorts of places, playlist-wise.
— The Disasternauts
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Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on May 15 2006 01:16 PM
cavefishbutchdelux
Man, the spectrum is wise open for the types of music you can throw in there...aside from surf, and _abilly (add whichever prefix you like), there's tons of great garage stuff out there that fits the bill...The Hexxers, The Mummies, The Chesterfield Kings spring to mind, somewhat older stuff like The Cramps (of course), Dex Romweber/Flat Duo Jets, Untamed Youth...you really could go all sorts of places, playlist-wise.
Yep, garage definitely works. Trouble is, I don't own a whole lot of it. Any particular songs stand out for you that I could procure over the internet in the next day or so?
Open with Rumble!
I was thinking of starting with "Exolumina", but we'll see how things pan out. Should play 'Rumble' though. Whose version?
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on May 15 2006 03:04 PM
Jack The Ripper by Link Wray.
Shakin' All Over by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on May 15 2006 05:12 PM
Quote:
Open with Rumble!
I was thinking of starting with "Exolumina", but we'll see how things pan out. Should play 'Rumble' though. Whose version?
Link's of course. Is this gonna be a history of rock instrumental music or like a best of surf?
Some more to consider:
The Atlantics (Bombora, War of the Worlds, The Crusher)
The Fireballs (Torquay, Bulldog)
The Challengers (Raunchy)
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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Tikitena
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 1540
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Posted on May 15 2006 07:32 PM
I'm curious, will this show stream so we can all listen?
— "Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty
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Surfabilly
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
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Posted on May 16 2006 08:46 AM
Give 'em "Inertia!" by The Hustlers! I never knew that surf instrumentals could have a saxaphone in 'em, until I heard that one for the first time, on a compilation CD I'd bought something like 10 or 15 years ago.
Matt in Indiana
— Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!
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Surfabilly
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
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Posted on May 16 2006 08:47 AM
Oh! I almost forgot..."Surf Rat" by The Rumblers. 
Matt in Indiana
— Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!
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Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on May 16 2006 09:00 AM
Wraydar
Link's of course. Is this gonna be a history of rock instrumental music or like a best of surf?
Some more to consider:
The Atlantics (Bombora, War of the Worlds, The Crusher)
The Fireballs (Torquay, Bulldog)
The Challengers (Raunchy)
Thanks for the suggestions! The show will will appear on a "college" yet commercial radio station. The administration folks are professionals but the programming decisions are made by student staff...many of whom are completely unfamiliar with the surf genre (let's say our little idea is being met with some skepticism...but my buddy got it through). The station plays a mix of late 70's punk (Clash/Ramones/Buzzcocks) to 80's techno (well, not sure you call it "techno, but bands like: New Order/Ministry) to current "college radio"-type stuff (but heavy on the punk). We are being given a 4-week trial and our fate after that will rely on what feedback we receive. As surf is a foreign genre to many of the audience, rather than going with a full 'history of surf' show, we will mix it up with some other stuff that the audience is more used to hearing (i.e., the garage stuff). I would imagine most of the surf we will play will be mid-90's to current (by the looks of my collection). The ultimate hope is to expose more people to surf music.
I'm curious, will this show stream so we can all listen?
Yep, the show will be streamed live at www.wpgu.com. It will air Wednesday nights from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. Central time.
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on May 16 2006 09:10 AM
JetSterling_
The show will will appear on a "college" yet commercial radio station. The administration folks are professionals but the programming decisions are made by student staff...many of whom are completely unfamiliar with the surf genre (let's say our little idea is being met with some skepticism...but my buddy got it through). The station plays a mix of late 70's punk (Clash/Ramones/Buzzcocks) to 80's techno (well, not sure you call it "techno, but bands like: New Order/Ministry) to current "college radio"-type stuff (but heavy on the punk). We are being given a 4-week trial and our fate after that will rely on what feedback we receive. As surf is a foreign genre to many of the audience, rather than going with a full 'history of surf' show, we will mix it up with some other stuff that the audience is more used to hearing (i.e., the garage stuff). I would imagine most of the surf we will play will be mid-90's to current (by the looks of my collection). The ultimate hope is to expose more people to surf music.
the few times I met an audience i suspected was '60's beach vibe unfriendly' - modern kids (sorry) late teens early twenties, more of modern punk sorta people, who associate 'surf music' with old people in loud shirts and the beach boys, I presented it as 'quinten tarantino music' or skate-music (doesn't slacktone have a skater logo?) .. a bit faster and more aggresive then usual, and it works.
the history lesson canwait till after they're hooked 
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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Jet_Sterling
Joined: Apr 20, 2006
Posts: 391
Champaign, IL USA
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Posted on May 17 2006 08:05 AM
Thanks to all for the advice & suggestions. We are a go for tonight. Debuts at 9pm Central time at www.wpgu.com (hopefully the streaming feature works). The longevity of the show is based on positive feedback to the station. If you like what you hear, shoot 'em an email at programming@wpgu.com.
Again, thanks to all for the help-
— Jet Sterling, Cosmic Spy
www.surfabillyfreakout.com
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on May 17 2006 08:15 AM
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on May 17 2006 08:40 AM
JetSterling_
We are a go for tonight. Debuts at 9pm Central time at www.wpgu.com (hopefully the streaming feature works).
hey good luck tonight, and enjoy!
(I'm 7 hours ahead of you guys so it will be way past my bedtime, but if there is a listen-later feature I might be able to listen some other time. fat chance I guess?)
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on May 17 2006 12:49 PM
Cool, hopefully I'll remember!
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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Richard
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1683
Georgia
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Posted on May 17 2006 03:51 PM
This is great. I always tried to talk to somebody at my college radio station about letting me do a surf show but nobody was interested. My college radio station for the most part sucked, and I couldn't stand listening to all the random garbage on there long enough to reach any of the good stuff. I think we should all put together CDR's of our personal top choices to send to Jet. In spite of my pretty extensive collection I'd probably run through all my radio-worthy material within a few months of shows; this is where I would come for help.
I would like to add, for the "-abilly" part of the show, that you should get some Southern Culture on The Skids. Also look up a band called The Honkeys. Their album, "Tequila Mockingbird" is on Golly Gee Records and is one of my favorites, though I don't know that I've ever seen them discussed here.
— The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31
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tonybologna
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 796
Oakland
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Posted on May 17 2006 05:44 PM
Richard
I would like to add, for the "-abilly" part of the show, that you should get some Southern Culture on The Skids.
Reverend Horton Heat might work as well.
"I CAN'T SURF!"
— Science friction burns my fingers.
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25681
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on May 17 2006 09:25 PM
I'm listening right now, and the streaming is working fine, and sounds good. The microphones sound a bit muffled though.
Keep up the great work.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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