SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Aug 17 2006 05:45 PM
So I have to ask it. Most everyone who knows me or knows of me knows that I'm not one to call out others, nor is that my intention here.
I am just curious as to when the Lucha Libre masks became such a sought-after look for surf folks. I've seen pics from Tiki events and whatnot where half the crowd is donning their masks, and they also seem to keep popping up all over the place with various bands. I just don't get it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: Why is everyone trying to pursue a look that is so much the signature of one specific band (no mater how great that band is)?
Surf musicians aren't THAT ugly....
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
~B~
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25659
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Aug 17 2006 08:33 PM
Bill,
I can't answer your question persee, but I think it's way over done already. I'm over it.
All I can think of when I see someone with a mask on, is the (gimp,) from Pulp Fiction. And I get a wierd icky feeling.
just be glad their not wearing bad Hawaiin shirts, and masks.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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HBkahuna
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1778
Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 03:35 PM
Whoever did it first was cool. The rest are copycats. One band with maskes is plenty in my book. I kind of like the "Dead Men Dont Surf " look. Dress comfortable & play really REALLY out of this world well.
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1906
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Aug 18 2006 04:08 PM
At least for our band, The Aquasonics, we decide to give the mask thing a try for a change of pace. We've dressed 60's formal (shirt and ties) surf casual (matching hot rod shirts) and even the dreaded Aloha shirts ( no masks, but I'd like to...) It's just something to do to try and make a show more fun and interesting. The casual surf fans didn't even get the reference. I think it's just a way to have some fun while playing. We probably will never do it again, but It was fun for 20 minutes.
Interestingly, Los Straitjackets didn't start the masks in surf idea, several bands befor them did it too. Los Straits did it as a send-up of some of those other bands.
It seems in the 90's that lots of bands had a gimick to attract people to their surf shows. Scary costumes, Lone Ranger masks, etc.
Chris
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Aug 19 2006 10:39 AM
Sonichris
...It seems in the 90's that lots of bands had a gimick to attract people to their surf shows. Scary costumes, Lone Ranger masks, etc...
it seems tha in the early 1960s, some surf bands had gimmicks, too...like the Pyramids "shaved-head-under-Beatle-wig" routine...or Dick Dale wearin' a big-ass gypsy earing and playing bongos...
maybe the next round of surf gimicks will look something like this:
image
-dp
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25659
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Aug 19 2006 03:11 PM
Funny you mention that DP, because.
I wish I knew how to post images,
but when I first Saw a picture of Destination Earth, I thought they kinda looked like a Man or Astroman, meets Gwar.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Tikitena
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 1540
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Posted on Aug 19 2006 03:27 PM
hahaha, here ya go!
image
I find that a majority of "surf" bands in Mexico are doing this.
— "Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty
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Tikitena
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 1540
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Posted on Aug 19 2006 03:30 PM
This is one of my favorites from Mexico, Sr. Bikini:
image
— "Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 20 2006 02:24 PM
I wouldn't really stick around to watch a band in masks unless it was the Nebulas or Los Straitjackets. You have to be pretty good to pull masks off and in my opinion there aren't that many good surf bands that can pull that off.
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SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Aug 20 2006 05:09 PM
Hey y'all,
I am in the same boat as everyone here, I just don't get the lucha-libre thing. I can understand it more with mexican bands, as it's the birthplace of the whole "mask culture", but beyond that, I just don't know.
I will say on a side note that I was pretty much referring specifically to the lucha-libre masks, rather than the Phantom Surfers "Lone Ranger" look, or The Nebulas' skull masks. I was actually really blown away when I saw them sporting those onstage in Portland back in March. I know when the Rats wore hockey masks on a Halloween show, I was pretty uncomfortable, so I couldn't imagine the heat and humidity in those things.
Thanks to all for your comments so far, and keep 'em coming!
~B~
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1906
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Aug 20 2006 06:42 PM
Since the Pic of the day is of me in a mask.......
I'd agree with Jacob about not being able to pull of masks unless you are really good. It's hard seeing in those things, and you have to be really animated with your body to get anything across to the audience. It was harder than I thought it would be, but it was still fun to do. For a couple of us, anyway.
The band was split 50/50 on whether to wear them or not. I think a couple of us thought it would be fun to do, and a couple thought we were just ripping off Los straitjackets. The two that didn't REALLY don't want to do it again, and I'm pretty sure that we won't, but I would mind doing another gimmick show.
For me, part of the attraction is the mystery of who's playing. It's not really me playing, its someone else. I'm pretty self concious on stage, and "hiding" behind a mask is appealing - it frees you up to do things you usually wouldn't do.
Still, we probably won't do it again.
Chris
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11065
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 20 2006 10:40 PM
Chris, if you have to hide behind a mask to play, you really need to question what you're doing up there. I mean really, the idea of needing a disguise - ridiculous!
— 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
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norcalhodad
Joined: May 25, 2006
Posts: 537
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Posted on Aug 21 2006 01:23 AM
If you're going to wear the wrestling masks, you oughta complete the ensemble and wear some tights and a cape...throw chairs at each other. Lucha Libre must be slighty sub-mainstream pop culture in the U.S. now cuz' I noticed masks being sold at the county fair. I bet we'll see a few this Halloween season.
And I'm curious Danny, is there a Tomorrow Men schtick in the works 
—  > 
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Aug 21 2006 10:34 AM
maybe this guy is having some effect re: the popularity of Mexican Wrestling masks:
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25659
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Aug 21 2006 12:55 PM
You know when they make a movie of it, it is kinda played out.
I haven't seen the Movie, but is there any surf bands with masks, or surf music in the movie?
Just razzin some of ya,
Jeff(bigtikidude)
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Tikitena
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 1540
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Posted on Aug 21 2006 07:08 PM
Here's my friends in the Blue Demons video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8QoErep5c
There is a sequel coming soon.
— "Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11065
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 22 2006 12:11 AM
norcalhodad
And I'm curious Danny, is there a Tomorrow Men schtick in the works
Hell yeah! We're time travelers from the year 3000, trapped here with all you primitive 21st century cats, who don't appreciate surf music now anymore than people of our time. (present company excepted) We're definitely going for some kind of costuming, though I doubt masks are involved. I have an artistic friend helping us out with some ideas, but feel free to make suggestions.
One thing for sure, I want to veer away from MOAM references as much as possible.
— 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
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Rio
Joined: May 22, 2006
Posts: 500
Hamilton, Ontario
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Posted on Aug 22 2006 06:44 PM
The problem with this discussion is that the biggest defenders of "the mask thing"-- those who wear them-- can't speak up or they'd be, well, unmasked...
— http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/rockinrio.delrosa
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/TheHighTides
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/pages/The-Blue-Demons
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butchdelux
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 250
Port Fierce, Florida
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Posted on Aug 23 2006 10:09 AM
I think the lucha mask thing is more than a little played out, but other bands manage to pull the masked-thing off pretty well...
image
image
— The Disasternauts
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Aug 23 2006 10:13 AM
^^^ nice "happy day" and "fu machu" masks...kind of scary stuff!^^^
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