surfinsam
Joined: Jun 15, 2009
Posts: 14
Chicago
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:10 PM
Hi all, I'm new to the forum here. Just got into surf music recently...I heard it a little before, but started listening to the AOL online radio and realized I love surf rock. My favorite groups right now are Laika & The Cosmonauts and The Mermen. I've stayed up through several nights reading everything in these forums and the articles, about the "waves" of surf music, the gear, etc etc.
Anyways, I'm still confused to a few things. Firstly, gigs. Do you guys play in surf-only bands? Maybe there's a specific place in USA that surf-instro is popular (socal?), but here even in the big city (chicago) I'm having a hard time thinking people would want to hear a set(s) of surf music. We have psuedo-beaches on great lake michigan, I'm thinking maybe down by there. So do you usually share a venue with other surf bands, and each play a short set? Or are there some bands here that actually play bars, dances, and stuff like that?? Like a surf rock dance cover band??? 
Another question. What is it with surf music and astronauts/space?? lol. Maybe it's just me but I don't see a huge correlation, but it's obviously in the music and the art. Don't get me wrong I think it's cool.
So yeah, I'm not in a surf band, we play rock and jazz and stuff......although, trying to sneak some surf rock into my own band  and hopefully will start a side project for surf rock whenever possible.
Awesome website and forum btw. I was very surprised to find it, someone mentioned it on another guitar site when I was searching for surf rock info. 
— Surfin Sam
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Jagshark
Joined: Nov 05, 2008
Posts: 745
Colorado, home of The Astronauts
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:19 PM
Surf music and space? I don't really know how that correlation came about either, but probably had a lot to do with the song "Telstar" being a huge international hit in the early 60's. If anything, instro bands in the 60s were falling all over themselves chasing the trend when a hit was HUGE.
— (defunct) Thee Jaguar Sharks
Plus! Other stuff not surf: https://soundcloud.com/jamesmileshq
Enjoy every minute
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:26 PM
Well your proximity to a beach doesn't have anything to do people wanting to hear surf music.
And yes, there are many surf bands that play gigs with other surf bands and non-surf bands a like. Check out our Show Announcements forum and calendar. Not all bands are cover bands either; many surf bands of today are writing their own original material.
As for the space thing, you have to remember that space exploration was brand new in the 60's. Jagshark nailed it with Telstar I think, a song covered by many surf bands. And The Ventures in Space was a monumental album (arguably recorded after the 1st wave of surf music was over).
(And please don't say "surf rock". Thank you. It's "surf music". )
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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norcalhodad
Joined: May 25, 2006
Posts: 537
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:35 PM
Brian
(And please don't say "surf rock". Thank you. It's "surf music". )
"Surf Rock" does sound kind of funny. (Sir Frock) How about referring to the post-neo-trad bands as "Alt-Surf" instead?
—  > 
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:40 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 27, 2009 19:04:56
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surfinsam
Joined: Jun 15, 2009
Posts: 14
Chicago
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:52 PM
Ahh... I kinda get the space thing now.
And I'll keep my eye on the show announcements.
Yeah, I just have my own desire to play "surf music" by the beach, and think, maybe it'll be a little more welcome there 
Why not "surf rock"? Serious question.
zak
surfinsam
here even in the big city (chicago) I'm having a hard time thinking people would want to hear a set(s) of surf music.
Dude...do you go out much? Ever heard of the Big C Jamboree? Holy hell I don't live anywhere near Chicago and I know about it...
This is a primarily rockabilly thing but it has featured plenty of surf in the past.
And since you never heard of the Big C Jamboree in spite of living in Chicago, I take it you never heard of the Reluctant Aquanauts (now defunct) or any other instrumental bands who were gigging in Chicago?
lol. Actually I just got into surf music, AND I just moved here recently... but hey, maybe I don't get out as much as I should... No I'm pretty new to the surf scene as well as the music scene here -- but I haven't encountered any live surf music yet -- here, or anywhere else. 
— Surfin Sam
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:54 PM
Check out The Reluctant Aquanauts on WGN TV
Gonna miss that band.
— Don
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surfinsam
Joined: Jun 15, 2009
Posts: 14
Chicago
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:56 PM
JetBlue
Check out The Reluctant Aquanauts on WGN TV
Gonna miss that band.
awesome! thanks!
— Surfin Sam
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 06:59 PM
Well, "rock" has some connotation of pretentiousness to me. First there was "rock-n-roll", then it grew up and became "rock" and thus we had bands like Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson. Since Surf music heralds from an earlier time, and "Surf Rock-n-Roll" is too hard to say, I think surf music is more appropriate. YMMV.
And don't mind Zak, he just quit smoking recently.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 07:00 PM
The Cocktail Preachers are a fine surf band from Chicago.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 07:01 PM
Thanks for posting that clip JetBlue. I forgot how great that was.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 07:11 PM
It's one of my favorite "surf band type sounds"!
— Don
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surfinsam
Joined: Jun 15, 2009
Posts: 14
Chicago
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 07:13 PM
Ahh, gotcha.
Cocktail preachers eh? Looks like they have some gigs coming up. I'll get to at least one of them for sure this summer and let you guys know about it.
— Surfin Sam
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 11:12 PM
I take exception with Brian's prejudice against 'Surf Rock'. I have no problem with that if the band is more rock oriented, of which I consider the TomorrowMen. Punk rock isn't called 'punk music' is it? That would be more pretentious if you ask me. I think Brian and other's opinions are valid, but shouldn't dissuade you from calling yourself surf rock if that's what you like. I suppose an argument can be made for not calling first wave surf 'rock' because 'rock' music hadn't existed as a concept at that point yet.
— 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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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 11:40 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 27, 2009 19:05:00
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LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on Jun 15 2009 11:45 PM
Surf polka is great. And, yes, the brash reverb of the accordian crashing right up against the waltz time is quite distinguishing.
— SSIV
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 16 2009 08:00 AM
You are right, it is personal prejudice, but I now wince whenever I hear the term "surf rock". I picture outsiders with distortion pedals, fresh off of the rock band game, trying their hand at this cool "surf rock" they heard about last week. Ha-ha. It's probably a bit elitist of me.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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morphball
Joined: Dec 23, 2008
Posts: 3324
Pittsboro, NC
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Posted on Jun 16 2009 08:02 AM
I'm a big fan of surfapunkabilly myself.
— Mike
http://www.youtube.com/morphballio
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 16 2009 08:05 AM
And also, some really, really sh*tty bands call their music "surf rock" and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Of course I am not referring to the TomorrowMen. ;) Maybe you guys will erase the stigma!
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Jun 16 2009 11:37 AM
Brian
And also, some really, really sh*tty bands call their music "surf rock" and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Of course I am not referring to the TomorrowMen. ;) Maybe you guys will erase the stigma!
Please wash your mouth with soap and water! 
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