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Great post Jim. At the beginning I did exactly as you described, I got a
couple of the comps you mentioned: Rock Don't Run (Vol 3 I think),
Bikini World (this convinced me that I did like surf; also features a
track from The Daytonas to tie us in to a previous thread, Del-Fi's Surf
Monsters (but it has a track from that band that must not be named);
Hard Rock Cafe put out a best of 60's surf comp on Rhino Records that
has a lot of the "classic" first wave 60's tunes on it, plus another
good intro to modern bands is Upstart Records "Beyond The Beach" which
has tracks by The Daytonas (again), Jon & The Nightriders, The Mermen,
The Halibuts, The Aqua Velvets, Huevos Rancheros, Laika & The
Cosmonauts, The Insect Surfers, The Ultras, Paul Johnson, and oddly
enough, Tin Machine (!!)
I also let loose a big D'OH when I see that I forgot The Woodies.
The Continental Magazine is a very good idea. Sometimes the music is a
bit hit or miss, but always a good sampling. It turned me on to The
Apemen and the Krontjong Devils among others.
If you like a little vocals with your surf, get the Best of The Trashmen
comp...besides who can resist "Surfin' Bird"? (BTW, I just saw "Full
Metal Jacket" again recently, I totally forgot that song is in there.
It's used in a very jarring way...totally cool)
Again, TFJ nailed it, I also recommend The MuSick records Ventures and
Shadows tributes, not only to hear some great tunes, but hear a sampling
of some cool bands. Also for the Shadows, get "The Shadows Are Go!"
compilation. Or go see The Troubadours!
Yes that is a lot of music to buy, and it takes time. But try to find
some choice compilations to see where you want to go next.
BN wrote:
>I would agree with many of the suggestions already posted, but as good as
>they all are, it would be quite the task to purchase even a small % of the
>discs mentioned. I'm not sure what your collection consists of aside from
>the groups you mentioned in your original post, but I would recommend
>getting some of the better compilations from which to make informed
>purchases. For music of the last decade or so, I can suggest the Rock Don't
>Run (volumes 1-3) on Spinout (although Vol 1 seems to be out of print) -
>this has a good representation of many of the benchmark bands already
>listed. Also, the Surf Monsters comp on Del Fi is really good - has both
>old and new stuff (including Bomboras, Satan's Pilgrims & The Space
>Cossacks). Muisck's Instrumental Fire is also a worthy investment, as is
>"Its a Bikini World" on Shanachie - most of those (except the last one)
>should be findable. Also, the Ventures & Shadows tributes on Musick (gives
>you a taste of the original compositions along with the sounds of today's
>bands), as does the Trashmen tribute on Double Crown. Del Fi also has some
>comps of the well-known classics, and I could suggest Rhino's Instrumental
>Music: Vol 5 / Surf as a good overview of that stuff (if that one is still
>out there)
>
>As for bands, like I said, the ones already mentioned are all great, but
>since we're helping you spend your money, I'll throw in a few more cents
>
>Satan's Pilgrims - Plymouth Rock (best of) - while I firmly believe one
>should own all of their material, only 3 out the 5 original CDs are still in
>print, plus with all this other stuff to buy, this would be a good baptism
>into Satan's Pilgrims.
>
>Bitch Boys - Ride the first Wave - although I've already reviewed this, I
>can recommend it again purely for the historical value (all the old obscure
>stuff) and for the dollar value - its one CD with 30 well-produced songs
>performed by one of the better bands around today.
>
>Bomboras - ditto my comments about Satan's Pilgrims above with the sad
>exception that there is not yet a "best of" double-CD, so you should try and
>find what you can from these guys (Dionysus records site would be a starting
>point). Their Head Shrinkin' Fun CD is out of print (ebay!) as is its sister
>release on Zombie A GoGo, The Ghastly Ones - A Haunting We Will Go (ebay!) -
>actually just stop reading right now and get on ebay and buy those two.
>
>>From Musick Records, get what you can from the Space Cossacks (2 CDs) and
>The Fathoms (Overboard), plus Pollo Del Mar (2 or 3 CDs)
>
>Lastly, I can suggest The Woodies, Slacktone (live CD is the most music for
>the money), Volcanos, Penetrators, Bambi Molesters, Apemen, Phantom Surfers
>(although I think their best is on vinyl only), The Krontjong Devils, Mach
>IV, El Caminos, Royal Fingers, Man or Astroman? (Is it, Destroy All
>Astromen, Project Infinity, Your Weight on the Moon and What Remains Inside
>a Black Hole would be my top 5 picks)
>
>For the old stuff, Astronauts (Surfin with/Competition Coupe & Rarities)
>Ventures Live in '65, Lively Ones (best of 1&2), Sentinals, Original
>Surfaris.
>
>I think that rant is easily worth $500 in CDs. You should also buy The
>Continental magazine (put out by Double Crown Records) - the last 3 or so
>issues come with a compilation CD and those are about $6 each - so for under
>$30, you can get 3 or 4 CDs full of music + the 'zine with reviews of a
>bunch of other bands (not to mention ads from record companies, bands and
>online stores).
>
>Both Double Crown and Zptduda ship really quick, so you'll likely have the
>stuff in a couple of days, so I have no problem giving in to mail order, but
>I don't live near any independent record stores that stock cool stuff.
>
>good luck
>
>
>toofastjim
>theNEBULAS
>
>www.thenebulas.com
>
>
>
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