Photo of the Day

I just received my copy of Pipeline #71 Summer 2006 all the way from jolly old England. Editor Alan Taylor was kind enough to also send me #70 as a promo copy. I sheepishly admit to not being able to find the time to do a proper review. However I have no problem asserting that if you have any interest in instrumental music from any decade since the beginnings of rock and roll (and yes this includes a healthy dose of surf music!) you will be extremely satisfied with this well written and edited 'zine. Both issues are 65+ pages and they are jammed with reading material that will keep you busy for weeks.

Issue #70 features an incredibly in-depth interview and discography of George Tomsco and The Fireballs. There is also a feature on Mike Vernon and 3 Balls of Fire. Issue #71 has a lengthy interviews with Bob Spalding (the 5th Venture!) and our very own Ivan Pongracic of The Madeira / Space Cossacks. Plus coverage of Pipeline 2006, the 14th Pipeline convention that featured The Flames, Bob Spalding, 3 Balls of Fire, George Tomsco, The Original Rapiers, and The Surfin' Gorrillas. Each issue also features an extensive reviews section of recent releases.

Head on over to The Pipeline Magazine website and buy a subscription now! Back issues are also available so you can get caught up.

First of all, you may have noticed things look a little different. Hopefully for the better. I've finally got my hands around the coding aspect of themes, and was able to customize one of the stock themes. This isn't the final product though, and I would still appreciate any new ideas from you guys. It is even possible to create multiple themes, and each registered user can pick his own from a list!

I also want to thank Joe, aka norcalhodad, who created a great set of topics icons for the news stories. He also made the cool Downloads logo. Thanks Joe!

Again, I don't want to discourage anyone from making more topics icons. They can be used in different themes.

Second, I have created an "Encyclopedia Review Board" sub-forum in the forums area. Here we can discuss terms for the site encyclopedia. I hope this encyclopedia will supplement our FAQs (which also need a lot of work!), and will be useful to newbies and visitors.

And finally, I am planning on adding a "Photo of the Day" feature to the site. I will add a block that will feature a thumbnail that will change every day. Clicking the thumbnail will bring up a full size version of the photo with a caption and perhaps even with a rating and comment system. So while I am working on that, I need photos! Anything surf music related is fine: bands, gear, album covers, beach scenes, whatever! Please email your photos to: brian at surfguitar101 dot com.

Thanks everyone for your continued interest in the site!

The Krontjong Devils: "Sizzling Sampan & Other Favorites!" EP
Double Crown Records, 1999 (DC4509) (www.dblcrown.com)

I was absolutely floored with this Krotjong Devils EP; these devils truly tear it up!

The Krontjong Devils are: Kees de Vries on guitar and organ, Hendrik Jan Horst also on guitar and organ, Gerhard Rinsma on bass, and Nico Plantenga on drums. These Devils hail from Groningen, Holland. The tunes for "Sizzling Sampan" were recorded in 1999, and released by Double Crown on gold vinyl.

The EP begins with "Sizzling Sampan", a tune that definitely lives up to its title. This tune is a spicy plate of pad thai served up in floating restaurant. High-energy guitar lines, driving drums, who could ask for anything more?

Today, I had the time and the inclination to sort through the sacred-old-milk-crate-full-of-surf-LPs and the Converse shoeboxes full of old cassettes. As I started spinning some of the contents on the record and cassette players, I thought to myself: "Man, there were quite a few surf bands back in the 1980s, maybe I should share this info with my pals up on SG101." So here I am at the keyboard, attempting a brief essay on 1980s surf rock in hopes of offering something of value to those who might not otherwise have heard about this often-overlooked decade in the development of surf music.

Impala: "El Rancho Reverbo"
Icehouse Records, 1994 (www.icehouserecords.com)

"El Rancho Reverbo" was the first release by Impala, back in 1994. So, obviously, this is not a "new release" by any means; however it is new to my CD player! Recorded in Memphis TN at Sam Phillips Studio, "El Rancho..."' does hearken back to the simpler times of twist, twang and reverb.

Impala features John Stivers on guitar; Scott Bomar on bass, Farfisa organ and guitar; Justin Thompson on tenor sax; and Jeff Goggans on drums. Additional players include Alex Green on Hammond organ and "Sunrise" on trumpet.

The CD kicks-off with the oh-too-short "El Rancho". This 31 second tidbit begs to be developed into a full-fledged theme suitible for the next Sergio Leone spaghetti-western episode. "El Rancho" whets the appetite, and leaves you thirsty for more, gringo.

The second cut, "Odalisque" is a stomping surf number full of drive and reverb. A catchy melody, rolling drums and a haunting tone makes this cut particularly memorable.

Song: Samurai Struck
Artist: The Surf Coasters
Album: Samurai Struck

Tabbed by Warren Binder 12-March-2005