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In the interest of going after some shows, Mondo Guitaro paid some sketchy dude in his basement to cobble together a website. He was totally overpriced to begin with, went way over budget, ignored all of our input, and proceeded to miss every development milestone along the way. In the end he delivered, but we had to wrestle the thumb drive loaded with the website code, out of his greasy, Flamin' Hot Cheetos-stained hands.
Mondo Guitaro is basically 1/2 of El Mirage (still going strong btw!) with Murph switching from drums to guitar and playing with Fady as an instrumental guitar duo. A traditional four-piece surf combo is LOUD by definition, and Mondo Guitaro is aiming for lower-key, lower volume, indoor gigs at taprooms, restaurants, wineries, etc. More deets on the website for anyone curious!
-murph
BOOM!
Their return was inevitable and once again the mighty Daikaiju are targeting the Capital City! Joining us for this battle will be the furious 3, otherwise known as The Moans! Join us June 20th at The Starlet in Sacramento, CA for what will be a battle royale! You don’t want to miss this, so put it on the calendar! You’ve been warned.
Ticket link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/36435519/daikaijuwith-the-me-gustas-and-the-moans-sacramento-the-starlet-room
Hi. This is my new single from my upcoming LP "El Sorfista 10th Anniversary". Is featured with The Surf Hermits. Check it out here:
Oh-la-la! Our new single WAVES OF STEEL is out now! This is our 2nd single release from our upcoming album.
Listen at:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ho6fWBMZieg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1H4GD3RldeXXGmkiayJrGm?si=E86Jn9TvRe6CT10A1Uj5zQ
Bandcamp: https://theriptiderats.bandcamp.com/music
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/riptiderats/waves-of-steel
Gday there, here are the first 2 tunes by my surf band The Outback Surf Squad..hope ya like 'em !!
Podium Finish :
https://soundcloud.com/jamie-balcombe-941168545/the-outback-surf-squad-podium-finish
Moana Point :
https://soundcloud.com/jamie-balcombe-941168545/moana-point
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Q8n4F0bNtQhdz032s43lA
Here is episode 33 of Australia's no1 surf rock podcast The Dodge City Social Club :
https://soundcloud.com/jamie-balcombe-941168545/dcsc-episode-33
Hello friends and guitar music fans -
First, my apologies for being so absent from this site for so long. It has literally been years since I have been active here; the recent years have been a bit of a distraction for me with challenges in both my health and financial departments. But I am happy to report that by the grace of God I have managed to come through all this OK, and with good hopes for the future.
And the chief aim of this post is to declare that that future begins now, as I am "getting back in the game" with a new album release (my first in over 20 years)! And I am hoping that you will go to check it out now my bandcamp page. (Note that as there are other Paul Johnsons active at band camp, I have amended my name there to "Paul Johnson guitar" to make it easier to find me.)
So what is this new offering all about?
It's "The Hepcats LIVE at the Ajax Novelty Company"; I am very pleased and excited to get "back in the game" with this, and once you hear it at bandcamp.com, I trust you will share in my enthusiasm...
What’s the backstory here?
My dear friend from my hippie days in Mendocino (late ‘60s), musician/artist John Chamberlin (the man who did the cover art for my "Christmas with the Hepcats" album) also created another cover back then for another proposed CD ("Hepcats at Ajax"), a project that has not been activated over all these years, until now! I have wanted to create this album all along, but until recently I have not seen a way forward for it, so John’s artwork has just been languishing in my files over all this time.
About a year ago, it occurred to me that I had a number of tracks "in the can" (stuff I've recorded over the years but never released) that would be appropriate for such an album; upon reviewing this material, I decided that it WOULD make for an excellent Hepcats album, and so I have spent the last year or so working at pulling it all together. (I have been unsure as to just what form the agenda for this release would take; I have just been motivated by the conviction that I ought to do this, because these tracks deserve to see the light of day, and because "fans" of the Hepcats deserve to hear them. Accordingly, I want to share them with YOU now!)
