Photo of the Day

I'll confess, when I first heard it, i didn't think I would really like this album. I don't know, it just seemed so . . . "different". But then after giving it a few more listens, I realized that the inventive melodies and irresistable hooks had already begun working their way into my subconscious. Unexpectedly, through the day a tune might pop into my head and be playing in the back of my mind. You know the feeling? I'd think, "now where have I heard that? . . . some classic 60's song I've heard a million times?---No, wait . . . it's from the 'Verb album!".

That's when I knew I was in trouble. Almost without exception, the albums I now find I can't live without have affected me this way, and The 'Verb's "Reverberated For your Pleasure" is now in that catagory.

This album is almost epic in its scope, and ambitiously conceived. These are finely crafted pop compositions that almost masquerade as 'surf' tunes. To be sure, many do fall very solidly into that genre. Fans of dripping reverb, glissando and surf beats (and aren't we all?) will have plenty here. But there is also so much more going on. The sheer volume of melodic content is astonishing. The 'Verb apparently have ideas to burn and seem to lavish them more generously on a single song than some bands do on an entire album. Often I get the impression that these are instrumental versions of songs that originally had lyrics. To listen to this album from beginning to end is to be taken on a "musical journey" (if you'll pardon the cliche) through a mini history of modern instro/pop music. Yet while I think I can detect influences, they are so filtered through The 'Verb's unique approach that they are transformed into something new. Here are some song by song impressions:

Yo!

Laramie here to announce that I will be releasing my latest recordings on November 23rd at the Mai Kai. The cd includes 9 tracks recorded in June of 2007. The other 3 tracks are live, 1 track as a trio, featuring Dusty Watson, my bud who got me the job with Dick Dale. This show was impropmtu, my scheduled drummer could not make it. Dusty was like, "Lets do it! "I was opening for Agent Orange in Miami Fl and it was a great show. Miami Ink was filming and there was over 650 tickets sold, plus at least 5 other bands opened up!  A really fun show. Dusty is totally rad. Joe Queer introduced me to him almost 10 years ago, and we have been buds ever since.  I am hoping we can tour together next year.

The last 2 tracks were recorded live at the Drive Invasion in Atlanta GA. That show was great! This line up is a 4 piece, and the songs here we did not re-hearse together. I did  them last minute because my reverb tank crapped out, and every one was sort of expecting my old school surf punk sound anyway. So the fuzz really got people pumped! 

The album art was done by one of my newest buds in Miami, El Rey. I told my bass player I wanted a Rick Griffin style artist and he set me up with this kid. I met with him, and two hours later he emails me this work of art! I love it! He really killed it in short notice.

I hope to see all the South Florida Surf Punks at the show at the end of the month.

Thanks!

LD

Well this time I will be reviewing an album I like a lot by one of my favorite bands. First off Twin Tones is a band from México City, D.F., Nación Apache is their first album but there's also another one available titled Salón Chihuahua.  I bought this album about a year ago at one of their shows. It's got 12 themes and every single one of them is absolutely worth it. It's one of those albums that don't have any weak spots. Their style is a very interesting mix of Classic Instrumental Surf, Spaghetti Western, Country, Polka and Norteñas. You can hear very clean guitar tones with lots of twang(I know a lot of you hate the term "twang" but it's there and it sounds great). They included samples of old Western movie dialogues, which is a really important part of the  album's whole Western atmosphere. They invited several guest musicians to play various instruments for the recording of this album which include: accordion, trumpet, a violin and other interesting things. Although I like the whole album my favorite themes are "Bandidos", "Nación Apache", "A 10 Pasos de la Muerte" "El Mexicano"(this one has a really cool organ on it) and "Doroteo Arango" which is very Tex-Mex.

Check out this great band, you won't regret it.

You can reach the band at www.myspace.com/twintones or you can visit their website at www.twintones.com.mx

Mr. Green

 Midnight Run 

“The Pyramids”

Tabbed by: waimeabay

Email: surfguitarplayer100@yahoo.com

“The Breeze and I”

The Bitch Boys

Happy Rocktober everybody!

Got some really great shows over the next few weeks, even though Slacktone had to cancel their tour.  The show must go on and we've worked very hard to get bands to replace Slacktone and make the shows still rock!

October 18th at Contable Jack's in Newcastle with the Sublebrities (Tim and Brett's Ska band)! 8pm ALL AGES $8, and great food!

October 19th at Cheif Crazy Horse Inn and Saloon in Nevada City!  21 and over, $5, 9pm.

October 20th at Old Ironsides in Sacramento!  With The Sublebrities and Hookerfight.  9pm, 21 and over!  http://www.theoldironsides.com

October 21st at Hotel Utah in San Fracisco with Pollo Del Mar, and The Tomorrowmen.  3pm afternoon show!  Corner of 4th and Bryant San Francisco.  415-546-6300

November 2nd at G Street Pub in Davis with Hookerfight.  9pm, 21 and over!  530-758-3154  http://www.gstreetpub.com  228 G Street, Davis, CA.

November 3rd at The California Club in Auburn.  9pm to 1am.  21 and over!  530-885-6453  1580 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA (Maple St Exit from I-80).