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just back from the Bethlehem Pa. MUSIKFEST
overwhelming day, on so many levels
well, for starters, the heat! it hit 100 degrees and it's in a
valley; needless to say, it was a scorcher
but the thrill began when I picked up Robi of the Bitch Boys and
his 'better half' a/k/a 'The Goddess' on the corner of 8th Avenue and
14th St. outside the "L" train; I took the day off from my 'real
job', rented a car with a CD player (they gave me a BMW!); and off we
rode;
I met Robi last year at the WIPE OUT FESTIVAL (and, yes, 'The
Goddess' too), and we've remained close friends ever since; I got to
see the BITCH BOYS put on a blow-out show in Calella last year, and I
think the BITCH BOYS latest CD is an overwhelming killer CD; I was
able to turn Robi on to some of my favorite though what I call 'soft
twang' surf artists, e.g., The Blue Hawaiians and the Aqua Velvets --
and he totally dug their sound(s)
was at the MUSIKFEST last year for the RED ELVISES; and also last
SATURDAY for the RED ELVISES; today we caught three surfin' artists:
1:30 pm, it was the ELK-TONES! wonderful band, wonderful people; mix
older tradiitonal tunes with some great originals; play one of their
tunes on the next edition of TWANG SHEBANG (#24) - so watch/listen
for that; the band even uses a home-made theremin in their show!
neat effects and sounds.....this is band to watch for.....
then it was trying to survive the heat.....
5 pm, and it's the RIP CHORDS, doing a 'full set' (close to 90
minutes) - just great to re-connect with the guys; not a mere oldies
cover band by any means...please make note of that; guitarist Mitch,
especially on his "Ricks", really puts forth some major jangle/twang;
very impressed with these guys
7:15 pm - LOS STRAITJACKETS and the WORLD FAMOUS PONTANI SISTERS;
intense crowd pleasing set from this traveling twang drenched
circus; the girls seemed to be having an usually hilarious time up
there, and looking as gorgeous as ever - cheerleaders, cowgirls,
ballerinas, tap-dancin' high-hat chorus girls -- God bless 'em! They
come out every 4th or 5th song, on the average.
Los St-Jax again, I must say, were tight as Hell, mixing up their set
with fan favorites (TAILSPIN just gets me the most...yeah that one
slays me live); but I cannot help but mention that Danny Amis asked
me to bring the band and the girls out on stage -- WHAT A THRILL!
Flattered, yeah blown away by that. Me? Had the time of my life!
Should mention that the day before I was on the ROCKS OFF CRUISE that
circles lower Manhattan for almost 3 hours, with LOS STRAITJACKETS on
hand; they were so amazing last night....maybe the best I have seen
them since TEEN BEAT took over on drums; TEEN BEAT is a young,
energetic, precise drummer - he brings youth and high-flyin' rhythm
to the band -- they really seem to have taken to him playing with
them now....it really has come together perfectly; he's a great guy
too....told him I'm happy for him, and that he is a great addition to
an already great institution
VIVA LOS STRAITJACKETS sums it all up
special thanks and gratitude to a Higher Power that brought me so
much of a natural buzz and tremendous joy these last couple of days;
believe Robi (and of course 'The Goddess') are gonna swing by SATALLA
on Saturday August 13th for my show featuring THE CLAMS and SURF RES Q
all is well in SURF CITY
Unsteady Freddie
