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got to see plenty of live twangin' good music this week-end, and here's a quick
re-cap
Friday, May 27th: OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD, NYC
FIN-DICATORS made their debut live performance! Band is led by Bill 'Bong
Loard' Moffat, and I was most impressed with their show.
He's posted some pictures on the band's website, I believe?
I'll have some pictures coming soon too.
Plenty of 'trad' covers (PIPELINE, PENETRATION, APACHE, OUT OF LIMITS, MR. MOTO,
BAJA, etc) -- played very close to the originals, but still sounding strong.
Mr. Moffat was slamming so intensely on the whammy bar, he had to keep re-tuning
his guitar(s). Hey Bill, lighten up there buddy! Just kidding....
But towards the close of their set - when they did some originals, they really
started to gel beautifully -- especially on "Correr Las Olas" (did I spell that
right?), "Tangled Leash" and earlier the sweet "Surfin' At Sunset".
Fine band ya got there boys -- keep at it, keep playing live, and definitely
write some more originals b/c what I have heard so far is just mighty-fine.
THE 9TH WAVE came on second, and I gotta tell ya', this is the tightest I have
seen/heard this band live in a while, and frankly, I see them play a lot.
PHEARLESS PHRED has melded nicely into the band's line-up behind the drums,
keeping the surf beat alive n kickin' throught the set. I am told this is
pretty much the same set the band will play when they open for DICK DALE this
Friday June 3rd at "Toad's Place' in New Haven (Unsteady Freddie will be there
for sure rooting them on!!). Love their new tune "Tidal Wave" -- and "Time
Tunnel" (a CD title track), "Ridin' The Chop", "Last of the V8s" and "Fueled for
Surf", amongst others, answers my deep need for throbbing hot-rod surf played
live. This band totally delivers. And this was a 'warm-up' for the Dick Dale
show? LOOK OUT! WWW.9THWAVESURF.COM
THE COFFIN DAGGERS closed things out. WWW.COFFINDAGGERS.COM. We did an
interview before the show, and I expect to run that ON THE NEXT EDITION of
"Twang Shebang" if all goes as planned. New members Glen on drums, and Jed on
Farfisa have become integral players along side Pete on bass and Viktor on
guitar. I love this band! Live they are just a powerhouse mix of surf, twang,
sci-fi, spy-fi, jazz (yeah I hear jazz influences OK?), and 60's psychedelia.
Viktor busted at least 2 strings during the set, his playing was so intense!
Catch them at CBGB's June 11th. Dudes you kick ass!
Saturday, May 28th: APOCALYPSE LOUNGE, NYC:
THE PRESTON WAYNE 4 opened things with a blistering (playing and volume!) set of
instros, led by Preston Wayne himself. I got to meet these guys and catch them
live earlier this year at a NESMA Surf Summit in Somerville, Mass. The
'Apocalypse Lounge' is a downstairs little dive (that's actually being nice) but
still a decent setting for some intimate music, if you like it in someone's
unfinished basement....that's what it feels like to me. Setting aside, the band
played their hearts out. I like 'em a lot. Mix of retro, rockabilly, roots
rock, surf....hardcore in-your-face unrelenting. website to check them out:
THE NEBULAS -- no review because the band decided not to play. They arrived for
the show early, were parked outside. We did an interview for "Twang Shebang" -
which I thought was a pisser. I went downstairs to catch PRESTON WAYNE 4, and
after their set, went upstairs to discover the band had split. KUDOS to
"Strange Dave" for booking this show, and bringing the NEBULAS to NYC. They
played for me as part of a 2-band "Surf-Rock Shindig" last year at "The Cutting
Room' - with the SURFALICIOUS DUDES. "Strange Dave" was in attendance that
night, and dug 'em so much, he reached out to them to book them for this event.
Again, I am disappointed they didn't perform, but hey, that's their choice, so I
got nothing more to add to that situation. Gonna leave that "issue" to the band
and "Strange Dave" - it's their battle. Let you know when the interview is
gonna run. I will catch up with THE NEBULAS this July at the "LUAU BY THE LAKE"
in Chicago --
STRANGE BUT SURF lead by "Strange Dave" Rosenberg - this is the second time I've
caught them live. Big difference, lots of growth. "Strange Dave" did a
commendable job filling the void of THE NEBULAS no-show, and the band's mix of
organ-based jazz, rock n roll, and jam-style was peppered with enough surf and
twang to make this observer happy. Some new originals were introduced...the
band has clearly been rehearsing a lot. Happily impressed with what I came away
with.
Sunday, May 29th: THE TRIUMPH BREWERY, New Hope, Pa.:
THE SHARKSKINS -- OH, MY, GOD! This band is a must-see live act! Looking sharp
as ever in their blue blazers and skinny ties, they simply smoked and stoked. I
cannot get enuf of these guys. two great sets, in a terrific venue. Reverb
tanks galore, with giant glistening beer tanks hovering above them. Bill Moffat
showed up for the second set. Got lots of pictures of them, (and all the other
shows I spoke of here). Their music is MOSTLY "trad" tunes, played with glee
and perfection. Buddy Love Goo and Dash Rip Rock trading lead and rhythm - in
complete sync with one another. Rod Bearings (surf-beat drums) and Javier Bel
Air (bass) kept the back-beat burning. Their original tune "The Mild Bunch
Rides Again" - spaghetti western surf track - was just wondrous!! All
cylinders pumping! www.thesharkskins.com.
For me, the East Coast certainly gave the West Coast a run for their money this
week-end!
Thanks to everyone for some great music, and warm comraderie
Bless you all - I am most grateful!!
Unsteady Freddie
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