Simply use this link to bring the album magically alive on your desktop; you may then click to hear the album in its entirety, or select individual tunes for streaming. Then you may also (if you so desire) download either the complete album or any of the individual tracks that may catch your fancy.
It pleases me greatly, after all this time, to be able to share this new album with you, and I welcome your feedback here once you’ve explored it. Please feel free to share this with friends if you like.
One last word: As this is a "Hepcats" project, it’s all acoustic guitar stuff (as is their specialty). But I also have it in mind to do a similar project with a number of electric guitar tracks (surfy stuff) that I also have "in the can" (stuff that has also been waiting all these years to see the light of day). And of course, if/when this happens, I will bring this to your attention here. So if you are a fan of the electric guitar, I hope you willl join me in looking forward to this!
Meanwhile, may God bless you! -
Paul Johnson
paul@pjmoto.com
P.S. My dear friend, guitar music journalist Dan Forte, has published a review of this album in the latest edition of Vintage Guitar magazine; and by his and the magazines permission, here is that review:
Paul Johnson
The Hepcats Live At The Ajax Novelty Company
This isn't live; there may not be an Ajax Novelty Company; and the three felines known as the Hepcats are actually the brainchild of Paul Johnson, whose Belairs were early-'60s pioneers of surf music. Suspend reality and dig how the "trio" expertly articulates layers of acoustic guitar.
Across decades, Johnson has embraced folk-rock, psychedelia, and Christian music, and his eclecticism is on full display here. Ten of the 17 tracks are originals, including an unplugged take on the surf classic "Mr. Moto," which he wrote when he was 15.
Even when it was unfashionable, he stuck to his guns, championing instrumental music. Covers include the Shadows' "Apache" and "Tico Tico", which has been recorded by everyone from Charlie Parker to Paco De Lucia. He gives the minor-key "Midnight In Moscow", a 1962 hit for Dixieland trumpeter Kenny Ball, a Gypsy flair, which is both somber and uplifting.
Johnson’s trademark melodicism shines throughout, along with noninvasive ornamental touches. Equally impressive, his tone is warm but crisp.
In addition to his role as elder statesman to today's surf revivalists, this is the third album Johnson has released under the Hepcats model, and it's the best.
Time Surfers featured on a great new compilation album from @trippleagentrecords ! Download now at tripleagenterecords.bandcamp.com !!!
Bonjour messieurs et mesdames
We have the pleasure to announce the release of our new album "Rétrofuturisme volume III".
It will be available on vinyl thanks to Les Productions de l'Impossible and Calico records and on digipack CD via Calico and Creepozoïd records on April 17th.
It is allready available digitally on Bandcamp:
The fantastic fourth issue of Colorado Instrumental Fanzine is now available. Issue four includes interviews with:
The Boss Martians (Washington)
Jenny Don’t & The Spurs (Oregon)
King Pelican (Texas)
The Nebulas (Rhode Island)
Sant Anna Bay Coconuts (Belgium)
This issue ALSO includes a 7" record from King Pelican and Chris Barfield
(A download code is included in the parcel.)
Your order includes a FREE full-color PDF download of the fanzine
Listen to the King Pelican EP while reading their interview.
A standout collaboration between guitarists Chris Barfield and Ernest Hernandez showcasing their skillful surf songwriting. Backed by the solid rhythm section of Darren Kuper on drums and Kris Zebrowski on bass, these tracks come to life with a laid-back yet compelling energy. Don’t miss out on this special release—an essential addition for vinyl collectors and surf music enthusiasts alike.
Side A: Vaquero (Hernandez/Barfield)
Side B: El Mirage (Barfield/Hernandez)
This version has an exclusive cover designed by Heather Woodhaven!!
In addition to the five interviews, the zine is filled with tons of live photographs, thoughtful music reviews, and a couple of gear reviews for your reading pleasure. This issue features a variety of special guests sharing their insights. Weighing in at a hefty 44 pages, you'll have hours of reading material about some incredibly talented surf/instrumental bands. It's printed on 80lb satin paper with a 100lb satin cover and appropriately sized at 8.5 X 11 (~A4).
