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Hey, of course I LOVE the idea of you guys putting together a big
surf show here in my Atlanta hometown, but Ivan is right about the
very real need to be cautious about overestimating the possible
turnout. I'd feel awful if any bands traveled here from other
states and played for less than 200 people, as they did during that
heavily promoted Surfari USA show back in '97, which was a box office
disaster.
There are LOTS of local surf bands who could "test the waters," so to
speak, before anybody committed to importing bands from other cities.
Why not set up something with The Surge, The Broken Spokes (whose
leader even deejays that cool LONGBOARDS AND LONGHORNS surf show on
WRAS 88.5), and El Capitan (the former leader of Captain Flumkin,
who's now got both Johnny Knox and Jet Powers in his lineup)?
And, Eddie, didn't you tell me about another new surf band that's
based in Athens (which is so close it's almost an Atlanta suburb)?
Seems to me you could set up something with three or four of those
acts at the new Atlanta Aquarium, or get a couple of 'em booked into
that otherwise awful Decatur Beach Party.
BTW, Seems it would be a cinch to get The Surge booked into the
latter, given Eddie's track record with playing one of Decatur's
other big outdoor festivals <wink>, but bear in mind that this "beach
party" is mostly a kiddie fest. Sure, they block off East Ponce and
fill the street up with sand, but that's mostly just so toddlers can
build sand castles while their parents stand around and beam and take
pictures. (During any approach made to the organizers, be sure to
drop constant references to all the Penetrators' little progeny!
Apparently that's the coin-of-the-realm with whoever puts the thing
on.)
Also, be aware that the music at the previous Decatur "beach party"
events has never been in any way related to surf/beach tunes before --
instead it's been mostly boring funk and tedious jazz -- so there
would be a bit of a hurdle to jump, I suspect. Stressing the all-
instrumental angle (No offensive lyrics to offend the little ones!)
and the playing-at-polite volume angle (Never too loud for tiny ears!)
would be ideal.
I attended two of these events in the past but left quickly both
times because the music was so dull, the beer was preposterously
overpriced, and I felt out-of-uniform without a stroller and diaper
bag. If you guys can overcome the first hurdle, I'll bring extra brew
money and disguise my Welsh Corgi in a bonnet and jumper.
--GREGORY NICOLL
S3 Agent #044
