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--- In , "Unsteady Freddie"
<schizofredric@y...> wrote:
>
> what is the current status of THE ATLANTICS?
>
> do they still exist in any form? play live?
>
> could use some info
Freddie,
What Jim and Gavin said. I am not yet familiar with their new
material, but some of their older 60's stuff is *the* shit. There is
some filler on that CBS Recordings 2 disc set, but when you realize
they put out something like 3 albums in less than a year you can see
why. They were very ahead of their time. War of the Worlds was
originally titled "World War III", which the record label didn't like.
It's a mini surf opera complete with a cacaphony in the middle of the
song to represent the war. They used reverb, echo, and pick scrapes to
great effect. They are one of the bands I'd love to go back in time to
see. Klas posted a link to some BBC newsreel footage that featured
them playing. It was incredible. Search the archives for that. They
were monster players and could really simulate the crushing waves and
fury of the surf. A monster band. Furious rhythm guitar and pounding
drums...it's way cool....I urge everyone to check them out.
The Space Cossacks covered several of their songs (Bombora and The
Crusher), and Ivan's new band The Madeira has continued that tradition
(I've heard them play Express to Baghdad and Giant). You can listen to
The Madeira's version of "Express to Baghdad" here:
Ivan is obviously a big fan and has posted in the past reviews of
their recent material. I recall he did recommend their new stuff. But,
like Gavin said, the main songwriter now is a new guy who replaced one
of the 2 guitar players from back in the day.
From their early catalog, check out: Bombora, Shark Attack, The
Crusher, War of the Worlds, Express to Baghdad, Giant, SOS, Stompede,
...they've got some great material. Very melodic and very
powerful....and really out there. Listen to SOS or Stompede...just
very unusually weird and cool *rocking* music with hypnotic pulsing
bass lines, pick scrapes, driving guitars, crazy drumming...it's
insane stuff! They are kind of a hybrid of Shadows and American surf,
but definitely have their own sound and style. I can't say enough good
things about them.
I am sure Ivan can add a ton to what we've said so far... ;-)
BN
PS Note that The Atlantics "Bombora" is not the same song as The
(Original) Surfaris "Bombora" - different tunes, same name.
