Photo of the Day

The Atlantics played at the famous Basement in Sydney on Janaury 19th 2010. You can see a gallery of photos here: http://www.pixels-bandwidth.com/images/atlantics-basement.

The Atlantics seminal surf classic instrumental Bombora shot to number one for a record eight weeks in 1963 and charted around the world. Their follow up single The Crusher was also charting strongly only to be stopped at No. 2  by the Beatles. The Atlantics went on to record seven more singles and four LPs, all of which are now regarded as classics of the Surf Instrumental Genre. In 2000 Bombora was given the ultimate accolade by being used in the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. The Atlantics have supported The Beach Boys and Chris Isaak shows, resulting in rave reviews for their music and their talents and once again cemented their title of Australias Greatest Instrumental Band ever.  A subsequent string of live performances at big shows and Festivals, including the inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival, Canberra's National Folk Festival,  The Noosa Festival of Surf and at The Benidorm Music Festival in Spain, thrilled original fans and introduced a whole new generation to the driving, infectious guitar sounds of The Atlantics.

For Immediate Release:
January 28, 2010

STEREO DYNAMITE RECORDINGS ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF TORONTO HORROR SURF PUNK BAND THE von DRATS.


BAND TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “DRATSYLVANIA” ON MARCH 9, 2010

Toronto, ON – Stereo Dynamite Recordings are pleased to announce the signing of surfing crypt keepers: The von Drats. A band so terrifyingly groovy, one listen to their debut album “Dratsylvania” and you’ll be trapped forever under their sonic spell!

Originally hailing from the mysterious Dratsylvania, the band relocated to Toronto in 2005 where their strange appearances (looking like extras from The Addams Family or a cartoon hot rod gang) and creepy, rowdy and kooky high energy surf punk live shows have made them a favorite with the local late, late, LATE(!) night ghastly Go-Go crowd.

The lightning fast long arm of the drums, Leonard von Drat, bids you welcome and keeps everyone in stitches with his rapid fire wit. An uncontrollable wildman, Dave von Drat sets the mood with the spooky sounding Farfisa organ and spastic movements that would even leave old Uncle Fester in shock. The big brother Trevor von Drat quite easily transitions from being a calm and collected surf guitar gentlemen to a garage rock growling life of the party. The werewolf cursed DanO von Drat stares wild eyed and lays down a solid and smooth bass foundation for his savage kin to play over. The youngest brother, Steve von Drat, is a surf guitar sharp-shooter and a reverb tank riding creature that will leave you in disbelief. Add to the mix on most nights, little sister Holly von Drat twisting and shaking everyone into a frenzy – and you’ve got a live experience that you’ll never forget!

The band have just finished recording their self-produced Stereo Dynamite debut album “Dratsylvania” (set for a March 9th release date). Featuring 13 twangy and twisted tunes that should appeal to fans of 60’s surf rock, horror punk, or classic monster movies. “Dratsylvania” is the soundtrack to the greatest, grooviest, demons-on-dirtbikes film you’ve never seen.

The von Drats are currently planning spring and summer tours. Expect a first video from the album DRATSYLVANIA to be announced shortly.

DRATSYLVANIA is in-stores March 9, 2010.

www.vondrats.com
www.Myspace.com/vondrats
www.StereoDynamite.com

Sundazed Records has posted that they plan to reissue several Dick Dale albums and singles collections on 180 g vinyl in March! Check it out:

• Singles Collection ’61-65 2-LP Set
• Surfers’ Choice
• King of the Surf Guitar
• Checkered Flag
• Mr. Eliminator
• Summer Surf
• Rock Out with Dick Dale and His Del-Tones (Live at Ciro’s)

Thanks Sundazed!

Here is a great interview with Man or Astro-Man? drummer Birdstuff at Chunklet regarding the recent news that Man or Astro-Man? are reuniting. It looks like it contains much of the same information Birdstuff posted at the MoAM? MySpace blog. However there are new details that every MoAM? fan will want to read. Thanks Chunklet!

Word is trickling out that the highly influential space alien surf super-group Man or Astro-Man? is reforming to play a number of shows, including the SXSW 2010 festival. Drummer Birdstuff wrote at length about the reunion on the band's MySpace blog. And finally, people are reporting that tickets are already on sale for dates in Birmingham and Atlanta!

I am not alone in saying that Man or Astro-Man? was that band that got me into surf music in the mid-90's. The band cut their teeth playing super-charged punked up versions of tunes by The Ventures, Dick Dale, and The Original Surfaris. They later honed their own unique sound and put on now legendary live shows, touring all over the United States and Europe. All hail the return of our alien overlords! Welcome back, we missed you!

The Ghastly Podcast

Podcast 11 - The Ghastly Podcast. This episode we're honored to have Norman Cabrera aka Baron Shimmy Shivers of The Ghastly Ones calling out the tunes. He's given us a killer selection of old school surf tunes that influenced him and his bandmates to be the kickass surf band they are today. We also have the 2nd half of his interview with Warren BInder. If you want to hear even more of this interview, stay tuned to the podcast page on SG101 and we'll upload it soon. Finally we're also featuring some new music by Norwegians - The Mobsmen and Icelandic SG101 member Burt Rocket.

Head on over to our podcast page to download it now, or look for it in iTunes shortly. The podcast is available in both .m4a and .mp3 formats. PC users can use the piece-of-junk Quicktime player, or the super awesome VLC media player, to listen. Enjoy!

A big thank you to Lady Reverb, Danny Snyder, Warren Binder, and Baron Shivers!

Song List:

My wife and I were talking about the earthquake in Haiti and decided we wanted to send a donation to help the people there during what is sure to be a long recovery process. I thought that maybe instead of just sending “x” amount of dollars, I’d tie it in with the record label. So from now through the end of January, we’ll donate $4.00 for every full-length Double Crown CD purchased through the Double Crown Records website. This includes any of the following releases:

The Five are pleased to announce the release of their debut/farewell EP!

Brandonio from the Rock is Dead RIP blog has just reviewed an advance copy of the EP, and wrote: "Taking parts of the traditional surf/instro realm along side 60's fuzz guitar a la Davie Allan and the Arrows/ Link Wray you get a melting aural assault that few bands as of late truly capture.... My first thought when hearing The Five was that they really must admire Huevos Rancheros,and Ramblin' Ambassadors or maybe even The Blue Stingrays [You know that band that consisted of  Tom Petty's Heartbreakers] Yes folks this EP is that good."

We have set up a page on our website (www.thefive.com.au) where you can pre-order a copy of what we believe to be the first 5-sided EP in music history!

Image

Sides 1 + 2 - are 5 tracks on 7" vinyl
Side 3 - is 10 tracks (including the 5 from the 7") on CD
Side 4 - is sheet music for the unrecorded track 'Murders & Burgers" PLAY IT YOURSELF!
Side 5 - is a selection of mp3 extras for your iPod available via download

All this for an all-up price (incl shipping) of AU$15 if you live in Australia or AU$17.50 if you don't!

If you would like to try-before-yo-buy, just head over to www.myspace.com/thefivebrisbane to stream the 5 tracks from the vinyl EP.

We should be ready to ship within 2 weeks.

Nor. Cal. favorites come down to spread their word in So. Cal. This is an amazing band. Plus, George Tomsco of the 50's and 60's legends the Fireballs, playing with 3 Balls of Fire from New Mexico.

Please come check them out on Friday, Jan. 15 at Don The Beachcomber.
(Read more to see the flyer).