Photo of the Day

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

Hi everyone, I was going through some of my saved files and came across this information from Dave Wronski concerning his gear. Seeing how the majority of us worship this guy, I thought you may find it interesting. This seems to be a response from someone asking him about his setup, probably a past/current SG101 member.

Hello,

I have been corresponding with John Hamilton, bass player for the Berzerkers. He told me that his jazz bass was stolen from his car during the KFJC Battle of the Surfing Bands. I told him he should post information about it on SG101, but he indicated that he did not use this site and asked if I would mind posting the details of the bass just in case someone sees it somewhere. Anyway if anyone sees his bass please let him know where he can recover it. John is a great guy and does not deserve to have this happen to him. Below are the details of the stolen bass:

The Continental Magazine - Issue #13 w/23 song CD - #CT013 - $5.95 (OUT NOW!!!)

The latest issue of The Continental Magazine, featuring interviews with Southern Culture On The Skids and The Barbary Coasters (featuring Johnny Bartlett of The Phantom Surfers/Saturn V Featuring Orbit/Hillsdale Records).

It includes a 23 track CD packed with great surf/instro/twist/garage rock tunes and is now available for only $5.95. Also included in this issue are The Nebulas, The Kilaueas and much, much more. 36 pages in all, with a 2 color glossy cover.

To order send $5.95 US + shipping ($1.05 to any US/Canadian address, or just $2.05 to any other address) to Double Crown Records - P.O. Box 4336 - Bellingham, WA 98227-4336 - USA. You can also send a Paypal payment to records@dblcrown.com or cash/check/money order, or order online at www.dblcrown.com.

Track List For Continental #13 CD:

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First off, this is my second outing to see The Intoxicators! at the Jetsetter. The first was cut short so we only managed to catch the first set-and-a-half; the second, I rushed down to West Palm straight from my own band's rehearsal, so I missed the first set, but did catch the last two. So, in the interest of fairness, this is more-or-less a combined show report. Moreover, it's a heads-up - and my way of saying that this is band you really need to see should you make it down to the Sunshine State...

A bit about the venue:
Enter: The Jetsetter Lounge. Easily one of the coolest venues in Florida, this joint has vibe to spare. The walls are adorned with Shag paintings, surrounded by retro-60's-mod furniture. The outside is a lush tropical garden flanked by Easter Island styled statues. And the waitresses - good Lord, the gorgeous waitresses - could have stepped out of any episode of The Avengers, or any Connery-era Bond flick. Not to be understated, this places oozes cool, even if it is kitschy.

Now, there is no song-by-song review here, as I only just got my first Intoxicators! cd after the show Saturday night (or was it early Sunday morning?), the songs are still a bit unfamiliar, but the original material that stood out was "Gary 2," (I love the lead riff on that tune), "The Great Snatch...," (more swing than surf, but catchy as hell), and "Human Canonball," and an impressive arsenal of cover material too abundant to list here.

Hey everybody,

Just a quick link to a picture album taken last saturday at the KrautsurfRelease Party in Muelheim feat. 10 german surf combos
[Razorblades, Kilaueas, The Sidemen, Commando, Stronzo Gelantino, Achtung Rakete, Pozor Vlak, Way out west, Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle, The Cruncher]. Watch it at the german surfmusic-forum here:
Kraut Surf Release Party Photos

Also dont forget to buy the KRAUTSURF CD released via NPR Records!