Menu
I'm not much of a birdwatcher, but I can say that I was quite fortunate to have seen King Pelican in its natural habitat. It was in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas at Hot Joy, a hip little joint serving pan-Asian food, tiki drinks and Lone Star beer, all surrounded by amazing artwork by Jamie Stolarski (who created the art for this release) - the perfect setting for King Pelican's own special brand of instrumental surf guitar music. Lucky for me (and you!) the heady concoction of all of those elements has been captured by and expanded upon with EAST MEETS WEST.
The first two songs (east side) see King Pelican presenting the specifically Japanese musical style of Eleki, which was created in 1960s Japan by mixing the aggressive guitar style of The Ventures with Japanese modes, melodies and style, creating a new and unique form.
The following selections (west side) take the listener closer to King Pelican's home turf of the American Southwest, but through the lens of the Italian-made Spaghetti Western soundtrack, complete with lonesome whistling, 12 string, acoustic guitars and the bass VI adding to the Morricone influenced atmosphere.
But this is not another surf band pulling a few stylistic gimmicks on top of a basic surf song just to call it something else. King Pelican has obviously taken these specific musical sub-genres and have studied and devoured them before embarking on their own original Eleki and Spaghetti Western compositions. In other words, these are great songs and performances that pack a fun trip around the world into one EP.
~Ted Pilgrim
The new EP from King Pelican - EAST MEETS WEST is now available on Bandcamp! We'd like to thank our good friend, Ted Pilgrim from Satan's Pilgrims for writing the liner notes! Stay tuned for new on the 7" orange vinyl release!
BLACK VALLEY MOON FT. RAY VEGA “VAMPIRELLA”
From the opening chords you know this is going to be an intricate display of surf melody. Ray’s voice is smoothe and sounds right at home with the previously instrumental trio. The songs have an underlying voice of their own
Vampirella starts it off with a strong maniacal intro which switches back and forth swimming between the beat and swelling accompanying guitar. The intense attack is aggressive and filled with grit and it’s own grammar. The Spanish lyrics fit in perfectly.
Moonlight Bath is a display to guitar frenzied accuracy. Once Again, Ray Vega croons for the music madness with a super catchy chorus and sometimes badass vibe.
But with all that said...Laisse Tomber Les filles, the only instrumental track, soars with melody. Anyone familiar with April March will have a field day with this song. The melody continues throughout the song with guitar skats over each movement.
As far as surf music goes this a three song goldmine of complex guitar strumming and structure. I see the group is heading for a huge impact both technically and emotionally. Bravo guys 5-5
This 7” release will be available December 18th from Pi records
The Spiratones - New free single, 'Night of the Golden Sun'.
The Spiratones (double) dare you to journey into the shadows, to venture through the darkness, to eyeball the abyss and not falter as terror creaks across your soul. Only then, surrounded by midnight, will you be able to confront the horror that lurks within, to cast a singular, dazzling spotlight on fear itself... are you ready for your very own... Night of the Golden Sun...
The Spiratones present a double feature of classic scares. Night of the Golden Sun, is accompanied by a live version of 'Toecutter'.
Find it for free at bandcamp
New EP release from Black Valley Moon. Two vocal songs, and one instro. Digital version available now at Link Vinyl will be released 10/18 from Pi Records.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEORzkKcPE4
Northern California’s The Reverbivores announce the release of their second studio album “The Reverbivores Watch TV.”
Recorded in an era when masks were for Halloween and social distancing was for awkward office holiday parties, this album reflects the band’s vision of what TV was and yet could be. 12 original surf instrumentals ranging from trad to psych to punk and to things unknown, “The Reverbivores Watch TV” reminds us that life really isn’t so bad if you’ve got control of the remote.
Available September 25, 2020 on Bandcamp and all your favorite online music services.
"Apache" - An edgy take on this classic, featuring duelling Stratocasters; one with tape-echo and reverb played through a cranked Fender Super Reverb combo and another soaked in Univibe blasted through a Marshall stack. Originally recorded last year to be released under the auspices of my Blues/Rock band of 11 years, The HardChargers who featured this song (alongside Misirlou, Rumble and Surf Rider in the setlist).
A few months back during the height of the Covid 19 situation, I decided to make a more solid commitment to the surf and instrumental music I love and release this under a new banner, 'Los Caballos Mas Oscuras' (The Darkest Horses). My plan is to start this off as a 'recording only' project for the time being as a way to simply enjoy recording surf/instro tunes I love and enjoy creatively arranging layers of guitar tones for each part of the song, with a view to eventually writing some originals and possibly playing live with a solid lineup.
Here's the BandCamp link for the project - https://loscaballosmasoscuras.bandcamp.com
"The Impenetrable Arch of Probability" is a concept about the V2 rocket. It comes in a complicated hand-made cover with interesting and informative sleeve notes.
Here is a track from it: https://soundcloud.com/cordelia-records/the-melamine-division-plates-flight-technology-apples
And here is an accompanying single: https://alanjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/the-melamine-division-plates-rudolf-hermanns-supersonic-wind-tunnel
The Spiratones present their debut album - 'Sunworshipper'.
A buffet of beach-bound bangers, a surfeit of surf-instro stompers, a platter of garage rock clatter...
...Sunworshipper is out now on compact disc and as a digital download!
Available here:
Link
Staycation is the debut album by Diesel Marine. It is an homage to the reverb guitar instrumental. Sometimes trad, sometimes futuristic, Staycation is both evocative of yesterday while suggesting new possibilities. Dusty, rusty, fresh water sounds from a basement studio in Southeast Michigan.
To listen, purchase and learn more click the link below!
Captain Rico & the Ghost Band release their 1st album today.
Click on this link to discover: Link
Have a good listen and see you soon on the french basque coast.
