I did. I was stoked that Jon Blair mentioned my old band Surf Report in one of the discussions (I think it was from '94 or something.)

Ryan
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do you have your # 2 pencil ready,
its a fill in the bubble test.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

spskins
I have, is there a test?

Multiple choice:
Question 1- Who sounds like the biggest blowhard:
A- Ferenc
B- All of the above

--fd

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First off, I was, and continue to be, honored to have been invited to be a part of that discussion. Cosmik Debris was the first e-zine to give The Mel-tones any exposure outside Rhode Island, and I'm grateful for DJ's interest when I was still dubbing cassette copies with hand-drawn photocopied sleeves.

Second, I don't get a sense that any of us had any dilusions of grandeur, and while we were all enthusiastic to be riding a wave that hadn't yet crested, many of the concerns and limitations to the market then still obtain today.

While the wave crested and passed, nothing suggests the tide is out for good. If anything, I think we're much much much better connected today, especially through this great forum, MySpace band pages and youtube videos where I can see bands live performances that I wouldn't otherwise get to see. I don't think anyone's getting rich playing surf music, but we've got the change to find kindred spirits around the world much more effectively than even before, and that's a really great thing.

DannySnyder
I thought your comments were quite good. I recommend everyone reads this so they can see how far we've fallen since then. We need a resurgence in the biggest way. Will it ever happen? Stay tuned to SG101 to find out.

I think the biggest thing that has changed since then is my attitude. When we started I was very optimistic about the genre and proselytizing about how great surf music was. Now I think the concept, need or possibility of a resurgence is moot. Have you noticed <i>anything</i> have a resurgence recently? What I note is expansion of genres laterally rather than new peaks, whether it is rockabilly, garage, or disco. It's like the internet has made it easier to cater to your tastes rather than expose you to new or different possible interests. For instance, it is now possible to never hear a dissenting view of your political viewpoint by tuning into a station that only agrees with you. Back in the day, we had 3 networks and PBS. They had to have different points of view on their news shows because they didn't want to alienate a huge segment of the popultaion. Now you can have a whole network dedicated to a cult. Samething with music- I used to listen to AM radio in the 70s- bubblegum, stax, philly soul, pop I heard it all at once. People have to dig alot harder to get that breadth of music now.
So back to the resurgence concept. The Pulp Fiction buzz lasted about 4 years. During that time, it was easier to book shows because club bookers new what you were talking about, then it went back to being "Uh yeah sure whatever". 13 years after Pulp Fiction, well, lets face it, we are the only people who are talking about the music in that movie now. Tarantino moved on... So the point of this is, don't depend on a resurgance happening, make it happen for yourself. It is hard for me to be optimistic as I was when that article was written, but I do appreciate the optimism of new bands. Just don't depend on anybody else or some random fancy of the populace at large to help you. You really have to make it happen.
I am really not as old as I sound.
--ferenc

Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
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I agree with what Ferenc says.

I was being a bit tongue in cheek, perhaps combines with a nostagia for my own youthful idealism, which never saw the light of day. It was overwhelmed by my youthful ennui

The whole concept of a 'revival' or 'resurgence' is anachronistic. People will hear what they already like, unless accidentally exposed to new (to them) forms of music. And that's the challenge for today's bands, at least the ones interested in finding a new or larger audience.

BTW: Tmen have been offered 3 gigs in the last couple days - not too shabby.

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

PolloGuitar
13 years after Pulp Fiction, well, lets face it, we are the only people who are talking about the music in that movie now. Tarantino moved on

There's something in what you say about modern nichism, Ferenc. I hadn't really thought of it that explicitly, b ut, you're right, that is what the Internet is fostering. But I am not so sure about the Pulp Fiction "boost" having faded. Or even if the connection was a Good Thing. I remember that a couple of hecklers at an AquaSonics performance I attended this summer - just a couple of young drunks, really. They called out to the band, "Can't you play anything but that Pulp Fiction stuff?" Or something like that. It was an odd moment for me, because I never really think of surf music as "Pulp Fiction" music, and I was startled to hear them call it that. I think I'd rather hear someone call out "I hate surf music," instead, because at least then they would seem to know what it was.

If there is a resurgence - a resurfacing? - of something like surf music, instrumental music, music with reverb, whatever it might be., it will probably be pretty different sounding. Some fans of classic surf music might not like it, just like some fans of more recent surf music have trouble with saxophones or trumpets or with the old vocal numbers, etc.

A wave of new comers looking at everything with fresh eyes can be pretty disconcerting. Or it can be refreshing.

So what kind of a resurgence do people want? More classic music afficcionados and venues to suit (surf party re-enactors?), or something wildly popular that has some sort of tenuous connection with classic surf music? Say, a slew of rap songs sampling suf music. (Wait, I think that happened!)

One way to look at it might be, what form would a resurgence in Dixieland Jazz take?

I have to admit, I could argue any which way on this one.