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Well I must say that Spikes is not the best place to see bands.
Actually I could barely see the bands at all, considering they were
all playing down in a hole as opposed to up on a stage. But that
aside
it was a fair sized room, and any place that has surf bands play
there
can't be all bad in my book.
First up was the Infrareds. They really seemed to be a bit more
laid back and more comfortable this night than most of thier shows.
Not that they don't play fast. But they didn't seem to be flying thru
the songs at break neck speed like a normal show. They were playing
their matching green Mustang guiar and bass. Anybody that doesn't
have their new cd "Sounds from the Darkroom" or their older
one "Recorded
on Microfilm" definitely pick them up. I higly recoomend these
killer
cds.
Next up was the Volcanics. I am blown away everytime I see these
guys by their following. They have a very tight knit group of friends
and Family that come out for thier shows, and usually stay around for
the other bands playing also. I'd say they brought about 20 to 50
people out for this gig, Very Impressive. These guys have mounds and
mounds of Energy. They do a mix of Heavy Trad. to a T styled songs
mixed with some killer high energy rave up/frat rompers(Vocals). I'm
usually not a big fan of when surf bands sing. But they do it so
fun and infectiously, that I can't help but feel the energy, and
get into the fun of their set. I Hear they are in the midst of
recording. This is one highly anticipated new release that everyone
should be on the look out for.
Last but not least was the band for which everyboy was really
pumped up to see, The Ghastly Ones. Except for a few one off slight
reunions for special events here and there, these guys haven't been
playing together for about 4 years I believe. They did a mix of
mostly songs from their first cd, and a song or 2 that were on Comps.
A couple cover songs that they've always played, such as "Cat on a
Hot Foam Board" originally by the New Dimensions, "Heartbeat" I
think by the Avengers VI. And then some New ones that they've been
writing/rehearsing. They had a new cdr of old and new songs and a
new t-shirt(unfortunetly no XXL). Norm the Drummer said they had
sold out all their merch, even before they went on stage. But they'll
be playing around more and they;ll have more at those shows.
They did an Encore of "Thunderhead" and one other song with(Big Wave
Dave from the Bomboras on Drums and Norm up at the Mic.)and had the
Crowd goin nuts. Durring their set there was quite a good crowd
down on the dance floor right infront of the band, some of which were
hoping around and dancing up a storm. I'd say there was about 10 to
15 of the hard core surf crowd there. Clint Beachwood and his wife
Sue, and Ran and his wife Dale had come up from San Diego.
Dano Ware from the Nebulas had flown out form the East Coast for this
show(Great to see ya man-hopefully next time with your band members).
Kristnea Hernandez, Miss Kay and her Husband Jim, San, Henry, Brent
and his Brother Mark, were just some of the people I noticed in the
crowd. Sorry if I missed anybody. It was so good to see the Ghastly
Ones out and shakin' off the graveyard dirt again.
Hope to alot more of that to come. They siad it was more of just a
rehersal than and actuall gig, as they were still getting the swing
of playing together again.
Sorry for a not more detailed list of songs, I just go for the
Good time, but don't take good notes and know song titles that well.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
Jeff,
As always, thanks so much for the show reports. It really helps
us "geographically challenged" folks to hear how things went first
hand. I'm hoping Kristena, Ran, and Dano can chime in too!
You got me very interested in The Volcanics too. I'm eager to hear
what they cook up.
Best,
BN
